Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene-related Emergencies & and Outbreaks

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Boiling water in a pot on a stove

If your local health officials
issue a boil water advisory it
may be because your community’s
water could have germs that can
make you sick.

Emergencies related to water can cause community-wide disruption and illness if water is contaminated with germs, chemicals, or toxins. Water-related emergencies can be created by natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts; man-made disasters, such as chemical spills; or waterborne disease outbreaks. Many diseases can be prevented by creating and storing an emergency water supply, knowing how to make water safe, learning about drinking water advisories, and following hygiene practices during an emergency.

Making Water Safe in an Emergency

Boiling water in a pan

Water contaminated with germs can often be made safe to drink by boiling, adding disinfectants, or filtering.

Drinking Water Advisories

Water coming out of a faucet

Drinking water advisories let people know that tap water could be contaminated and make them sick.

Creating and Storing an Emergency Water Supply

Large bottles of water lined up next to each other

Prepare for an emergency by creating and storing a supply of water that will meet your family’s needs.

Personal Hygiene During an Emergency

Soap and soap suds

Learn about important cleanliness tips to keep yourself and loved ones healthy during an emergency.

Preparing a Home Water Supply

Hygiene in Emergency Settings

Resources for public health, healthcare, and water utilities

Sanitation and Wastewater

Extreme Weather Events

Publications, Data, and Statistics

Policy and Recommendations

Communication Materials

Make Water Safe During an Emergency

Use CDC materials to raise awareness and prevent illness:

Buttons and Badges
Fact Sheets
Posters

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Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

Water Rescue crew on site searching for survivors after dangerous flooding

Visit CDC’s Natural Disasters and Severe Weather website.

Healthy Water Sites

Healthy Water

Page last reviewed: May 9, 2022

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED)