Water-related emergency preparedness and outbreak response related to water has become one of the most significant and crucial issues in recent history. The globe has experienced increased numbers of water-related natural disasters, including flooding, droughts, and hurricanes. Water can also be intentionally contaminated to spread pathogens, chemicals, and toxins. During and after any natural or man-made disaster it is critical to be able to obtain safe drinking water. The general public needs to be prepared to disinfect and treat drinking water and cope with flood-contaminated water sources such as wells. Municipalities need to be prepared for the same disasters that may affect water treatment or wastewater facilities. Individuals, families, employers, and businesses have been advised to be prepared for emergencies by creating emergency supply kits that include appropriate amounts of safe drinking water. The U.S. has seen increased numbers of waterborne disease outbreaks. As a result, health professionals are looking for increased assistance and guidance for detecting, investigating, and reporting waterborne disease outbreaks.
Water-Related Emergencies & Outbreaks Topics
- Safe Drinking Water
- Personal Water Use,
- Wells,
- Community Water Systems...
- Hygiene & Sanitation
- Handwashing,
- Bathing,
- Dental,
- Wound Care...
- Preparedness Toolkit
- Preparedness,
- Training,
- Shelters/Mass Care...
- Septic & Wastewater
- Septic Systems,
- Community Wastewater Treatment...
- Flood Water Exposure
- Health Risks,
- Mold,
- Building Clean-up...
- Outbreak Response Toolkits
- Toolkits,
- Guides,
- Laboratory Testing,
- Resources...
Water-Related Emergencies and Outbreaks Fast Facts
- The largest waterborne disease outbreak in United States history occurred in 1993 in Milwaukee, WI when over 400,000 people became ill with diarrhea when the parasite Cryptosporidium was found in the city's drinking water supply (3).
- Legionnaire’s Disease got its name in 1976 from American Legion members who attended a convention in Philadelphia and were the first to suffer from an outbreak of this disease (4).
- During the historic 2005 Hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ran out of names for major tropical storms, using letters of the Greek alphabet to name storms for the first time since storms began acquiring names in 1953 (5).
- A preparedness supply kit should include one gallon of drinking water per day per person (2).
- Treating water with chlorine tablets, iodine tablets, or liquid bleach will not kill all parasites that can contaminate water; boiling or appropriate filtration is required (6).
Water-Related Emergencies and Outbreaks
During water-related emergencies, the quality and safety of water can be compromised. Water-related emergencies can be created by natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and landslides. For a complete list of natural disasters and how to prepare and respond to them, please visit CDC's Natural Disasters and Severe Weather page.
A waterborne outbreak is a cluster of two or more infections caused by the same agent(s) and linked to the same water exposure. Outbreaks can be caused by water contaminated with pathogens, chemicals, or toxins which can be spread through ingestion of, contact with, or breathing in contaminated water (1).
In order to protect the health of a community affected by an outbreak or natural disaster, a Boil Water Advisory may be issued. For instructions to follow once an advisory is declared, visit one of the following:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance for Waterborne Disease and Outbreaks Associated with Drinking Water and Water not Intended for Drinking – United States, 2005-2006. MMWR 2008;57(No. SS-9). Available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5709a1.htm?s_cid=ss5709a1_e.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Emergency Preparedness and You. Available at http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance for Waterborne Disease Outbreaks – United States, 1993-1994. MMWR 1996:45(No. SS-1). Available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00040818.htm.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Patient Facts: Learn More about Legionnaires' disease. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/patient_facts.htm.
5. National Weather Service. 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Available at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2005atlan.shtml.
6. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water. Available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg.html.
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