Appendix E: Water: Sewage & Wastewater Contaminants

Flooding or infrastructure damage can lead to sewage overflows, exposing children to pathogens, pharmaceutical residues, and household chemicals, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal infections, chemical poisoning, and long-term health issues.

Discussion Prompts for Children's Programs

• Can you describe any immediate concerns you've heard from parents or staff regarding the safety of water in and around the program facilities, especially after the flooding or sewage overflow?

• Has the program been provided with any guidance from local health authorities on how to manage wastewater contamination, like preventing exposure for children playing outside or using water from affected sources?

• What steps, if any, has the program taken to limit children's exposure to potentially contaminated water, like through restricting access to flood zones or ensuring safe drinking water on site?

• How are local public health officials communicating with families, schools, and communities about waterborne disease risks and how to recognize symptoms, especially in children?

• Have there been any efforts from local or federal agencies to clean up or disinfect areas around the facility that might have been contaminated by sewage or wastewater, and is there a timeline for those efforts?

• What support or resources does the program need to help families access safe water or sanitation facilities, especially if they are still without clean drinking water?

Ideas for Mitigation & Intervention

• Well and Septic System Contamination Guidance: Provide printed and radio-based instructions on how to check for sewage contamination in private wells or septic overflows, emphasizing how children are more vulnerable to illness.

• Promote Child Hygiene Campaigns Through Schools: Encourage schools to implement "wash your hands after floodwater contact" campaigns, with take-home reminders and classroom visuals tailored to young children.

Cultivating Allies 

• Coordinate with state, tribal, territorial, and local public health agencies to identify which agencies or departments have responsibilities, roles, or authority related to asbestos.

• Research local and regional networks that offer education, advocacy, or direct services related to asbestos, such as nonprofits, coalitions, or service providers.

• Identify subject matter experts from federal agencies, academic institutions, or the private sector who can support assessment, interpretation, or planning activities.