Coronavirus (COVID-19): What You Need to Know
Zellwood Water Users, Inc. is following the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation closely. We are following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Department of Health and our local health and emergency response officials.
Our focus is to increase preventative actions to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in order to keep our customers, employees and community healthy. We encourage you to stay informed and consider the CDC website as a resource for further information.
We have shared with our employees the preventative measures provided by the CDC on how they can minimize the risk of catching COVID-19.
We have robust emergency operations and business continuity plans that include the possibility of a health emergency. We have already and will continue to update them for COVID-19, as necessary, to meet our service obligations and ensure the safety of our customers and community.
Is my water safe?
Yes, your water is safe.According to the 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.”
Further, according the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA), current treatment methods used by Zellwood Water Users, Inc. in our water treatment facilities are sufficient to disinfect water for contaminants, including COVID-19. Groundwater sources would not be sources for COVID-19 and existing required testing throughout our distribution system requires a chlorine residual to ensure water is clean and safe for consumption.
Should I be concerned about COVID-19 in my drinking water?
According to the CDC, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person in the following ways:
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. However, according to the CDC, “this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
Are you aware of any employees who have been exposed to COVID-19?
We are not aware of any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 among our employees. If this were to change, we would work with state and local public health officials to address the issue and protect the health of employees and customers.
Will the utility office remain open?
Due to mandatory stay-at-home order issued by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and closures of Orange County schools and other resources, the Zellwood Water Users, Inc. utility office at 3262 Robinson Street and the new business office at 5701 Jones Avenue will be closed to the public. The office will reopen to the public when the mandatory stay-at-home order is removed.
Payments can be made online or placed in the office drop box. If you typically pay your bill with cash, please use a money order instead.
You can always reach us by phone at 407-886-4430 and by email at Marvin@ZellwoodWater.com. The after-hours emergency number is 407-494-1955.
Where can I find more information about COVID-19?
More information is available at:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Florida Department of Health