Drinking water supply for communities affected by natural disaster emergencies: a qualitative study

Ensuring access to safe drinking water is vital for reducing health risks and strengthening disaster resilience. In water-scarce Iran, where natural disasters further strain resources, water supply experts play a key role in crisis management. Their firsthand experience across diverse regions provides valuable insights. Despite extensive research on emergency water management, this qualitative study explores key dimensions for optimizing drinking water provision to disaster-affected areas and centers by leveraging their expertise in real disaster scenarios.

This study used a qualitative design with conventional content analysis. Data were collected through purposive sampling with maximum variation until saturation was reached, involving participants with academic and practical experience in water supply management during natural disasters. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from March to September 2024 and analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman approach. The transcripts were processed using MAXQDA software (version 2020). To ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings, the study followed Lincoln and Guba's criteria, including credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

After analyzing the interviews, 509 initial codes were extracted and grouped into 84 subcategories, 24 categories, and four main themes. These four themes include: prevention and reduction of water supply challenges, covering risk assessment, and legal requirements and standards; preparedness for an optimal response, involving planning, coordination and organization, and training and empowerment; reactive measures namely readiness and initial assessment, and emergency training for the public; and optimal recovery, which focuses on reconstruction, and knowledge management.

This study identifies critical factors for enhancing emergency water supply during natural disasters. The proposed innovative measures in this study include equipping emergency water extraction taps on main pipelines, considering the social characteristics of geographic areas in emergency water supply planning, and the crucial role of community participation in water management before and after disasters. These findings can help policymakers and water resource managers develop effective regulations and training programs to enhance disaster preparedness and response.