City of Coeur d'Alene - Wastewater & Water System

 

This demonstration by the Coeur d’Alene Waster  Water Department shows what happens to various material that have been soaked and agitated over 34 minutes. The toilet tissue on the left has already broken down, the paper towels and premoistened wipes in the center jars are intact, and the facial tissue on the right has broken down only slightly. See the website for additional information: www.cdaid.org/FlushingGuidelines

Wastewater: Only Toilet Tissue is Flushable

The City of Coeur d’Alene Wastewater Department is advising the community to flush nothing but toilet tissue.  While using paper towels, “flushable wipes,” and facial tissue during a state of emergency sounds like a good idea, please remember that these products are still garbage and should be treated as such. These items have a high probability of clogging your drain line resulting in a call to a plumber that could be avoided. Please keep a garbage can by your toilet should you need to utilize one of the alternative products.

City’s Water System Can’t Spread Coronavirus

The City of Coeur d’Alene’s public water system routinely provides high quality and safe water through our normal disinfection practices. Chlorine is a proven disinfection method against viruses and the City Water Department utilizes sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) in our water production process year-round. The Water Department maintains a .2 milligram per liter residual throughout the system at all times.

According to Terry Pickel, Water Department Director for the city, with the drastic measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ten operational wells serving the city are monitored and physically checked seven days a week to ensure proper operation and optimal disinfection processes are supported. Staff check residual chlorine levels daily. And treatment information is supplied to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on a monthly basis as they review our operations to ensure we are operating under strict Drinking Water guidelines.

As COVID-19 appears to be transmitted mainly by an airborne process or through physical contact, proper personal space and hygiene is the best prophylaxis. There has not been a case connected to direct transmission by any water supply to date.

Bleach Provides a Alternative to Disinfecting Sprays, Wipes

In view of the strain on supplies of disinfecting sprays and wipes, chlorine bleach can be an effective alternative. An effective cleaning solution (50-100 parts per million) can be made by mixing one teaspoon of 5 percent household chlorine bleach to one gallon of water and utilizing a spray bottle to spray surfaces for disinfection. Contact time on the surfaces sprayed should be a minimum of seven seconds to allow for proper treatment before wiping with a clean dry cloth or paper towel.

If you want to create an effective wet wipe, mix two teaspoons of bleach per gallon of water and soak a clean, uncolored cloth to produce an effective disinfectant wipe. Make sure to use proper hand protection (gloves) as strong solutions of chlorine can easily irritate the skin.  Again, make sure to allow a minimum seven seconds before wiping dry. Make sure NOT to wash any chlorine-soaked cloth with colored clothing, blankets or towels as it will ruin them (bleach out colors). As stronger chlorine solutions have a shorter shelf life, make sure to change the solution frequently if not used within a few days.     

For the latest information on the coronavirus visit the Panhandle Health District website: http://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19/.