How to secure access to safe water after a natural disaster

Are you prepared for the unexpected?

The Texas winter storm in February led to a range of widespread power and water infrastructure failures that placed the health and water security of residents in danger. These failures were caused by a ‘domino effect’ — an effect that often occurs after natural disasters, as power failures lead to breakdowns in water systems, which in turn reduce peoples’ access to safe water and food. And Texas isn’t alone: extreme weather — in some cases, directly linked to climate change — has impacted access to safe drinking water for days, months, or even years in other states, including in the fire-ravaged West which was without a supply of public water for six months.

During the Texas winter storm, we witnessed thousands of events that impacted public health due to broken pipes and water mains, energy blackouts, and failures in the supply of public water systems. These public health impacts are further exacerbated when there is a lack of investment to modernize the critical public water infrastructure, thus creating an increased public health risk to our communities across America.

We are all aware that water is one of the most critical resources to sustain human life and a necessary requirement during a disaster. At the height of the winter storm in Texas, almost 15 million people did not have access to safe water and more than 300,000 still are without safe water today. These numbers leave us asking the question: how did this happen in America?

The community was unprepared

When a disaster strikes, supply shortages around critical resources like safe water occur. Demand for safe water during an emergency grows exponentially while the usually available supply is repaired. Delays such as these cause panic amongst the communities and residents are often forced into extremely difficult and dangerous situations to source their water supplies. Even safe packaged water inventories can quickly become scarce and consumer demand can drive prices up to a level inaccessible by some.

There is an easy solution!

Natural disasters are like the baseball season; we know it will come and we can prepare for it. While we can hope for the best, we must prepare for the worst to safeguard ourselves against supply shortages. This preparation process is not difficult to implement; there are simple water preparedness solutions that community leaders and homeowners can take to become prepared for the aftermath of a disaster.

Every disaster is different, but the basic needs are the same

On a residential level, if you have access to safe water (either supplied by your local water provider or self-managed at your home), you will need to create your own private water storage solutions before the disaster hits. This will safeguard yourself and your family from any water supply interruptions. Doing so is simple; it requires the use of a reusable and reliable water storage container. The size and shape of your water container will depend upon your space limitations and the number of people likely to rely on this water source.

When space is a premium, the Smart Bottle® is the best solution. The Smart Bottle® is a collapsible bottle that stores flat, but stands upright when filled, and is easy to transport and distribute. Homeowners can easily maintain a stock of empty Smart Bottles® that take up less space than a shoebox for your family of three. Municipalities can preposition pallets of empty Smart Bottles® (2,400 2.6-gallon containers per standard pallet) which can be readily accessible for rapid fill and distribution during emergency operations. Three 2.6 Gallon Smart Bottles® can supply enough water for three-person for three days during a water crisis emergency.

On a large community scale, if safe water is jeopardized or interrupted, the communities or local authorities will need to consider setting up a contract for emergency drinking water provided by a vendor from outside of the affected disaster area. Households, municipalities, and organizations can prepare pallets of the Safe Water Box ™ (10L / 2.64-Gal Premium Drinking Water in Bag-in-Box packaging) at their location, which can provide safe drinking water until the core infrastructure is fully functional and safe to use. If water is not stored on-site, we maintain an inventory of the Safe Water Box™ at prepositioned, strategic locations around the country for last-mile non-profit partners.

Be part of the solution

Are you a corporation that wants to help those in need during disasters?

Are you a building manager that oversees the livelihood of other people?

Are you a concerned parent that wants to ensure your family is prepared?

Are you an influencer that wants to collaborate?

At Box of Rain, we offer a range of water solutions with the Smart Bottle® and Safe Water Box™ that can support you and ensure others can BE PREPARED for the next disaster.

I would love to hear from you and see how we might better prepare for the upcoming hurricane and wildfire season. Please feel free to shoot me an email to collaborate kevinsofen@darley.com