Weather Disasters and How they can Affect Water
A few months ago, the American Southeast was battered by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Communities in coastal states like Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia suffered flooding, downed trees, widespread power loss, major property damage, and more because of these weather disasters.
One side effect of weather events like hurricanes that isn’t often talked about, is how water systems are affected. In addition to heavy rain and strong winds, hurricanes can create severe and disastrous water disruptions to both water in nature and industrial water. Below are just a few examples of issues that can be caused by severe weather.
Flooding/ Overflow
Flooding is the most obvious and immediate side-effect of a hurricane. The massive amounts of rain and storm surge create conditions in which water rapidly rises and accumulates for extended periods of time. Floods can block evacuation routes, destroy infrastructure, disrupt supply lines, and create extremely dangerous and life-threatening conditions.
Contamination
When hurricanes hit, the intense rainfall can overwhelm sewage systems and water treatment facilities and can carry harmful debris and toxins from urban areas into sources for drinking water, making it unsafe for consumption. Storm surge can also bring in saltwater, further contaminating freshwater lakes and rivers. People often get boil-water advisories after weather events, as water supplies may carry bacteria, viruses, or parasites that can lead to disease outbreaks.
Algae Bloom
The massive nutrient runoff after a hurricane can feed algae growth, leading to algae blooms. As stormwater carries fertilizers, sewage, and organic matter into rivers, lakes, and oceans, it triggers a surge in nutrient levels (like nitrogen and phosphorus). These nutrients create the perfect environment for algae to flourish. Algae blooms not only turn water bodies a murky green but can also release toxins harmful to marine life, animals, and humans.
Industrial Water
In addition to the effects above, industrial operations can also be affected by changes in water. While potability isn’t a top concern for many industrial processes, major changes to supply water can create issues after a severe weather phenomenon. Breaks in supply lines can lead to material shortages. Increased contamination in source water might require chemical or operational changes. The risk of fouling and other water issues could increase dramatically. A water treatment expert can help determine the quickest and most effective way to get a facility back to normal after a weather disaster.
Conclusion
Water is an integral part of the natural world, and any disruption – such as a hurricane – is bound to have cascading impacts and create water-related challenges. And while preparedness and emergency planning can mitigate the negative impacts of a severe storm, expert water treatment is the easiest and most effective way to ensure your water is up to spec.
Fact Water can provide a tailored solution to any water problem. Whether you need to return a facility to normalcy after a weather disaster, optimize operations, troubleshoot existing issues, or something else, we have you covered.