Supporting Public Health in the Aftermath of Flooding
Floods are among the most common and destructive natural disasters globally. In addition to infrastructure damage, floods significantly disrupt access to safe water, thereby increasing the risk of widespread public health emergencies associated with waterborne diseases. Sewage overflows, damaged sanitation systems, and contaminated water sources can create conditions that allow illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery to spread rapidly without timely intervention.
For aid organisations and first responders, the immediate priority shifts from rescue to WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). Ensuring access to safe drinking water is crucial in preventing outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations in the aftermath of a flood.
As the response shifts to WASH, ensuring access to safe water becomes critical. For NGOs, government agencies, and emergency teams, Aquatabs provide a reliable, field-proven solution for rapid water disinfection at scale.
Why Aquatabs Are Suited to Emergency Response Operations
Aquatabs are effervescent tablets containing Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC), widely used in emergency WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) programmes. They are endorsed and deployed by international humanitarian agencies worldwide.
Here’s why they are relied upon in disaster contexts:
1. Operational Simplicity
Aquatabs are designed for use in resource-constrained environments. They require no power, special equipment, or technical training. Key features include:
- Rapid disinfection: Aquatabs dissolve quickly, treating water within 30 minutes.
- Simple application: Tablets are dosed for specific volumes (e.g. 1L, 10L, or cistern-sized containers), ensuring accuracy and consistency.
- User-friendly deployment: Can be distributed at the household level or through centralised water points with minimal supervision.
This ease of use makes Aquatabs suitable for immediate decentralised implementation in emergency shelters, clinics, and community sites.
2. Logistical Superiority in Crisis
Aquatabs are compact and lightweight, offering significant logistical advantages compared to liquid chlorine or traditional filtration units:
- High-volume transport: Millions of tablets can be transported on a single pallet, reducing freight costs and delivery times.
- Shelf stability: Aquatabs strip packs offer a guaranteed five-year shelf life, making them suitable for advanced placement in high-risk regions.
- Minimal storage requirements: Aquatabs remain stable in a wide range of environments and do not require refrigeration.
These attributes enable rapid mobilisation and distribution, particularly in hard-to-reach or infrastructure-damaged areas.
3. Broad-Spectrum Protection
Floodwaters carry a mix of bacterial, viral, and protozoal threats. Aquatabs are tested and proven to eliminate a wide range of microorganisms responsible for major waterborne diseases:
- Kills bacteria, viruses, and cysts, including those that cause cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis A.
- Residual protection: Unlike boiling water, Aquatabs provide a residual level of free chlorine in the water container, reducing the risk of post-treatment recontamination.
This comprehensive disinfection capability supports both outbreak prevention and ongoing health protection during the recovery phase.
Supporting Preparedness and Resilience
In the context of increasing climate-driven disasters, WASH preparedness is critical. Planning with adequate supplies of effective water treatment products can significantly improve response times and reduce the burden on healthcare systems during emergencies.
Aquatabs are currently integrated into national and regional preparedness strategies, including:
- Ministry of Health emergency kits
- Emergency supply catalogues
- NGO-held reserves in flood-prone regions
Their proven field performance, combined with cost-efficiency and logistical simplicity, makes them an essential component of any emergency water response plan.
Containing Outbreaks. Restoring Health.
The goal of disaster response is to restore stability and protect public health as quickly as possible. Aquatabs support this by offering a safe, simple, and scalable solution to one of the most urgent threats in any flood emergency: waterborne disease. For responders working under pressure, Aquatabs enable rapid, decentralised access to safe drinking water – reducing the risk of outbreaks from day one.
This commitment extends beyond the product itself. It’s about equipping frontline teams with a trusted, proven tool to protect lives and support long-term recovery.
If your organisation is involved in emergency preparedness, response, or WASH programming, Aquatabs should be considered a frontline solution for ensuring safe drinking water in flood-affected areas.
To discuss procurement, technical specifications, or pre-positioning arrangements, please don’t hesitate to contact our team: Robert Cooper, Kate Devereux
Aquatabs – trusted by the global response community for over 35 years.
