International Bottled Water Association | NEWS RELEASE | August 31, 2018
Plan for your emergency water needs during National Preparedness Month
Alexandria, VA – September is National Preparedness Month, and the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is reminding consumers about the importance of planning ahead for natural disasters (e.g., floods, hurricanes, wildfires) or other emergencies, when tap water may become compromised and unsafe to drink. The bottled water industry is committed to providing safe, reliable bottled water to disaster victims through emergency support organizations, city and state governments, relief centers, retailers, and other points of distribution.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Ready.gov are encouraging all Americans to take some time this September to create a family emergency communication plan and practice what to do during an emergency. This year’s theme — “Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How” — focuses on planning for the unexpected by not only learning lifesaving skills (e.g., CPR) but also stocking your emergency supply kits with necessary items — such as food, flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, and, of course, bottled water. Americans are also encouraged to participate in a National Day of Action on September 15.
Access to safe, clean drinking water during emergency situations is a must, and IBWA wants consumers to know that smart planning and preparation for your water needs can make a big difference in one’s ability to get through and recover from a natural disaster or emergency. FEMA specifically recommends that people use store-bought bottled water –– at least 1 gallon, per-person, per-day, for at least three days –– in your basic emergency supplies kit and also consider storing a two-week supply of water for each member of your family, and even more water if you reside in a warm climate.
“People who plan ahead will have a readily available and adequate supply of clean, safe drinking water,” said Jill Culora, IBWA vice president of communications. “Storing bottled water in advance is a safe and convenient way to ensure that you have access to reliable potable water and won’t need to face empty shelves during a last minute trip to the market.”
The bottled water industry is always at the forefront of relief efforts during and after natural disasters and emergencies, ready to supply clean drinking water to survivors. In IBWA’s video, “Bottled Water – Always There When You Need It,” you can see how hard the bottled water industry works to ensure that bottled water is available during such situations.
Destruction caused by powerful storms such as hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma in 2017 underscore the importance of planning ahead for natural disasters and emergencies.
“Hurricanes and other natural disasters can be stark reminders of how important it is for people to take a moment to re-assess their risks and update their emergency plans,” said Culora. “Catastrophic situations tend to be rare, but boil alerts and other types of public water system disruptions are frequent occurrences across the country. In addition, volatility in weather nationwide only reinforces the importance of always being prepared for unexpected and dangerous weather.”
The bottled water industry is proud to help consumers meet their hydration needs during emergency and crisis situations, in addition to providing safe, healthy water on a daily basis at homes, offices, and on-the-go. It is important for people to understand that bottled water is available in times of emergency because the industry is strong and viable throughout the year.
More information about bottled water can be found at www.bottledwater.org.
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Media Contact:
Jill Culora
703-647-4609
jculora@bottledwater.org
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA’s membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.
In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.
IBWA is proud to be a partner with Keep America Beautiful and a supporter of Drink Up, an initiative of former First Lady Michelle Obama and the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which encourages Americans to drink more water more often – whether from the tap, a filter, or in a bottle. Choosing water is always the healthy choice.
