The Public Health Implications of Water in Disasters

• Date: 01 June 2011
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.2202/1948-4682.1177
• Author: Mary‐Elizabeth A Walker,David GC McCann,Ainsley Moore
• Published date: 01 June 2011

Volume 3, Issue 2 • 2011 • Article 3

The Public Health Implications of Water in Disasters

David GC McCann, McMaster University

Ainsley Moore, McMaster University

Mary-Elizabeth A. Walker

McCann, David GC; Moore, Ainsley; and Walker, Mary-Elizabeth A. (2011) "The Public Health

Implications of Water in Disasters," World Medical & Health Policy: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 3.

http://www.psocommons.org/wmhp/vol3/iss2/art3

DOI: 10.2202/1948-4682.1177

©2011 Policy Studies Organization

The Public Health Implications of Water in

Disasters

David GC McCann, McMaster University

Ainsley Moore, McMaster University

Mary-Elizabeth A. Walker

Abstract

Disasters are becoming more frequent worldwide and water figures prominently in many of

them. Disasters can result from a severe shortage of water (drought, famine) or too much of it

(floods, tsunamis). The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan offers an excellent example of the

critical role water can play, given that the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant weathered the

9.0 moment magnitude earthquake well but suffered catastrophic failure from the resulting

tsunami. After disasters, water contamination can compound an already miserable situation. This

article will discuss the most current literature on the public health implications of water in

disasters and offer recommendations for public policy changes to improve water security.

Key policy implications include: reestablishment of water and sanitation are top priorities in

the immediate post-disaster period; shelters must not be overcrowded and should have adequate

latrines; public health education about personal hygiene is critically important along with liquid

soap and safe water to clean hands; supplies of water chlorination products and covered water

storage receptacles need to be adequately stockpiled before a disaster.

KEYWORDS: water, disasters, flood, tsunami, drought, water security, water contamination