Guidance on water supply and sanitation in extreme weather events
Categories: Health National Adaptation Plans, Guidance document, Global, Climate Resilient Health Systems, Healthy Climate Action in Other Sectors
Publisher: World Health Organization
This guidance aims to support health resilience by promoting integrated risk assessment, disaster preparedness, early‑warning systems, and coordinated action across health, environment, and water sectors.
It highlights how floods, droughts, storms and other climate‑related hazards compromise water quality, infrastructure performance, and public health, outlining vulnerabilities in urban and rural settings. It also provides guidance on managing water supply and sanitation systems under extreme weather events, introducing Water Safety Plans as a structured approach for anticipating and controlling risks. Guidance includes adaptation measures related to infrastructure reinforcement, improved monitoring, communication strategies, and emergency planning to ensure sustained access to safe water and sanitation during and after extreme events.
Intended users
Ministries of health; Public health professionals; Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) professionals; Government officials (other sectors).