3.2. Water and sanitation

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provision agua seguraOne of the immediate and common effects of disasters usually involves damage to water supply, sewerage, and drainage systems, as well as damage to basic sanitation services. The multi-agency publication The Challenge in Disaster Reduction for the Water and Sanitation Sector: improving quality of life by reducing vulnerabilities illustrates the severity of the situation for the disaster-affected population when problems are compounded by the absence of safe water. Along with real examples, it describes actions that can be taken to reduce the vulnerability of water and sanitation systems.

Water and sanitation services are affected in several ways, including:

  • Destruction of water sources, water mains, and the delivery/distribution network, observed frequently during earthquakes, floods, and landslides.
  • Destruction or major damage to sewerage systems, particularly as a consequence ofearthquakes.
  • Solid waste can accumulate due to interruption of service or roads that are blocked by rubble.
  • Basic sanitation programs (food safety in establishments, and vector and rodent control) and programs to control invasive plants can be interrupted.

Consult the WHO technical notes on solid waste management in emergencies.

National authorities in charge of water and sanitation programs should have strategic and operational plans that adopt prevention, preparedness, and response measures. For more information on preparedness for water and sanitation companies, see chapter 2 of Emergencies and Disasters in Drinking Water Supply and Sewerage Systems: Guidelines for Effective Response.

For water and sewer systems in particular, vulnerability studies and up-to-date maps of potential at-risk areas should be prepared in advance. Effective response mechanisms should also be in place, along with operational plans that include not only trained personnel but also machinery, equipment, and supplies.

A preparedness plan for water and basic sanitation should take the following elements into account:

  • Water supply of adequate quantity and quality.
  • Identification of alternate sources (tanks, cisterns, portable purification plants, chlorination equipment).
  • Management of excreta and wastewater.
  • Identification of cost-effective alternatives for the construction or other provision of sanitary latrines.
  • Solid waste control: collection and transportation.
  • Location of waste collection sites: sanitary landfills or temporary sites for the recycling of some materials.
  • Food hygiene: measures for routine inspection of storage facilities and sale establishments, with emphasis on food requiring refrigeration.
  • Control of harmful fauna: detection and control of vectors and rodents that are significant to health.
  • Basic personal hygiene and housing measures: very important for temporary shelters and camps.
  • Disposal of dead animals.

Although Module 3 of this Portal deals with aspects of mitigation in more detail, here are some references on mitigation measures for water systems and sanitation.