Healthy Living: Flood Water Safety
Hurricane Eta has weakened to a tropical depression. While Belize was spared the wrath of the hurricane-force winds, it did not spare us from the heavy rains it dumped across the country for the past four days and counting. The constant deluge has led to dangerous floods. In Central and Southern Belize, some families have left their homes for safer, higher grounds and NEMO has had to evacuate others. The flooding, though, can have a greater impact on the health of Belizeans across the country. We find out more in tonight’s Healthy Living.
Marleni Cuellar, Reporting
The rising rivers in central and southern Belize have posed an immediate threat to communities’ lives and property along the banks. And as the rain persists and rivers swell, the dangers of the floodwaters can go way beyond the banks of the waterways.
Anthony Flowers
Anthony Flowers, Water Analyst, Ministry of Health
“When we have flood situation like these, and the floodwater comes up, then the banks will eventually get flooded over with this water, and we could have some of the water which contains a lot of debris and sediments and bacteria and so on and these could then enter into the well causing the well to become contaminated hence the risk for people who would drink that water to get sick.”
Anthony Flowers is a water analyst with the Ministry of Health. He says floods like what we are currently experiencing can lead to contamination of backyard wells and the water source for Belize Water Services Limited.
Anthony Flowers
“You would have an increased level of turbidity, which would be an increase in sediments and debris, and with those sediments, bacteria can attach to those. We also have the issue of bacterial contamination whereby people along the banks of the river who utilize latrines or runoffs from sewer systems would go into the water and cause people to get water-borne diseases. For example, in San Ignacio, the wells that BWS uses to supply the twin towns of San Ignacio – Santa Elena. The wells are located along the banks of the Macal River, and as we know, the waters continue to rise in that area. So now we have the possibility now of the water covering over these wells and potentially could impact the quality of water coming from these wells. If you have a well in your backyard, for example, that you are using, and it is covered up by floodwaters. You need to be sure to treat that water to make it safe for drinking and other uses. So, in the situation now that we have. You should not be using that water as it is but instead treating it before using.”
Currently, M.O.H.’s water quality unit has ramped up testing and monitoring of the countries’ primary water sources.
Anthony Flowers
“So far, we know we know the wells in San Ignacio have been affected by floodwaters. They have had to close a number of these wells. They do have one in operation. In Benque as well, they have to close one spring, but another well that they have is still supplying water. We have other areas as well, like Stann Creek and Toledo, that we have to monitor that. If the well source for these become compromised, there will be a need for people to start treating the water before using it. Presently, there is no risk to health in using water from these systems in San Ignacio and Benque. As we said, they are still able to supply, and they have increased the dosage of chlorination to ensure that the water is safe.”
While your tap water is still available and safe for use, Belize Water Services issued this advisory on Tuesday. It asks customers to store a safe water supply to last for three days. The advisory explains that the flooding poses a risk for damage as well as contamination. Flowers offers some tips on how to store an emergency water supply safely.
Anthony Flowers
“Storing water you using a clean container to put your water in. Ensure also that the container you are using is covered at all times, and you want to treat water before you store it. So we can boil the water, for example. You put the water on the stove and allow it to come to a rolling boil and allow it to stay at that stage for at least one minute before it is safe for you to use and allow it to cool and store it in a clean, covered container. You also have the option of treating the water with regular unscented bleach where you will add half a teaspoon of bleach to every five gallons of water and allow it to stand there for half hour before the water is safe for use.”
Lastly, be on the lookout for contaminated water. Here are some of the signs of contamination.
Anthony Flowers
“Sometimes, the water would take on an additional smell. So smell appearance as well, the water would look very dirty, very turbid. So increase turbidity – the water is cloudy as well as the smells, then they know they have to take extra precaution in order to make this water safe before you utilize it.”
