Emergency WASH Planning, Training, and Response Resources

Emergency WASH-related resources

Preparedness and training resources

General topics

•  Environmental Health Training and Response (CDC) Training to help environmental health professionals and other emergency response personnel address the environmental health impacts of emergencies and disasters.
•  Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene Preparedness Resource Library (NACCHO) Anticipating, preventing, and responding to WASH emergencies are critical functions carried out by local health departments. This resource library contains background information on common drinking water contaminants, as well as templates and examples for public notification, educational materials, and more.
•  Public Health Response to Large Scale Water Contamination (CDC TRAIN) Training on how to identify major water contamination incidents in the US, how to describe potential water contamination–related risks, and how to evaluate the public health response to large–scale water contamination.
• Emergency & Disaster Readiness (NEHA) Information on preparing for emergencies and disasters.
• Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene Emergency Preparedness resources (NACCHO) WASH-related emergency preparedness and response resources for local health departments, who are at the forefront of preparing for and responding to these events.
•  Environment, Climate Change, and Health (WHO) News, technical information, resources, videos and other information on WHO's environment, climate change, and health programs.
• Environmental Health in Emergencies and Disasters: A Practical Guide. 2002 (WHO) This book deals with emergency response and measures designed to reduce the impact of disasters on environmental health infrastructure, such as water supply and sanitation facilities. It also aims to strengthen the ability of people to withstand the disruption of their accustomed infrastructure and systems for environmental health.

Water security

• Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolkit (CDC) The Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolkit (DWACT) is a practical, research-based guide to help water systems effectively communicate with partners and the public about water advisories.
• Emergency Response for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities (EPA) Emergency/incident planning enables responders from a variety of jurisdictions to work together effectively when responding to an emergency.
  
•  Groundwater and Well Contamination (CDC TRAIN) Training on how groundwater and well water contaminants occur both naturally and anthropogenically.

Natural disasters

• Drought Resources (CDC) Resources to assist public health officials, practitioners, and other stakeholders in their efforts to understand, prepare for, and respond to drought in their communities.
•  Environmental Health Issues in Disasters (CDC TRAIN) Training on how to address issues with water quality, wastewater and sewage treatment, food safety, insects, debris, hazardous waste, and indoor and outdoor air quality during environmental health emergencies.
•  Natural Disasters: Hurricanes (CDC TRAIN) Guidelines for emergency response workers related to personal protective equipment (PPE), hurricane hazards, and public health–related issues during and after a hurricane.

Healthcare

• Emergency Water Supply Planning Guide for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities [PDF – 68 pages] (CDC) Guide to help healthcare facilities develop an Emergency Water Supply Plan (EWSP) to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a total or partial interruption of the normal water supply for facilities.

Response resources

Drinking water and drinking water advisories

• Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolkit (CDC) The Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolkit (DWACT) is a practical, research-based guide to help water systems effectively communicate with partners and the public about water advisories.
• Emergency Response for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities (EPA) Emergency/incident planning enables responders from a variety of jurisdictions to work together effectively when responding to an emergency.
• Ground Water and Drinking Water (EPA) Information on regulations, laboratories, key topics, and basics related to ground water and drinking water.
• Cleaning and Disinfecting Water Storage Tanks and Tankers [PDF – 4 pages] (WHO) This technical document outlines a four-step approach to cleaning and disinfecting water tanks and tankers.

Floods

• Floods and Your Safety (CDC) Information on preparing for and responding to floods, including cleaning up flood water inside and outside the home.

Sanitation and wastewater

• Water and Wastewater Treatment Systems Considerations (FEMA) Training on policy and guidance related to water and wastewater treatment systems.

Worker safety

• Handling Human Waste or Sewage (CDC) Information on how first responders and others can protect themselves from human waste after an emergency.
• Responding to Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather (CDC) A list of emergency response resources for workers at natural disaster sites.
• Protect Workers: Livestock and Poultry Wastewater and Sludge (CDC) Information on protecting workers from illnesses and injuries associated with livestock and poultry wastewater and sludge from animal feeding operations during and after floods.

Cleaning and infection control

• Guidelines for Cleaning Safely After a Disaster (CDC) Recommendations for safe cleaning practices after a disaster or emergency.
• What to Do to Prevent Getting Hurt or Sick After a Disaster (CDC) Information on how to prevent injury or illness after a disaster or emergency.

Mass shelters

• Disaster Shelter Assessment (CDC) Environmental health assessment form to help environmental health practitioners conduct a rapid assessment of shelter conditions during emergencies and disasters.

Additional information

• CDC. Emergency Preparedness and Response
• CDC. Waterborne Disease Outbreak Investigation Toolkit
• CDC. Natural Disasters and Severe Weather
• U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response