Technical Guidance → Water supply

Water supply

Water is essential for life, health and dignity.

Demands for and availability of water in emergencies will vary dependent on:

- the nature and scale of the emergency e.g. flooding or drought limiting supplies
- affected locations e.g. climate, existing water sources, security
- affected populations e.g. density, pre-existing health and hygiene practices, culture

In severe emergencies there may insufficient water to meet basic needs. Priority must be given to addressing the survival needs (drinking and cooking) for all, followed by a staged approach to addressing basic needs as the situation improves. 

Providing sufficient water in emergencies

Selection of appropriate water sources will be affected by:

• the type and availability of sources e.g. boreholes, open wells, rivers, rainfall collection;
• rehabilitation required e.g. urban pumped/piped supplies, cleaning wells after flooding; 
• water quantities needed for different groups e.g. for survival. basic hygiene; 
• proximity to the affected population and potential risks in water collection; 
• social, political or legal considerations such ownership or usage rights.

Ground water sources and gravity flow supplies e.g. from springs are preferable as they require minimal treatment or pumping. The environmental impact on all sources should be considered.

Both water quantity and quality are important. However in emergencies, priority is given to providing sufficient quantity for survival, even if it is intermediate quality.
 

The quantity of water required to meet basic needs will be highly dependent on the local context including climate, cooking and hygiene practices, differing habits of men and women, cultural and religious practices e.g. washing before prayer.

Quality and treatment of water in emergencies

• Identify sanitary practices and assess contamination risks as the basis for planning effective treatment measures with the affected population. 
• Understand local norms in sourcing water. Unprotected sources may be preferred due to taste, convenience, proximity, physical safety e.g. collecting water from the same location (river, lake, unprotected well) as washing clothes. 
• Safe water can be contaminated during collection/drawing, transport or storage. Mitigate such risks by providing suitable water transport and storage containers and treatment at source. See resources below for appropriate specifications (filtration/flocculation and disinfection).
• Treat all drinking water supplies where there is threat of diarrhoea epidemic.
• Facilitate household level treatment when treatment at source or centrally is not possible. Appropriate options will depend on existing sanitary conditions, water quality and hygiene practices. Effective promotion, community sensitisation, training and on-going monitoring are integral to effective treatment.
• Adapt water containers and collection points e.g. taps or hand pumps, for use by the elderly, children, the disabled, ill and those affected by HIV and AIDS
• Engage the affected population, particularly women in siting water points and design of facilities for bathing, laundry, washing and drying underwear