Media across the country continue to issue warnings about a potential outbreak of H1N1 Flu in North America, along with tips with for individuals who might be traveling or think they might have come into contact with the flu virus.  Much of this information also focuses on how to prevent the spread of the disease.  With that in mind,  the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a statement regarding transmission and drinking water:

"Tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses. No research has been completed on the susceptibility of the novel H1N1 flu virus to conventional drinking water treatment processes. However, recent studies have demonstrated that free chlorine levels typically used in drinking water treatment are adequate to inactivate highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza. It is likely that other influenza viruses such as novel H1N1 would also be similarly inactivated by chlorination. To date, there have been no documented human cases of influenza caused by exposure to influenza-contaminated drinking water."