The authority has brought in new regulations to deal with the contamination
Translated by Thomas Ansell
Spores of the Coronavirus live on in waste-water, says the Wetterskip Fryslân, following research by the RIVM. Water was tested in Amsterdam, Tilburg, and Loon op Zand- and genetic material matching the virus was found in waste-water in each. It is likely to have been flushed down the toilet, or drains. No tests have yet been carried out in Friesland, however the water authority has brought in a new package of measures to be carried out at each of the 27 waste-water treatment plants in the province, reports the Omrop Fryslân.
The RIVM has said that it is important that no-one comes into contact with contaminated water, and that inhaling any vapours from waste-water should also be avoided. Though tests will not be carried out in Friesland, the water authority suggests that it is likely that the virus will be found there too: and will have been expelled by hospital drains.
Naturally, the water authority will be ensuring that everything is treated before the water makes it back to our taps: water is already fully purified as there are several dangerous bacteria and other illness-causing microbes in waste-water as it is.
Wetterskip Fryslân is now bringing in new regulations to make sure its water is as pure as possible, and to protect staff. There are now fewer physical staff members at each treatment plant, said Hans de Vries, from the Wetterskip. Anyone that works with the water has been supplied with special overalls, gloves, masks; and shoes. “But that is standard protocol anyway”, said De Vries.
Image by Michal Jarmoluk via Pixabay
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