The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services assured the public in a statement that tap water is still safe to drink during the COVID-19 outbreak.

COVID-19 has not shown to be a water-borne illness, according to the Metropolitan Utilities District, which serves the Omaha area. Water samples at treatment facilities are checked over 1,000 times per day, and there has been no compromise at any facility.

The DHHS still recommends that people consider keeping a supply of bottled water in case of self-isolation. This is not because drinking water is unsafe, but because “it is easiest to use bottled water rather than sanitizing water glasses that might be shared with the rest of the household.”

M.U.D. also said that it would not shut off any water for non-payment until further notice to “ensure customers have access to tap water for drinking, cooking and thorough hygiene practices.”