With all the recent panic surrounding the Novel Coronavirus, many people are looking for any way to protect themselves. Here in the plumbing world, one thing we’ve seen customers ask recently is, “do water filters stop viruses?” Now more than ever, it’s important to listen to experienced professionals when looking for information on how to stay safe. Keep reading for the facts you should know, and make sure to call AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric the next time you’re looking for skilled plumbers you can trust.
Spreading Viruses Through Water Droplets
As with the flu and many other respiratory viruses, Covid-19, the Coronavirus disease, can be spread in small droplets. These droplets may be released from an infected person’s nose or mouth, with a single cough producing as many as 3,000 droplets.
According to the latest research, the Coronavirus may be able to survive in droplets for roughly three hours after entering your air. But while the virus may circulate through air conditioning systems without a filter, it is likely to only live a couple hours at most as aerosol droplets. The bigger concern is surfaces. New studies suggest that the virus may be able to survive for up to 24 hours on cardboard, and between two to three days on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces, including door handles, plastic-coated or laminated worktops, and other hard material. It has been suggested that copper may kill the virus quicker, though for now, the best method for getting rid of droplets appears to be disinfecting with alcohol.
But what happens if these droplets somehow end up in your water supply?
Essentially, here’s what you need to know: droplets carrying the virus are roughly one to five micrometers in size. That’s roughly 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. And again, while these droplets can remain in the air, the bigger concern is finding them on surfaces. So for them to enter your water, someone would essentially have to cough right into your water supply, or dump your water on an infected surface first.
As of now, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has stated there is no evidence of the COVID-19 virus being transferred through municipal drinking water, nor is there any evidence of it spreading through pools or hot tubs. There does seem to be a small chance that it could spread through sewage, but again, research is not conclusive on this front. Bottom line: you are unlikely to catch the virus through your drinking water.
Should I Purchase a Water Filter to Protect Myself?
Even though your water supply may not be your biggest concern right now, it is still a good idea to do everything you can to protect yourself. Drinking lots of clean drinking water helps boost your immune system—which is extremely important for fighting all kinds of dangerous viruses. Contact AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric today for water filters and softeners designed to give you great-tasting drinking water that will help keep you happy and healthy. We understand there is a lot of confusion during these trying times, but our helpful home service professionals are here to do whatever we can to ensure you always feel safe and secure.
To schedule an appointment for water filter installation, call (303) 313-3333 now, or click here to request service online.
