Flooding is one of the most common and devastating natural disasters in the United States. In fact, it’s estimated that floods cost taxpayers $6 billion every year. Not only do floods cause extensive property damage, they also contaminate water supplies and create hazardous conditions.
If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it’s important to take steps to protect your home and your family’s health. In this blog post, we will discuss how to prepare for a flood and what to do if your home is affected.
Which Areas Are Impacted by Floods?
Flooding can occur anywhere in the United States, but there are certain areas that are more prone to flooding than others, such as regions with coastlines, many bodies of water, or high water tables.
There are also a few environmental factors that can make flooding more likely. For example:
- Heavy rains: If the ground is already saturated with water, it won’t take much rain to cause flooding.
- Dam failure: If a dam or levee fails, it can cause extensive flooding downstream.
- Melting snow: As the snow melts, it can cause rivers and streams to rise.
How Can You Protect Your Home from Flooding?
According to the National Weather Service, “floods are most common in the spring and summer months when heavy rains can quickly fill rivers and streams.” But if you live in an area that is susceptible to flooding, it’s important to be prepared anytime. There are a few things you can do to protect your home:
- Install check valves or backflow preventers on all drains and sewer lines leading into your home. This will help prevent floodwater from entering your home through the sewers.
- Elevate any electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, fuse boxes, and wiring, at least two feet above the expected flood level.
- Install flood vents in your foundation to allow water to enter without damaging your home.
- Move any valuable or irreplaceable items to a higher location in your home.
Is Flooding a Danger to Water Supplies?
Even if your property isn’t damaged by floodwaters, your water supply may be contaminated. Floodwaters often contain sewage and other contaminants that can make you sick, leaving your tap water unsafe to drink.
If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it’s important to have a plan for how you will get safe drinking water if your tap water becomes contaminated. That’s why, in addition to protecting your home, you also need to be prepared with a supply of clean water.
Preparing Your Emergency Water Supply
It’s recommended that you store at least one gallon of water per person, per day for three days. If you have a family of four, that means you should have 12 gallons of water stored away. You can store water in bottles or containers, but make sure they are clean and sterile. You can sterilize containers by boiling them for five minutes or using bleach (one tablespoon per gallon of water). Once you have your water supply, it’s important to keep it in a cool, dark place.
Can You Shower or Clean with Contaminated Water?
If your water supply is contaminated, you should not drink it or use it for cooking. However, you can still use it for bathing and cleaning. Just be sure to avoid getting the water in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
In-Home Water Filtration Makes Your Drinking Water Safer
Even if you have a supply of clean water stored away, it’s still a good idea to have a filtration system in your home to protect yourself and your family. That way, if your water becomes contaminated, you can filter it and make it safe to drink. Plus, you can bathe and clean with greater confidence, as a good filtration system will remove bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from your water.
There are a few different types of filtration systems that you can use:
- Reverse osmosis filters: These filters remove contaminants from your water by forcing it through a semipermeable membrane.
- Activated carbon filters: These filters remove contaminants by adsorbing them onto the surface of the filter.
- Water distillation systems: These systems remove contaminants by boiling the water and collecting the resulting vapor.
Not sure which type of filtration system your household needs? Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate this decision alone. Experienced water filtration specialists can evaluate your unique situation and recommend a solution tailored to your needs.
Get Peace of Mind with The Science of Water
When you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it’s important to take steps to protect your home and your family’s health.
If you’re concerned that contaminants may be lurking in your water or come in with the next flood, get ahead of the crisis. Our pros at The Science of Water can help you achieve cleaner water all day, every day.
At The Science of Water, we assess and install water filtration systems to meet your unique needs, using advanced technology backed by both NASA and the EPA. With our advanced water systems, you can purify your water supply to enjoy safer, clearer, and more delicious water through every tap and appliance in your home — which is especially important in the wake of a disaster.
We even offer free water quality testing and consultations. Our technicians will assess your situation and recommend the perfect filtration system to suit your needs and budget.
Don’t wait for flooding or other crises to strike and compromise your drinking water. Proactively protect your household with safe water that can be relied on. For more information about The Science of Water or to book your free water test, just get in touch with our team today!