Division of Water
CDC Releases Guide for Protecting Public Health During Drought Conditions

Every Drop County: Protecting Public Health During Drought Conditions – A Guide for Public Health Professionals includes information about how drought affects public health, recommends steps to help mitigate the health effects of drought, identifies future needs for research and other drought-related activities and provides a list of helpful resources and tools.

Bill Caldwell, an environmental scientist at the Kentucky Division of Water, was one of the technical advisors on the project.

“Drought poses a variety of risks to human health in addition to the obvious threat to drinking water supplies,” Caldwell said.  “Many communities have populations that may be vulnerable to contaminated water sources, increased incidence of disease, poor air quality or poor sanitation and hygiene. These risks should be evaluated by public health officials and incorporated into community drought planning exercises. This document is the first comprehensive guide to assist public health officials with that effort.”

Twenty-seven counties in western and central Kentucky are currently under a Level 1 drought declaration (see map below). A Level I drought indicates moderate drought conditions have developed primarily affecting soil moisture and vegetative health. Serious impacts to agricultural water needs, wildfire risk and other water-sensitive sectors can be expected in the designated areas.

To obtain a copy of or for more information about When Every Drop Counts: Protecting Public Health During Drought Conditions—A Guide for Public Health Professionals, please send an e-mail to drought@cdc.gov. An electronic version of the document is downloadable from NCEH’s Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/Publications/Drought.htm.