Water safety attitudes, risk perception, experiences, and education for households impacted by the 2018 Camp Fire, California

Tolulope O. Odimayomi (), Caitlin R. Proctor (), Qi Erica Wang (), Arman Sabbaghi (), Kimberly S. Peterson (), David J. Yu (), Juneseok Lee (), Amisha D. Shah (), Christian J. Ley (), Yoorae Noh (), Charlotte D. Smith (), Jackson P. Webster (), Kristin Milinkevich (), Michael W. Lodewyk (), Julie A. Jenks (), James F. Smith () and Andrew J. Whelton ()
Additional contact information
Tolulope O. Odimayomi: Purdue University
Caitlin R. Proctor: Purdue University
Qi Erica Wang: Purdue University
Arman Sabbaghi: Purdue University
Kimberly S. Peterson: Purdue University
David J. Yu: Purdue University
Juneseok Lee: Manhattan College
Amisha D. Shah: Purdue University
Christian J. Ley: Purdue University
Yoorae Noh: Purdue University
Charlotte D. Smith: University of California – Berkeley
Jackson P. Webster: California State University, Chico
Kristin Milinkevich: Butte College
Michael W. Lodewyk: Butte College
Julie A. Jenks: Butte College
James F. Smith: Charlotte Smith & Associates, Inc.
Andrew J. Whelton: Purdue University

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2021, vol. 108, issue 1, No 41, 947-975

Abstract: Abstract The 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County, California, was the state’s most destructive wildfire in history, destroying more than 14,600 homes. The wildfire caused widespread drinking water system chemical contamination resulting in acute and chronic health risks, requiring water use restrictions. Six months after the fire, the research team conducted a rapid community survey of attitudes and experiences that were specific to building water safety. The validated surveys represented 233 households. Amid the disaster response, 54% of the respondents self-reported that at least one member in their household had anxiety, stress, or depression directly related to the water contamination issues. Uncertainty about water and plumbing safety prompted respondents to alter water use in the home (83%), install in-home water treatment technologies (47%), and/or seek alternate water sources (85%). To provide affected households with answers to plumbing testing and safety questions, the research team designed and conducted a community education event. Many community members had technical questions about how to conduct water testing to determine whether their plumbing was safe. The research team identified several significant public health information gaps and a need for clear recommendations. This work illustrates the advantages of community involvement for resolving ambiguities in how households can respond to water safety issues following a natural disaster. Further, the authors posit that strong community engagement in this context can reduce both psychological distress and exposure risks.

Keywords: Wildfire; Drinking water; Infrastructure; Natech; Health; Chemical; Contamination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-021-04714-9

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