How to Access Safe Drinking Water During a Natural Disaster

Key takeaways:

1. In a natural disaster, families should find out if there is a water notice in their area, and if so, which type of notice is in effect.
2. Families in an area with a “Boil Water” notice should boil water for at least one minute [three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet] before allowing it to cool and storing it.
3. Families in a location with a “Do Not Drink” or “Do Not Use” notice should gather water from a local water distribution center or a family member or friend who lives in a safe area, or purchase bottled water.
4. To be prepared for future disasters, families should keep bottled water stored at home and change it out at least once a year.

During a natural disaster such as a wildfire, storm, or earthquake, you may see reports on the news or social media that the water in your home may not be safe to drink. Sometimes, this information can be confusing and possibly conflicting. How can you confirm if the water in your area has been affected, and if so, what are the steps you can take to ensure you have water that is safe to use?

Bradley Goldberg, MD, Medical Director of Emergency Management and the Pediatric Disaster Resource Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, explains: “When there is a disaster, such as a wildfire, there is a huge strain on an area’s public water system. This can cause issues such as low pressure within water pipes, which can allow contaminated water to enter the water system. In an earthquake or fire, contamination can also enter the water supply from broken infrastructure or overheated pipes that may crack.”

Dr. Goldberg offers guidance to families on how to know if your water is safe to drink during a disaster and what to do if it is not.

1. Find out if there is a water notice in your area.

The first priority should be to find out if your home is in an area under a water notice. “The best way to do that is to check with your local water municipality,” Dr. Goldberg says. “If you’re not sure who that is, you can find it listed on your water bill.” Many water providers also allow you to follow them on social media or sign up for text alerts to receive up-to-date information on the safety of your water. If you’re still unsure about your water provider, start by calling your city’s Department of Water and Power.

It is also important to establish the specific type of water notice your area may be under. The following are the main types:

• “Boil Water” notice: In this case, the water from your tap will not be safe to drink (or to use for brushing your teeth or washing dishes) until it is boiled. Boiling the water eliminates disease-causing organisms that can lead to infection. The boiled water is drinkable and can also be stored for later use.
• “Do Not Drink” notice: This means that, even if the tap water is boiled, you should not drink it under any circumstances. This water should also not be used to brush your teeth or to wash dishes. In this situation, chemicals or toxins are present in the water and cannot be removed through boiling. You can use this water for laundry, toilet flushing, showering or bathing (but be careful not to swallow the water—use sponge baths for babies and young children to avoid ingestion).
• “Do Not Use” notice: This means that, whether boiled or not, the water from your tap is not safe for drinking or for any household activities—washing, showering, bathing, dishwashing, laundry, etc. You should not use this water at all.

2. If under a “Boil Water” notice, be sure to boil and store water safely.

If you are in an area with a “Boil Water” notice, first confirm that the gas lines in your area have not been damaged before turning on a stove or other open flame to heat your water. When you are ready to boil, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have guidelines on proper water boiling for decontamination.

“In general, you're going to want to get the water to a rolling boil and allow it to boil for at least one minute [three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet], allow it to cool on a countertop or on the stove until it's room temperature, and then store it in a clean, covered container,” Dr. Goldberg says.

Never try to rapidly cool the water after boiling it by placing it in a refrigerator or freezer, as this can allow the water to be contaminated again. Also, keep in mind that if you have an ice maker in your freezer, it will still be using your public water to create ice cubes, so those cubes are not safe for use.

Lastly, always remember that boiling water is a common cause of injury for kids, so be sure that you are boiling your water safely out of their reach. Similarly, if you are preparing water for a baby to ingest, be sure that the water has time to cool down to room temperature after boiling before you start mixing it into a bottle.

3. If under a “Do Not Drink” or “Do Not Use” notice, identify outside sources for safe water.

If your area is under a “Do Not Drink” or “Do Not Use” water notice, you can utilize bottled drinking water if you have it. If your water bottles have been stored for several months or more, be sure to confirm that the water does not have a colored hue or tint to it, or any type of sediment visible. If it does, do not use it. If you do not have bottled drinking water at home, you will need to find an external source for water. There are several available options.

“If you are in an area with one of these notices, there are water distribution centers in most areas [including throughout Los Angeles County] where you can access safe drinking water,” Dr. Goldberg explains. Another alternative is to transport water from an unaffected area. For instance, if you are able to visit a nearby family member or friend who lives in an area that is not under a water notice, you can bring empty containers to fill up and then take back to your home for use.

Finally, if you can safely get to a nearby store to purchase bottled drinking water, that is a good option as well.

4. Have an emergency water supply plan in place and prepare for any future natural disasters.

Facing a natural disaster often reveals just how prepared we really are. There is never a bad time to develop a plan for any future emergency situations that could arise. “Here in Los Angeles, we are prone to natural disasters, whether it’s a wildfire, a storm, or an earthquake,” Dr. Goldberg says. “It is always helpful to have an emergency water supply plan in place for your household.”

Dr. Goldberg recommends having emergency bottled water stored in your home at all times and replacing this water with new bottled water at least once a year. “In general, it is recommended to have one gallon of emergency water per household member per day on hand,” he says. “A minimum supply of three days is recommended, with up to 14 days suggested in case of shelter-in-place emergencies. Preparation is key.”