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Water safety attitudes, risk perception, experiences, and education for households impacted by the 2018 Camp Fire, California

Author

Listed:
  • Tolulope O. Odimayomi

    (Purdue University)

  • Caitlin R. Proctor

    (Purdue University)

  • Qi Erica Wang

    (Purdue University)

  • Arman Sabbaghi

    (Purdue University)

  • Kimberly S. Peterson

    (Purdue University)

  • David J. Yu

    (Purdue University)

  • Juneseok Lee

    (Manhattan College)

  • Amisha D. Shah

    (Purdue University)

  • Christian J. Ley

    (Purdue University)

  • Yoorae Noh

    (Purdue University)

  • Charlotte D. Smith

    (University of California – Berkeley
    Charlotte Smith & Associates, Inc.)

  • Jackson P. Webster

    (California State University, Chico)

  • Kristin Milinkevich

    (Butte College)

  • Michael W. Lodewyk

    (Butte College)

  • Julie A. Jenks

    (Butte College
    Camp Fire Zone Project)

  • James F. Smith

    (Charlotte Smith & Associates, Inc.)

  • Andrew J. Whelton

    (Purdue University)

Abstract

The 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County, California, was the state’s most destructive wildfire in history, destroying more than 14,600 homes. The wildfire caused widespread drinking water system chemical contamination resulting in acute and chronic health risks, requiring water use restrictions. Six months after the fire, the research team conducted a rapid community survey of attitudes and experiences that were specific to building water safety. The validated surveys represented 233 households. Amid the disaster response, 54% of the respondents self-reported that at least one member in their household had anxiety, stress, or depression directly related to the water contamination issues. Uncertainty about water and plumbing safety prompted respondents to alter water use in the home (83%), install in-home water treatment technologies (47%), and/or seek alternate water sources (85%). To provide affected households with answers to plumbing testing and safety questions, the research team designed and conducted a community education event. Many community members had technical questions about how to conduct water testing to determine whether their plumbing was safe. The research team identified several significant public health information gaps and a need for clear recommendations. This work illustrates the advantages of community involvement for resolving ambiguities in how households can respond to water safety issues following a natural disaster. Further, the authors posit that strong community engagement in this context can reduce both psychological distress and exposure risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Tolulope O. Odimayomi & Caitlin R. Proctor & Qi Erica Wang & Arman Sabbaghi & Kimberly S. Peterson & David J. Yu & Juneseok Lee & Amisha D. Shah & Christian J. Ley & Yoorae Noh & Charlotte D. Smith & , 2021. "Water safety attitudes, risk perception, experiences, and education for households impacted by the 2018 Camp Fire, California," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 108(1), pages 947-975, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:108:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11069-021-04714-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-021-04714-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Julie Von Behren & Michelle Wong & Daniela Morales & Peggy Reynolds & Paul B. English & Gina Solomon, 2022. "Returning Individual Tap Water Testing Results to Research Study Participants after a Wildfire Disaster," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Marti Lindsey & Ben Richmond & Daniel R. Quintanar & Jordan Spradlin & Loren Halili, 2022. "Insights into Improving Risk and Safety Communication through Environmental Health Literacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-23, April.
    3. Kristin B. Dobbin & Amanda L. Fencl & Gregory Pierce & Melissa Beresford & Silvia Gonzalez & Wendy Jepson, 2023. "Understanding perceived climate risks to household water supply and their implications for adaptation: evidence from California," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(4), pages 1-20, April.

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