ADEM: No Need to Worry About Drinking Water

ADEM: No Need to Worry About Drinking Water

By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabamians have no reason to worry about their drinking water amidst the COVID-19 crisis, says the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).

"With so many things Alabamians have to worry about — their jobs, social distancing, the welfare of loved ones, gathering food and other necessities — the safety of their drinking water shouldn't be one of them," said Lance LaFleur, ADEM's director. “The water they get from their tap, whether it’s from a large municipal system or a small, rural utility, is 100 percent safe due to the proven safety requirements they are required to follow and that ADEM enforces. People don’t need to fear the coronavirus as far as their water is concerned.”

According to a statement made by ADEM on Monday, standard municipal wastewater operations kill any viruses before the treated water is discharged into rivers and streams. LeFleur stated through permitting and inspections, ADEM is ensuring drinking water systems, as well as wastewater systems, abide by stringent clean water standards.

"Ensuring that drinking water and wastewater services are fully operational is critical to containing COVID-19 and protecting Americans from other public health risks," said Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Handwashing and cleaning depend on providing safe and reliable drinking water and effective treatment of wastewater."

For more information, please visit www.adem.alabama.gov.

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