Emergency Preparedness: Water

In a water emergency, it may be that there is no water coming into the facility, the water coming into the facility is unsafe and cannot be used, or the water coming into the facility is unsafe and can be made safe by boiling or purification. Each situation requires a slightly different plan.

In developing water emergency plans, first identify water needs under each situation. Some considerations include water for drinking for residents, staff, and others; food preparation and cooking; washing hands; and cleaning and sanitizing dishware, utensils, and equipment. Another consideration is whether dining services is to supply water just for the department’s needs or for the entire facility.

Possibilities for water include bottled water supply on hand, water delivery, or storing water if there is advance notice (collapsible containers). If purification kits are used, the appropriate amount needs to be kept on hand as part of emergency supplies.

A critical aspect of the water emergency plan is how to communicate to staff not to use the water at all or to use it after proper boiling or purifying, depending on the situation. Follow-up that staff is using proper procedures is critical.

Another often forgotten aspect is the ice machine. If the water is not safe, neither is the ice. The machine needs to be shut down and emptied as quickly as possible so no one uses contaminated ice accidentally. When the emergency is over, the machine needs to be cleaned and sanitized.

Are there other sources of water that you use?