How can we maintain cleanliness of public water pump handles?

Public water pump handles can be contaminated by users' hands. We recommend the following measures to keep handles clean: 

1. Installation of a handwashing facility next to the pump so that users wash hands before using the water pump. Read this guide for more information about creating handwashing facilities.

2. Cleaning and disinfection of the water pump handles as frequently as possible following the procedure explained above for high-touch surfaces in households - i.e. application of 0.1% chlorine or 70% ethanol for 1 minute, ensuring full coverage of the pump handle surface with disinfectant. 

Want to know more? 

• How do diseases transmit via surfaces?

• What does “detection” mean when discussing viruses in the environment?

• How can surfaces get contaminated with SARS-CoV-2?

• How long does SARS-CoV-2 survive on surfaces?

• To what extent can SARS-CoV-2 be transferred between surfaces and hands?

• What type of surface cleaning and disinfection should we promote for homes and workspaces?

• How resistant is SARS-CoV-2 to disinfection?

• Useful resources on surface disinfection

Editor's Note

Author: Karin Gallandat
Review: Karen Levy, Jacqueline Knee, Sian White, Robert Dreibelbis
Last Update: 15.04.2020