Recent flash flooding caused by heavy rainfall in New England, particularly Massachusetts, highlights the importance of being ready for emergencies.

Natural disasters, such as hurricanes or stormwater runoff, are among the different types of emergencies that can affect tap water, including the following:

• Vandalism
• Sabotage/terrorism
• Waste leakage
• Major water main breaks
• Power outages
• System malfunctions
• Human error

While it can be difficult to predict these types of events, we can plan ahead to minimize the inconvenience a water emergency can cause.

It’s recommended that, depending on your personal circumstances, you should store enough water in new airtight containers to sustain yourself and your family for between three and 14 days. Avoid using containers that previously stored other liquids, such as milk, which could promote bacteria growth. Store these containers in a cool location and change them out every few months to keep the water fresh.

Suppliers may use traditional and/or social media to issue a “boil water” or “do not drink” notice when testing indicates a problem.