March 13, 2020

In the midst of growing fears about the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) and the cities of Grass Valley (GV) and Nevada City (N/C) want to reassure the public that treated tap water is safe to drink. The local water systems are interconnected and can ensure water quality in our region.

“NID’s treatment processes are specifically designed to protect the public from viruses and harmful bacteria,” said Chip Close, NID’s manager of operations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has noted that the “COVID-19 is a type of virus that is particularly susceptible to disinfection and standard treatment and disinfectant processes are expected to be effective.”

The Agency confirmed the virus has not been detected in drinking water, adding “conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19,” noted an EPA March 12 announcement. “Based on current evidence, the risk to water supplies is low. Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual.”

NID, GV and N/C place the highest priority on protecting the health and safety of our customers and the public. We rely on advanced operation and maintenance of our drinking water distribution systems to assure the highest quality drinking water to our customers.

Our water treatment plants are state-of-the-art facilities that incorporate the latest technologies for filtration and chlorination, which remove and treat pathogens at the plant. Treatment facilities are continuously monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure the safety and well-being of the drinking water supply.

Learn more:

Learn more about how NID safeguards its treated water supply in the District’s annual water quality report.

The Center of Disease Control has issued information on “Water Transmission and COVID-19“ for drinking water, wastewater and recreational water.