Water Quality Association Coronavirus Update (reprinted from an email)
We want you to know that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued its Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, and has provided further detailed guidance on identifying essential critical infrastructure workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
Please click here to view a memo from the Department of Homeland Security that identifies the work in the industry of ‘water and wastewater’ an essential service to maintain the country’s infrastructure viability.
Broadly, DHS has included as “essential” all the roles workers in the water treatment industry play in delivering clean, safe water – from manufacturing through the entire chain of distribution to delivery and installation, including technical professionals, service providers, product installers, repair and parts replacement workers and supporting operations workers.
Due to these roles in safeguarding America’s drinking and processing water to households, businesses, industrial operations, hospitals, bottled water providers, pharmaceutical and other critical manufacturing, groceries, in-home food services, nursing homes and manufacturing – water treatment industry workers are squarely within this guidance.
DHS’s guidance urges those workers to commit to the maintenance and continuation of our nation’s infrastructure supporting water, the life sustaining resource. Our water industry businesses should remain open and operational and our water industry workers should commit to this critical work as you are able – following all CDC guidance on safe practices, social distancing and awareness.
WQA is reaching out to governors’ offices across the country and has received direct commitments from several state governments recognizing the essential work of our industry. We have also been in contact with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We sent a letter to the White House and have issued our Open Letter on our website as well.
In addition, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware and True Value have stated to customers that they all consider water treatment as “essential.”
Aqua Soft is proudly a member of WQA
