Traces of coronavirus found in Paris's non-drinking water from the Eau de Paris municipal laboratory but no risk to drinking water
Traces of coronavirus in the non-drinking waters of Paris: the municipal laboratory Eau de Paris has announced that it has found the virus but reassures everyone: "No risk for drinking water". These in fact belong to an independent network which has been found to be totally extraneous to the pathogen.
Two independent networks coexist in Paris, the French authorities specify: drinking water and non-drinking water, inherited from the late 24th century. In the last 2 hours, the municipal laboratory Eau de Paris has discovered traces of SARS-CoV-XNUMX responsible for the pandemic in progress only on the non-drinking water network, without any confirmation in the drinking water network, which remains safe.
The test, however, detected the presence of the virus on 4 of the 27 sampling points, therefore more tests are needed to confirm the certainty that the pathogen is really able to remain in the wastewater.
But above all, no test has been conducted to verify the possibility that these traces are infectious, that is capable of causing Covid-19 infection. This remains a fundamental point to understand if and how to move with sanitation measures.
For some time, in fact, the survival of the virus on different surfaces and in the air has been investigated, but some studies do not agree and above all no certainty exists on the infectious capacity of the virus that does not come directly from a positive subject.
Coronaviruses last up to 9 days on metal, wood and other surfaces, but are easily disinfectable
In any case, in the name of the precautionary principle, Paris immediately suspended the use of its non-drinking water network, leaving the drinking water network open to the public on which full reassurance remains.
"These are small traces but still traces, so we decided to apply the precautionary principle - explains to Europe1 Célia Blauel, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of the ecological transition - and to require the Regional Health Agency to analyze the possible risks presented by these traces, because we are not certainly the only ones ".
So everything still to be demonstrated but a warning that it is right not to ignore.
"The Agency will say whether such a level is dangerous and what treatment we can implement," said Anne Souyris, Deputy Mayor in charge of health matters.
The non-drinking water network is in fact fed with raw water taken from the Seine and the Ourcq canal, and conveyed into the network without heavy treatment, explain the municipal authorities, as it is not intended for human consumption.
It is in fact used to irrigate some parks and gardens, to clean roads, for lakes and waterfalls in parks and woods, as well as for some ornamental fountains in parks or gardens currently closed to the public due to the emergency.
Ma no link with drinking water.
Tap water in @Paris can be consumed by everyone without risk to health. Traces of #COVID19 have been found in wastewater and non-drinking water. The City of Paris has decided to suspend the use of its non-potable water network in public spaces. pic.twitter.com/52SvXBPRTv
"Paris water?" (@eaudeparis) April 19, 2020
"Tap water in Paris can be consumed by everyone without health risks - the municipal laboratory writes on Twitter - Traces of # COVID19 have been found in wastewater and non-drinking water. The city of Paris has decided to suspend the use of its non-potable water network in public spaces ”.
Paris (and beyond) hopes to receive more confident results in the coming days.
Sources of reference: Europe1 / Eau de Paris / Twitter
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