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Household water disinfection in hurricane-affected communities of Louisiana: implications for disaster preparedness for the general public

Author

Listed:
  • Ram, P.K.
  • Blanton, E.
  • Klinghoffer, D.
  • Platek, M.
  • Piper, J.
  • Straif-Bourgeois, S.
  • Bonner, M.R.
  • Mintz, E.D.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Thousands of Louisiana residents were asked to boil water because of widespread disruptions in electricity and natural gas services after Hurricane Rita. We sought to assess awareness of boil water orders and familiarity with household water disinfection techniques other than boiling. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in randomly selected mobile home communities in Louisiana. RESULTS: We interviewed 196 respondents from 8 communities, which had boil water orders instituted. Of 97 who were home while communities were still under orders to boil water, 30 (31%) were aware of the orders and, of those, 24 (80%) said the orders were active while they were living at home; of the 24, 10 (42%) reported boiling water. Overall, 163 (83%) respondents were aware of a method of water disinfection at the household level: boiling (78%), chlorination (27%), and filtration (25%); 87% had a container of chlorine bleach at home. CONCLUSIONS: Few hurricane-affected respondents were aware of boil water orders and of alternate water disinfection techniques. Most had access to chlorine and could have practiced household chlorination if disruption in natural gas and electricity made boiling impossible.

Suggested Citation

  • Ram, P.K. & Blanton, E. & Klinghoffer, D. & Platek, M. & Piper, J. & Straif-Bourgeois, S. & Bonner, M.R. & Mintz, E.D., 2007. "Household water disinfection in hurricane-affected communities of Louisiana: implications for disaster preparedness for the general public," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(S1), pages 130-135.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2006.094441_2
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2006.094441
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    Cited by:

    1. Emily M. Zechman, 2011. "Agent‐Based Modeling to Simulate Contamination Events and Evaluate Threat Management Strategies in Water Distribution Systems," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 758-772, May.
    2. Habibah Abdul Wahid & Mohd Anuar Ramli & Muhd Imran Abd Razak & Muhammad Izzul Syahmi Zulkepli, 2017. "Determination of Zakat Recipient to Flood Victims," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 7(12), pages 1289-1304, December.
    3. Gabriella Rundblad & Olivia Knapton & Paul R. Hunter, 2014. "The Causes and Circumstances of Drinking Water Incidents Impact Consumer Behaviour: Comparison of a Routine versus a Natural Disaster Incident," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-16, November.

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