How Do Hurricanes Affect Water Quality?
Hurricanes aren’t just a come and go event, they have long term effects on the area, and one of those is in the water quality. The surge of water increases the contamination in that area, primarily because it pushes the toxins from the earth into the water supply. Not to mention, times of crisis make it hard for everyone, so water municipality plants may not be operating at full capacity - this makes the situation worse. As a way to bring awareness to Water Quality Month, here are a few interesting things to know about hurricanes and water quality. Also, some ways you can prepare for and protect your family and pets against this challenge.
It’s not uncommon for tap water to be contaminated during a hurricane. Some of the common reasons for this are because uprooted trees and washouts can cause pipes to break. Sewage spills can also affect the utilities. It’s a good sign when you have good water pressure because water is more likely to be contaminated with a lack of water pressure. However, even if the water pressure is strong, you are still better off drinking water from another source until it’s cleared safely.
Starting with Hurricane Rain
Even though there is rainwater everywhere, even the rain should be considered unsafe to drink during a hurricane. The hurricane water is prone to contain contaminants, which means it’s not a safe drinking source. Curious about why? Check out these interesting conditions that impact hurricane rainwater:- When a hurricane is gathering strength over the ocean, it churns up undrinkable salt water.
- Did you know that the saltwater rain from a hurricane can cause corrosive damage?
- The chemicals in hurricane water are similar to acid rain, this means that the atmospheric pollution that harms the environment is also in the rainwater.
- This is specifically in rural areas, but private wells and karts can rapidly become contaminated by chemicals in fertilizers and other substances. When flooding and heavy rains in a hurricane cause large volumes of runoff from fields.
Why Does Polluted Floodwater and Drinking Water Matter?
Contaminated water is a health risk, and it can be serious to those most vulnerable. This would include infants, children, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system. In fact, according to FEMA, the contaminants in the water that follows a major flooding event could even cause diseases like cholera, hepatitis, and dysentery.It’s not uncommon for tap water to be contaminated during a hurricane. Some of the common reasons for this are because uprooted trees and washouts can cause pipes to break. Sewage spills can also affect the utilities. It’s a good sign when you have good water pressure because water is more likely to be contaminated with a lack of water pressure. However, even if the water pressure is strong, you are still better off drinking water from another source until it’s cleared safely.
What Should You Do?
It’s important to keep water on hand that is considered safe, or research ways to make tap water safe to drink. Businesses would do well to use a purified water cooler, which can help ensure that your employees have healthy, safe, and pure drinking water.
Big Bags USA Can Help During a Crisis
There is really nothing that can keep the water from getting contaminated. It’s just a part of the challenge involved with experiencing a hurricane. However, you can take some pressure off of other areas of your life so that contaminated drinking water isn’t the last straw. Big Bags USA has created an innovative sandbag flood barrier that is not only and easy to use flood barrier, but it’s affordable and reusable as well. When in the middle of a crisis, the more you can do to remove the strain in other areas, the better you will be able to handle the areas that are left. Protect your home, your business, and your community by using Big Bags USA Flood Barriers!
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
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