Because a person can only go a few days without drinking water and still survive, it’s critical for everyone involved in emergency preparedness planning to have a backup reserve of clean drinking water, as well as a way to filter and purify it in case a source becomes contaminated.

In the aftermath of a disaster it’s not uncommon for large numbers of people to loose access to basic utilities as a result of damaged or destroyed facilities or compromised systems. In terms of overall well-being, one of the largest threats can be losing access to the fresh drinking we’ve all become accustomed to having immediate access to. Here are some of the things that could potentially threaten our drinking water that should help reinforce the importance of having an emergency preparedness water plan.

Dirt and Sediment

In terms of actually causing people harm this is probably the least dangerous threat, but there is still some risk of heavy metals, bacteria or parasites that may enter a source from the debris. Typically a good water filtration system will protect people against this type of contamination.

Sewage

Flooding can be the most serious threat to an otherwise safe drinking water source. Backed up sewage systems can spread harmful microbial agents through waterways at a rapid rate, and introduce microorganisms, organics, traces of metal that can be very dangerous if consumed. And of course there will be a distinct foul taste and smell.

Pathogens

There is always a chance of ingesting some kind of harmful bacteria if a person drinks from an open river, stream or lake without first purifying or boiling the water first, but the result of flooding or earthquakes can greatly enhance the risk of contracting a waterborne disease such as botulism, dysentery or giardia.

Industrial Waste, Gas, Nuclear

These and other chemical production processes can potentially be huge hazards after a natural disaster as they can cause serious and long term harm to ground water. In 2005 nearly 20% of the fresh water used in the United States came from ground water, a source that is especially susceptible to the harms of spilled or leaked industrial product.