Guidance on Water Supply and Sanitation in Extreme Weather Events

Extreme weather events, including floods and droughts, are increasing in frequency and intensity. They affect the operation of water-supply, drainage and sewerage infrastructure, and the functioning of wastewater treatment plants, thereby affecting the protection of public health. Parties to the Protocol on Water and Health reviewed experience and good practice in Europe through a broad consultative process, to devise the present guidance. This publication describes how adaptation policies should consider the new risks from extreme weather events, how vulnerabilities can be identified and which management procedures can be applied to ensure sustained protection of health. It takes an integrated environment-and-health approach and addresses cross-cutting issues, such as the role of the health and environment sectors in extreme weather, the need for policy dialogue and multisectoral partnership to assess and control risks, and the challenges of different settings (such as urban and rural, small and centralized large-scale supplies). The publication is aimed at a broad audience, including policy-makers; environment, health and water-resources professionals; and water service managers. Front Cover 1 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 Foreword 10 Preface 12 Acknowledgements 14 List of Tables, Figures, Case Studies and Pictures 18 Acronyms and Abbreviations 20 Glossary of Technical Terms 21 Executive Summary 24 1 Extreme Weather Events and Water Supply and Sanitation in the European Region 27 2 Basic Disaster Preparedness and Early Warning 41 3 Communication in Extreme Weather Events 51 4 Vulnerability of Coastal Areas and Bathing Waters in Extreme Weather Events 55 5 Impacts of Climate Change and Extreme Events on Waterborne Diseases and Human Health 63 6 Water Safety Plans: An Approach to Managing Risks Associated with Extreme Weather Events 73 7 Adaptation Measures for Water Supply Utilities in Extreme Weather Events 83 8 Adaptation Measures for Drainage, Sewerage and Wastewater Treatment 105 References 120 Bibliography 126