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COVID-19: Local Public Service Announcements

Posted on: April 2, 2020 - 11:34am

World Health Organization: How to Report Misinformation
To help stop the spread of inaccurate information about Coronavirus, the WHO offers helpful tips on reporting suspected misinformation: https://www.who.int/campaigns/connecting-the-world-to-combat-coronavirus/how-to-report-misinformation-online

NHDES Wants Residents to Take Care of Their Septic Systems
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) urges residents to be cautious with the use of strong antibacterial cleaning materials and disposing of those materials in septic systems. Introducing large volumes of these cleaning agents to septic system can have detrimental effect on the bacteria that are vital to the function of a healthy system. Without the essential bacteria in a septic tank and/or in the effluent disposal area (leachfield) the system will prematurely fail resulting in the system having to be replaced. Replacing a system in failure can be a very expensive undertaking that could be avoided with careful and proper use.

NHDES has noticed increased percentage of applications to replace failed individual sewage disposal systems (septic systems) over that last few months as compared to 2019. During the spring months, NHDES normally receives higher numbers of applications for the replacement of failed systems most likely due to amount of rain and snow melt. However, this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people are now working remotely from home. A hydraulic overload on systems (too much water) resulting from the increased use of home septic systems may be contributing to the increased number of failures. Equally important to consider is the disposal of strong cleaning materials in septic systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the New Hampshire State Government encourage regular personal hygiene and extensive cleaning of homes and businesses to deter the spread of the virus, but be careful as to the amount of these cleaning solutions go down the drain to your septic system.

If you have not yet, please also read the NHDES Press Release dated March 24, 2020 regarding what materials should and should not be flushed down the toilet. This press release can be found at https://www.des.nh.gov/media/pr/2020/20200324-flush.htm. Additionally, NHDES wants to remind residents that septic tanks should be pumped every three to five years. More information about proper septic system maintenance can be found at https://getpumpednh.com/ .

If you have additional questions, please contact Jim Martin, NHDES Public Information Officer, at [email protected] or (603) 271-3710.

Do not flush disinfecting wipes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is encouraging all Americans to only flush toilet paper, not disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items that should be disposed of in the trash. Flushing only toilet paper helps ensure that the toilets, plumbing, sewer systems and septic systems will continue working properly to safely manage our nation’s wastewater. While EPA encourages disinfecting your environment to prevent the spread of COVID-19, never flush disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items. These easy steps will keep surfaces disinfected and wastewater management systems working for all Americans. For more information on this public service announcement, visit: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-encourages-americans-only-flush-toilet-paper

For an educational and highly entertaining video on this topic, please watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtK0k9Ilelw

Bristol property assessment continues
Bristol Residents,

In light of the Governor’s announcement regarding the State of Emergency, we feel the need to be responsible and safe, and want to keep our residents informed. The Town’s assessors from Commerford Nieder Perkins will be continuing their data verification procedures for the assessing work that needs to be completed this year.  They will however, not be performing interior inspections at this time, but will knock on your door to let you know they are there.  They will also leave a door tag.  If you are home and not feeling well please do not open the door to greet them, but rather acknowledge their presence through a door or window.  However, if you are able to review your interior information with the assessor at the door please feel free, otherwise at some point in the future you will receive a letter, or phone call in some instances, to schedule and/or verify interior information.

The safety of the company’s staff and our residents is top priority so we appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Protect yourself and your business from increased cyber attacks

Proper way to remove gloves
Town of Bristol Fire Chief Ben LaRoche demonstrates the proper and safe way to remove gloves to ensure contamination does not spread to skin. Click here for video: https://youtu.be/tT5N_LMIGhI

When it comes to who has or doesn’t have COViD-19, we don’t have any more information than you do.
Bristol Health Officer and Emergency Management Director response to rumors of who may or may not have COViD-19 in our community: www.townofbristolnh.org/home/news/when-it-comes-who-has-or-doesn%E2%80%99t-have-covid-19-we-don%E2%80%99t-have-any-more-information-you-do