A hurricane is a tropical system with winds that reach a constant speed of 74 miles per hour or more. Generally, a hurricane can last two or more weeks and have a storm path reaching several countries. As hurricane seasons grow longer and storms become more intense, the impact on our environment and communities becomes more profound. Among the critical issues resulting from these natural disasters is the degradation of drinking water quality. These powerful storms can leave communities without safe drinking water for days, weeks, or even longer. Understanding how hurricanes may affect drinking water quality is crucial for emergency preparedness and resilience. 

Hurricane Disruptions and Drinking Water Systems

Hurricanes can cause widespread damage to water infrastructure. From flooding to power outages, the immediate aftermath of a hurricane may leave water systems crippled. 

Flooding and Damage to Infrastructure

Hurricanes bring torrential rains and storm surges, leading to severe flooding. This can overwhelm water treatment plants and damage distribution networks. For example, during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Houston’s public water systems and hundreds of thousands of private wells were affected, leading to widespread contamination and compromised drinking water for millions of residents. 

Power Outages and Water Treatment Failures

When hurricanes make landfall, they often cause extensive power outages. Water treatment plants rely heavily on electricity to filter and clean wastewater from multiple sources. Purification systems may fail without sufficient power, leading to contaminated drinking water. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, more than a third of sewage treatment plants could not function optimally. This mass disruption resulted in raw sewage flowing into waterways residents used for drinking water and bathing. 

Hurricane-Related Contamination of Drinking Water Sources

Floodwater from hurricanes often carries a toxic mix of pollutants which can contaminate drinking water sources. The types of contaminants include:

Chemical Contaminants

Chemical spills from industrial sites, agricultural areas, and even household products may result from hurricane flooding. Naturally occurring or man-made chemical contaminants include nitrogen, bleach, salts, pesticides, and metals. At elevated levels, these chemicals may lead to gastrointestinal illnesses and developmental effects such as learning disorders, endocrine disruption, and cancer. During Hurricane Florence in 2018, North Carolina experienced significant water contamination from flooding, including overflow from coal ash pits which introduced polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and metals into the drinking water supply.

Biological Contaminants

Sewage systems are frequently overwhelmed during hurricanes, leading to the release of untreated sewage into waterways. This contamination can introduce dangerous pathogens into the drinking water, increasing the risk of diseases such as cholera and dysentery. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans faced a significant public health crisis due to sewage contamination in the drinking water. 

Mitigating the Impact of Hurricanes on Drinking-Water Quality

Prepare and Respond

While the challenges are significant, there are steps you and your local community can take to mitigate the impact of hurricanes on drinking water quality.

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Red Cross, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend storing at least a three-day drinking water supply for each person. However, a two-week supply is better if you have the space.
• Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters. If bottled water is not available, boil the water for one minute. Boiling the water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms, such as Salmonella, Giardia, E. Coli, and amoebas.
• Apply FDA Class II infection control filters at sinks, showers, and other water fixtures for in-place purification.

The threat hurricanes pose to drinking water quality requires attention and action. By understanding these risks and being prepared, we can protect our communities and ensure access to clean drinking water in the face of future storms.