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1. Can COVID-19 (coronavirus) get into my drinking water?

The new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, does not present a threat to the safety of your drinking water. COVID-19 is transmitted person-to-person, not through water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CVWD delivers naturally filtered groundwater to its customers from deep-water wells installed (drilled) in local aquifers. Chlorine used to kill viruses, including coronaviruses, as well as bacteria and other pathogens is added to your tap water as a precautionary disinfectant. 

CVWD’s staff continuously monitors the public water systems and they collect samples that are tested in CVWD’s state-certified laboratory to ensure tap water meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water regulations.

2. Can CVWD continue treating and delivering water if COVID-19 spreads?

CVWD maintains an extensive system of reservoirs, water treatment plants and pipelines to deliver safe and reliable water service to customers. The system includes multiple layers of redundancy to ensure continued deliveries, even during a disruption.

CVWD has an Emergency Response Team and existing protocols for situations such as a pandemic. A task force is also meeting regularly to discuss preparedness and protocol tactics. 

In addition, CVWD has taken several steps to protect the health of its employees by minimizing potential exposure to avoid widespread impacts to our workforce. 

Lastly, CVWD’s task force has ensured it has the necessary backup equipment, essential supplies and treatment chemicals in the event of disruptions to the supply chain for these items. 

3. Do I need to stockpile bottled water?

We want to reassure you that your tap water is both safe to drink and reliable. There is no reason to believe that COVID-19 will have any impact on the local water supply.

One of the primary ways to minimize the spread of this disease is to practice social distancing and reduce unnecessary outings. The public is encouraged to stay home, and avoid panic shopping and stockpiling bottled water. CVWD’s tap water remains high quality and available. 

4. Do I need to install a water filter?

Drinking water provided by CVWD meets all federal and state water quality standards. Water filters may change the taste of tap water, but they are not necessary.

Be cautious of any salesperson who claims that CVWD sent him or her to test your water. CVWD would never send a salesperson to your home. Also be wary of those who test your water and claim that your water quality is unsafe. 

5. Are CVWD’s offices still open for business?

CVWD offices are closed to the public following public health recommendations but we are still working to support our customers online and by phone.

We encourage our customers to manage their  accounts online as most service-related needs can be requested online or by calling (760) 391-9600.  We also ask anyone doing business with the CVWD to do so by telephone, email, or online at www.cvwd.org.

6. Will I be fined for increased indoor water use?

CVWD allocates a reasonable amount of water based on each customer’s needs and does not fine customers for water use.  

Residential water budgets include an indoor budget and an outdoor budget. The monthly indoor water budget (tier 1) for CVWD customers is about 6,000 gallons of water per household, which is equal to 50 gallons of water per person, per day for a family of four. 

Customers can request a larger indoor water budget if more people live in your home by calling (760) 391-9600. 

Outdoor water budgets (tier 2) are calculated individually for all residential and large landscape customers. 

Learn more about CVWD rates. 

7. How can I be more water efficient at home?

Here are some tips on how to be more water efficient inside and outside your home. 

Indoors

• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. 
• Check your faucets and toilets for leaks.
• Reduce your faucets’ water flow in half by installing inexpensive aerators. Purchase aerators at your local hardware store. You can also conserve water by reducing the water pressure. Do this by turning down the valve under the sink that supplies water to the faucet.
• Shorten your shower by a few minutes or install a water-efficient shower head.
• Thaw food in the refrigerator rather than under running water. 
• Replace appliances and fixtures with water-efficient models.

Outdoors 

• Adjust your sprinklers with the seasons. Use our watering guide for recommended irrigation times.Use a broom to clean patios, walk ways and driveways instead of the garden hose according to state law. A typical 5/8" garden hose can use 12 to 15 gallons a minute.
• Keep your sprinklers off after a good rainstorm for about 2-3 days according to state law.
• Apply water in the early morning or evening hours to minimize loss through evaporation, especially when temperatures are high. But every rule has an exception: you may need to split up your watering to multiple times throughout the day if your yard has fast drainage or sandy soil for better absorption.
• Turn off your sprinklers on windy days to avoid water waste. Winds blow water away from plants and cause it to evaporate more rapidly. 
• Pull out weeds before they steal valuable moisture and nutrients that should go to your plants. 
• Use mulch to help plants retain water. It improves your water efficiency by insulating the soil, improving soil structure, curtailing weed growth, preventing soil crusting and reducing the need for cultivation. Mulches include organic matter such as ground bark, redwood sawdust and compost. 
• Set your lawn mower to a higher setting; longer grass keeps the soil moist.

8. Where can I learn more about COVID-19 and water?

EPA: “Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual.”  Learn more at www.epa.gov

CDC: “The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. 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.” Learn more at www.cdc.gov