Purpose

This page helps households recognize life-threatening drought impacts, understand when water becomes unsafe or unavailable, and avoid the most common mistakes that lead to illness, dehydration, or forced displacement.

Scope

This is household-level preparedness guidance only.

It does not provide plumbing, well repair, water chemistry, agricultural, or medical treatment instructions.

Authority Override

Water advisories, restrictions, emergency orders, and relocation guidance issued by authorities override this page at all times.

FAST FACTS THAT AFFECT LIFE SAFETY

• Drought is a slow-onset disaster, which causes people to underestimate risk until systems fail.

• Safe water loss affects far more than drinking — sanitation, food safety, firefighting, healthcare, and power generation are all impacted.

• Boil-water advisories and complete water shutoffs are common in drought-affected rural and small municipal systems.

• Dehydration, heat illness, and hygiene-related infections rise significantly during prolonged drought.

• Low water levels increase contamination risk, allowing bacteria, chemicals, and sediments to concentrate.

• Drought increases wildfire risk, which can force sudden evacuation even in areas not previously considered fire-prone.

• Hydroelectric shortfalls during drought increase the likelihood of rolling blackouts during heat waves.

WHY DROUGHTS ARE SO DANGEROUS

Water shortage is not just inconvenience

• Reduced access to safe drinking water directly increases illness and dehydration risk.

Sanitation breakdown happens quietly

• Limited water reduces handwashing, toilet flushing, and cleaning — accelerating disease spread.

Water quality degrades before supply disappears

• Low pressure and low volume increase the chance of contamination entering systems.

Healthcare access is indirectly impacted

• Dialysis, wound care, respiratory therapy, and medication preparation all depend on clean water.

Food systems destabilize

• Crop losses, livestock deaths, and supply chain disruptions lead to shortages and price spikes.

Wildfire and heat amplify risk

• Drought rarely occurs alone — it compounds heat waves, smoke exposure, and evacuation risk.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK

• Rural and remote households relying on wells or small water systems

• Infants, seniors, pregnant individuals, and people with chronic illness

• Households with medical devices requiring water or power

• Low-income households with limited ability to relocate or store water

• Communities already experiencing heat waves or wildfire risk

EARLY WARNING SIGNS THAT SHOULD CHANGE YOUR PLAN

• Mandatory water restrictions or rationing orders

• Boil-water advisories (municipal or well systems)

• Falling well levels or intermittent water pressure

• Increased wildfire activity or burn bans

• Closure of public water sources or cooling centres

• Agricultural stress, livestock loss, or dust-heavy soil conditions

• Rolling power outages linked to heat or hydroelectric shortfall

WHAT NOT TO DO

This section is the priority.

• Do not assume tap or well water is safe during drought conditions — contamination risk increases.

• Do not dangerously ration drinking water — dehydration can become life-threatening quickly, especially during heat.

• Do not reduce hygiene to zero — lack of handwashing leads to rapid illness spread.

• Do not drink untreated surface water from streams, ponds, or reservoirs.

• Do not delay relocation if water is shut off or declared unsafe for medical or sanitation needs.

• Do not rely on last-minute water purchases — shortages escalate rapidly once restrictions tighten.

• Do not ignore wildfire risk — drought-driven fires often force sudden evacuation with little notice.

WATER SAFETY — CRITICAL GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE PEOPLE MISS

Assume water is unsafe if advised

• If a boil-water advisory is issued, follow it exactly until lifted.

Low pressure equals higher contamination risk

• Reduced flow can allow contaminants to enter pipes and wells.

Sanitation is a life-safety issue

• Poor hygiene leads to gastrointestinal illness, skin infections, and respiratory disease.

Children and seniors dehydrate faster

• They may not recognize thirst or illness early.

Pets and livestock matter

• Animals can become sick from contaminated water and spread illness indirectly.

STAY OR RELOCATE — DECISION FRAMEWORK

Shelter in place only if:

• Reliable, safe drinking water is available through approved sources

• Sanitation can be maintained safely

• Authorities confirm continued service, delivery, or distribution access

Relocate temporarily if:

• Water is shut off or declared unsafe

• Medical needs depend on clean running water

• You rely on a well that is critically low

• Drought conditions are escalating wildfire risk near your location

Key reality:

Drought relocation is often preventive, not reactive. Leaving early can prevent illness.

HOUSEHOLD WATER PLANNING — HIGH-LEVEL, LOW-LIABILITY GUIDANCE

Minimum emergency baseline

• 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and essential hygiene

Plan for duration

• At least 7 days, longer in rural or remote areas

Priority order

• Drinking and food preparation

• Hygiene and sanitation

• Cleaning and laundry last

Storage safety

• Use clean, food-grade containers only

• Rotate or treat stored water according to official guidance

ESSENTIALS FOR DROUGHT CONDITIONS

Focus on preventing dehydration, illness, and unsafe sanitation:

• Stored drinking water

• Approved water treatment options

• Low-water hygiene supplies

• Shelf-stable food requiring minimal water

• Backup power for refrigeration and medical devices

• Written household water-use and hygiene plan

CASCADING FAILURES TO PLAN FOR

• Power outages during heat waves

• Medical access disruption

• Food supply interruptions

• Wildfire evacuation overlap

• Long-term displacement, not days but months in severe cases

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT DROUGHT RESOURCES

Canada

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/water-overview/droughts.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/healthy-living/environment/water/boil-water-advisories.html

https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agriculture-and-environment/drought-watch

https://weather.gc.ca/

United States

https://www.ready.gov/drought

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/droughts-and-water-use

Last Reviewed

February 2026