Connecticut State Department of Public Health

The Federal Government has reopened COVIDtests.gov. Every household can order four over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for free. These tests are intended for use throughout the 2024 holiday season to detect currently circulating COVID-19 variants. Please visit COVIDtests.gov for your free test.

Community Public Water Systems

Communications

  • Review and update the emergency contact information of key water system personnel.
  • Provide updated key personnel contact information to CWS staff and DPH Drinking Water Section, including a valid email address for all administrative contacts
  • Have a clear and consistent message for response to customer questions regarding COVID-19 and safety of tap water in the midst of the outbreak per EPA and CDC guidance.
  • Routinely check DPH website for latest Circular Letters to PWS and COVID-19 updates

Staffing

  • Consider staffing schedule modifications including staggering work hours, telework opportunities and/or deployment of field staff from home if and when possible.
  • Limit staff travel, especially out of state travel, as much as possible.
  • Consider enabling/adding greater remote SCADA control of wells and treatment facilities for certified operators, if applicable.

Operations

  • Prioritize actions that are essential for continued operations of CWSs. These may include:
    • Maintenance of chemical treatment systems.
    • Monitoring of essential water quality parameters and chemical residuals.
    • Ensuring compliance for all acute water quality parameters.
    • Topping off chemical supplies and storage tanks.
    • Topping off emergency generators and fuel tanks.
    • Investigation of lab capabilities and lab contingency plans for any required sampling.
    • Modifying sample plans as necessary and communicating changes with DPH.
  • Decide which actions are nonessential and could possibly be deprioritized or suspended, especially actions that may cause face to face interaction with customers. These may include:
    • Nonessential work orders.
    • Cross connection inspections.
    • Watershed inspections.
    • Closing of in-person customer payment stations.
  • Ensure PPE and guidance for PPE use is available for staff.
  • Suspend any nonpayment customer shut offs to sustain hygiene and sanitation during the outbreak per Attorney General Tong’s Moratorium on Utility Shut-Offs.