The water industry has raised chlorine levels by 40% in piped water to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic, head of Hygiene Department at the Tehran-based National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company of Iran (Abfa) said.
“This was done based on international health protocols and does not pose any health hazard,” Koushyar Azam Vaqefi was quoted as saying by ISNA.
In normal conditions utilities adjust maximum chlorine levels at 0.7 milligram per liter. Nonetheless, since the outbreak of coronavirus in January, Abfa has gradually increased the level to 1 milligram, up 40%, he added.
Reassuring that at this level, no harmful health effects could occur, he said, “Chlorine levels up to 4 mg/l or 4 parts per million (ppm) are considered safe for drinking water. But there will be no need to add that amount of chlorine to tap water.”
Although chlorinated water can taste and smell different than untreated water, studies by the World Health Organization show using or drinking water with limited amounts of chlorine does not have negative health effects and provides protection against waterborne diseases.
“Regional water companies monitor water quality regularly to ensure supply of safe drinking water.”
Chlorine, a strong oxidizing and disinfecting agent, has been used for decades as the main disinfectant in water treatment.
According to the official, wastewater is managed in compliance with stringent hygiene rules and to also protect the environment.
Unlike other water facilities where chlorine level is 1 milligrams per liter, in the sewage treatment facility of Tehran’s Behesht Zahra Cemetery (where dead bodies including Covid-19 victims are washed) the chlorine level is kept at 2.5 milligrams per liter to ensure that pathogens (coronavirus or other viruses) do not penetrate and pollute underground water resources.
Discolored Water
Referring to major causes of discolored drinking water in some regions, Vaqefi said brown, murky, cloudy or otherwise discolored tap water has nothing to do with chlorination and people do not need to use bottled water.
While such factors can vary across regions, seasons and water sources, water systems may encounter many common issues, he said.
“Extra air trapped in or moving through water can give it a milky white or cloudy appearance. This is not a matter of concern.”
Furthermore, when cast iron and lead pipes corrode over time, rust and other pipe materials flake off into the water. Iron and manganese produce an orange-to-brown color, while lead may make the water darker and include tiny particles.
Rubber plumbing material, such as gaskets or O-rings, can break down into visible black particles in water. As with organic material, more pipe materials dislodge when water flows more quickly through service lines.
The water official added that discoloration doesn’t necessarily mean water is not clean. However, consumers should always investigate changes in the water color, smell and taste.
“If your water is milky or opaque, let it sit in a glass until bubbles rise. If the cloudiness disappears, it was caused by air and is not a health concern.”
The Covid-19 virus has not been and will never be detected in drinking water “because our drinking water disinfection practices provide the means to control most pathogenic bacteria and viruses responsible for waterborne diseases,” Azam Vaqefi noted.
Covid-19 is a type of virus that is particularly susceptible to disinfection. Standard treatment and disinfectant processes at wastewater treatment plants are expected to be and must be effective.
According to the Majlis Research Center, the research arm of the Iran’s Parliament, water consumption reached 145 million cubic meters per day over the last six months, up 40% compared to the same time a year before.
The number of deaths linked to the coronavirus pandemic in Iran topped 18,500 on Monday. Over 285,000 have survived the respiratory illness and 4,300 were in critical condition.
Worldwide, coronavirus patients surpassed 19.5 million and deaths reached 730,000.
