Hurricanes are among nature’s most powerful and destructive forces. Between early June and late November, hurricane season wreaks havoc throughout the Atlantic basin with severe winds, rain, and flooding. Physical damage is often at the center of these natural disasters and the impact on water quality is often overlooked. For communities in hurricane-prone regions like Florida, where every part of the coastline has experienced at least one hurricane since 1850, understanding how hurricanes affect water quality is crucial for maintaining safe, reliable drinking sources.
How Do Hurricanes Affect Drinking Water?
Whether you have a private well or rely on your municipality for water, a hurricane can affect your water supply. Weather conditions, along with the damage they cause, may introduce several contaminants into your water.
Flooding
Surface and groundwater supplies can become contaminated during flooding. As widespread flooding occurs, fast-moving water can carry sewage, industrial or agricultural runoff, chemicals, pollutants, pathogens, and debris into rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Floodwaters can also seep into wells and aquifers, the subsurface rock and sediment layers that hold water.
Saltwater Intrusion
Coastal areas, which are most commonly hit by hurricanes, often face storm surges. During a storm surge, salty seawater is pushed inland and contributes to flooding. When saltwater mixes with freshwater sources, the water becomes brackish and undrinkable without proper treatment.
Disruption of Water Treatment Facilities
Water treatment facilities face several risks during a hurricane. Since they rely on electricity to operate, a power outage can temporarily halt the treatment process. This could leave water either partially or completely untreated. With excess water from rain, flooding, and storm surges, treatment plants can also become overwhelmed, reducing treatment efficiency. Physical damage may also impact water production. Pumps, filtration systems, and chemical treatment systems can be severely damaged by hurricanes, putting a stop to water treatment.
Damage to Water Infrastructure
Between flooding, storm surges, and debris, hurricanes can cause water infrastructure like mainlines and other pipes to crack or break. This can cause leaks and a lack of water pressure and allow contaminants to enter distribution systems.
Following Hurricane Beryl’s descent over Houston, Texas in July 2024, residents of several surrounding counties faced a boil water notice after power outages crippled public water systems throughout the region. Homeowners relying on city water were directed to continue boiling water until operations could restart and then flush out systems once public water supplies were deemed safe again.
How to Protect Your Water After a Hurricane
During and following a hurricane, it’s important to check for signs of contamination in your water. If you’re able to run water, see if your water looks or smells any differently. Foul odors and discoloration are clear signs of an issue. However, even water that appears clear could still be contaminated.
Kind Water’s Whole House Salt-Free Water Softener and Filter Combo with UV is designed to protect homeowners relying on city water supplies in these exact situations. This combination system filters sediment, chlorine, chloramines, organics, and other common contaminants, protects from hard water scale, and mitigates virus and bacteria with the addition of our UV Water Purification System. As long as homeowners have power, they can count on their whole home system to maintain safer, cleaner water—without the need for boiling.
