Author(s): Induka Werellagama, Binil Davis, Gregory De Costa

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Keywords: Drinking water treatment; Civil Defense; Disaster-relief; Disaster preparedness; Emergency water supply;

Abstract: This paper discusses the drinking water supply in a disaster relief (civil defense) scenario for Wellington, New Zealand. Wellington is facing the threat of earthquakes and water supply may be cut off for weeks in case of a major disaster. After a disaster every survivor may be a first responder, therefore knowing how to provide drinking water during a disaster is useful. The methods discussed can be replicated for any other disaster relief situation. The paper has four sections. First a look at the available water resources in Wellington. Then finding what is recommended by authorities in a disaster situation. E.g. the first seven days after a disaster, the people must depend on their own water supply. Thirdly what measures can be made to complement existing plans (especially in the emergency state/ first week) for assuring water availability. Also, a low cost, user-friendly method is presented for affected people to treat their own water at home and drink, until the normal water supplies are restored.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/38WC092019-1347

Year: 2019