Coping with natural disasters

Water utilities in areas with a history of flooding or earthquakes should prepare adequately so that water supply is not affected (Figure 6.8).

Figure 6.8 Flooding due to rainstorms.

At times of natural disasters, the need to provide adequate and clean water to communities is crucial. There are good reasons for this. Other services such as electricity supply and transportation will be affected, limiting people’s access to safe food and health services. If clean water is also not available, the health of people will be at serious risk. Utilities must therefore plan and be prepared for such eventualities. Mock emergency exercises should be carried out on given water supply systems to develop detailed lists of actions to ensure that resilient systems that can withstand difficult conditions are in place to serve the community.

The following are some key points to consider to ensure resilience during floods.

• If wells are the source of water, the topmost reach of the well-casing should be raised above any known level of past flooding. Back-up generators should be installed on a stable foundation at a height that minimises damage by flood water.
• The well should have protective structures around it to prevent damage and avoid infiltration of contaminated surface water into the well.
• In treatment plants, sand bags should be available as flood barriers around buildings that house equipment, and windows should be boarded up.
• Switchboards and other electrical components should be installed at a height where floodwater cannot reach them.

It is not possible to protect water systems completely from all forms of natural disaster, for example earthquakes, but by forward planning and preparedness, it is possible to mitigate the worst impacts.