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Dover mayor: Wastewater testing completely separate from drinking water

| November 18, 2025

The chart from TCHD shows levels of COVID-19 virus in the untreated wastewater at the Dover Wastewater Treatment Plant in August. Wastewater is completely separate from drinking water.

DOVER – The Tuscarawas County Health Department has found elevated levels of communicable diseases in Dover wastewater as cold and flu season approaches.

Dover Mayor Shane Gunnoe is reassuring residents that that has nothing to do with the city’s drinking water.

“Our drinking water remains safe and clean and is continuously tested to meet all state and federal standards,” he said. “I want to assure you that COVID-19 has never been detected in our drinking water.

He says the health department routinely monitors wastewater at the Dover City Wastewater Treatment Plant. It is not uncommon to find low levels of flu, RSV virus and COVID-19 as the season for virus activity begins.

Gunnoe says wastewater travels through the city’s sewer system and is completely separate from the city’s drinking water.

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