Soap and water. Two daily elements that are vital to face the pandemic. Frequent hand washing, meticulously and for at least 20 seconds, is a health recommendation for the entire population. A daily ritual that even the smallest of the house have internalized and have incorporated into their daily habits without problems. According to a study cited by UNICEF, washing your hands with soap regularly can reduce the likelihood of Covid-19 infection by 36%.

October 15 is World Handwashing Day, instituted by the United Nations in 2008. This commemoration serves to remember that, in this exceptional year, more than ever, water is a basic good for public health and the best ally in the fight against coronavirus and against numerous diseases that are prevented with good hand hygiene. For this and other reasons, the water supply and sanitation were declared essential services during confinement.

Aquona, quality water for everyone

Public health depends on universal access to safe water resources. Aquona and SUEZ Spain, a business group of which Aquona is a part, committed to improving people's quality of life, have integrated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their strategy and action plan to achieve the eradication of poverty extreme and guarantee universal access to quality water and sanitation.

Aquona is a benchmark in both Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León, for its commitment to preserve the supply to all households, through social protection measures for vulnerable families. Water is a universal right and Aquona acts attentive to the United Nations maxim of not leaving anyone behind, offering a range of aid (rates and social bonuses, flexibility in payments, among others) to which more than 316,300 currently have access. groups or households in a situation of poverty or social exclusion.

In addition, Aquona and SUEZ Spain have promoted several projects in collaboration with social entities to face the effects of the pandemic. Among others, with Red Cross Responde to assist people in vulnerable situations due to the health crisis.

Safeguarding the water supply, guaranteeing the same usual sanitary quality, has also been a priority since the beginning of this crisis. This mission was possible during confinement thanks to the vocation of service of its workers. Some, who were called “guardians of water”, were confined in strategic facilities to ensure their operation, such as the Ponferrada and Palencia water treatment plants, as well as those of León and Albacete, managed by Aguas de León and Aguas de Albacete. , joint ventures owned by Aquona. They were installed in motorhomes for individual use to minimize the risk of contagion, thus allowing the population to continue turning on the taps in their homes to, among other things, wash their hands well. A vocation and a practice that saves lives.

The five steps to getting it right

Washing your hands is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family to avoid getting infected. To do this, follow these simple five steps to ensure proper hand washing:

• Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and lather your hands.
• Rub your hands with the soap until it foams. Rub the foam over the back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Rinse hands well under clean running water.
• Dry them with a clean towel or single-use paper.