The following is a statement from American Water:
At American Water, the health and safety of our customers, communities, and employees is our top priority. We provide an essential service that is critically important and much like many other companies in the U.S., and across the globe, American Water has established coronavirus preparedness plans.
To minimize the risk of exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19), we have initiated our business continuity plans to help provide additional stability to our operations that include water/wastewater services to your homes and businesses.
American Water continues to monitor situational updates provided by the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization and Johns Hopkins University as well as other state and federal organizations. We are continuously evaluating the situation and latest developments to determine how we can adopt and amend measures, as necessary, to support our customers and communities we serve and our employees.
It is important for you to know that American Water’s drinking water treatment barriers provide protection that includes filtration and disinfection of our surface water supplies (e.g., those from lakes, reservoirs, or rivers) and disinfection of our groundwater sources (e.g., underground wells). These treatments are effective in removing and/or inactivating viruses. Our water meets all current federal and state drinking water requirements.
For additional information about the coronavirus and drinking water and wastewater please visit:
- Environmental Protection Agency – Americans can continue to use and drink water from their tap as usual
- World Health Organization – Water treatment practices effective against COVID-19, WHO says
In an effort to keep our customers safe during the coronavirus pandemic, American Water will be placing a moratorium and discontinuing service shut-offs at this time. We will continue to evaluate this moratorium as more information becomes available. Additionally, American Water will begin the restoration of service to previously shut-off customers. The restoration may take some time, but we will work as quickly and safely as possible. If a customer has had their service turned off, prior to March 12, 2020, we will restart their service.
American Water has been focused on two high priorities as the spread of the coronavirus as evolved – the health and safety of our employees and the health and safety of our customers. As such, American Water will also be suspending all non-essential field appointments and will limit the amount and nature of contact with customers during all emergency field appointments.
We will continue to communicate with you if and when there is new information. As always, thank you for your trust in American Water as we continue to provide you with safe, clean, reliable water and wastewater services.
This information is also posted on our website at www.newjerseyamwater.com. Feel free to share this link with your constituents.
Sincerely,
David Mayer Denise Venuti Free
Director, Government Affairs Director of Communications & External Affairs
New Jersey American Water New Jersey American Water
609-505-3310 856-449-7357
