Water Security

Many changes have occurred recently in how our country protects its water supplies. Environmental health practitioners work daily to ensure that our water is safe through treatment, monitoring, and regulating activities.

This section provides information on the protection of water supplies as well as on responding to contamination threats and incidents.

A Survey of the Quality of Water Drawn from Domestic Wells in Nine Midwest States [PDF - 760 KB] – 1994 survey to assess the presence of bacteria and chemicals in states severely affected by flooding in 1993

CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response – how to prepare for, plan for, and respond to water safety after disasters:

• Disinfecting Wells After a Disaster
• Food and Water Concerns
• Food, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Information for Use Before and After a Disaster or Emergency

Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolbox – provides a protocol and practical guide for communicating with stakeholders and the public about water advisories that is based on research and identified practices

Emergency Water Supply Planning Guide for Hospitals and Health Care Facilities – helps health care facilities regardless of size or patient capacity develop Emergency Water Supply Plans as part of their overall emergency operations plans

Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response (EHTER) – 10 modules that focus on key environmental health issues and challenges for emergency response

Linking Public Health and Water Utilities to Improve Emergency Response – how water utilities and the public health system must work together in response to contamination of drinking water supplies

Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene-related Emergencies & and Outbreaks – includes information on cleaning and sanitizing, flood water exposure, and buildings and facilities damaged by flood water

Links to information from outside CDC

The Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center – tools and resources for preparedness that can be used by public health departments nationwide, including

• Environmental Health Emergency Response Guide, Chapter 2: Water Safety and Supply [PDF - 658 KB] – provides quick access to needed information before an incident strikes a community

Drinking Water Emergencies (Washington State Department of Health) – publications and resources to be used for drinking water emergencies

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
• Emergency Response Plan Guidance for Small and Medium Community Water Systems [PDF - 416 KB]
• EPA Water Infrastructure Security – information about assessing and maintaining the security of drinking water systems
• Homeland Security Research Center (Office of Research and Development) – program using expertise and products to prevent, prepare for, and recover from public health and environmental emergencies arising from terrorist threats and incidents
• Instructions to Assist Community Water Systems in Complying with the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act [PDF - 239 KB]
• Local Drinking Water Information – information about local drinking water
• Response Protocol Toolbox [PDF - 1.43 MB] – manual to help the water sector effectively and appropriately plan for and respond to contamination threats and incidents
• Septic Systems – What to Do after the Flood – information about treating your septic system after a flood
• Tabletop Exercise Tool for Water Systems: Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Climate Resiliency (TTX Tool) Overview – exercises to train water and wastewater utility workers and health officials in preparing and carrying out emergency response plans.
• Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT) – tool that provides information on chemical, biologic, and radiologic contaminants of concern for water security

Physician Preparedness for Acts of Water Terrorism – guide for physicians to recognize and treat waterborne disease and health effects of exposure to water contamination

Recognizing Waterborne Disease and the Health Effects of Water Pollution (Water Health Connection Organization) – resources and educational tools to assist physicians in the recognition of waterborne disease and the health effects of water pollution (e.g., evaluation and management of disease resulting from waterborne pathogens, chemical contaminants, etc and health risk communication

Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center – security and disaster preparedness information for America’s drinking water and wastewater utilities

World Health Organization (WHO)

• Environmental Health in Emergencies and Disasters: A Practical Guide
  • Chapter 7 - Water Supply [PDF - 988 KB]

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