Mens & Womens Health

We never know when an emergency situation might occur that will interrupt the normal water treatment operations a city has set up. Whether the crisis is caused by a storm, an outbreak of disease, enormous industrial spills, or terrorist activities, the need for clean drinking water will still be of maximum importance. Having emergency response plans on hand in order to deal with any emergency situation that could occur will be crucial in keeping people from dying and will be instrumental in recovery efforts. You need to make provision for emergency water filters before you ever need them.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has training and planning materials for municipal preparedness available on its website: www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm. The Department of Homeland Security also has information available which includes a selection of downloadable brochures, family emergency plans, and check lists. In addition, National Incident Management Systems information must be given to all municipal employees who could be involved in any large-scale disaster. Information pertaining to this training is available at: www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/press_release_0363.shtm.

If a large-scale emergency should occur, there will be a lot of responsibilities which may fall on the shoulders of municipal water treatment employees. These could include disposing of large quantities of unhealthy wastes that threaten water supplies, dealing with ineffective back-up power, and initiating preparedness plans that no one has ever completely tested. The health and well-being of the people of the community are going to be on the shoulders of these people, so their prior training is crucial to the successful outcome of any relief activities.

While a city is preparing for possible emergency situations, there are some things directly related to the maintenance of healthy drinking water which they must take care of including:
* Identify facilities within flood plains that contain hazardous substances so that they can be safeguarded and not be allowed to filter into the water system.
* Make plans for back-up drinking water.
* Identify municipal buildings that house oil and damaging materials.

You’ve undoubtedly heard the news reports telling about the deficiency of clean drinking water in areas where disasters have occurred, and you know that it’s crucial for every community to plan for exactly what they will do, such as providing for a portable water purification system, if they ever find themselves facing a similar situation. Developing emergency water treatment plans prior to needing them will stand you in good stead if your city is struck with a disaster situation at some point in the future.