Drought

Drought can impact our health in many ways. Some health effects are short-term and can be directly observed and measured. Drought can also cause long-term public health issues.

Health impacts of drought

Health impacts from periods of dry conditions may disrupt food and water supplies, reduce air quality, reduce water quality and quantity, and increase the risk of infectious disease through reduced use of water for sanitation and hygiene and contact with recreational water.

The dry conditions during droughts lend themselves to wildfires.  Droughts can also lead to increased dust which can worsen respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung conditions. We can all take steps to improve air quality whether or not we are experiencing dry conditions.

Acute respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses are more easily spread from person to person when hand washing is compromised by a perceived or real lack of available water. During water shortages, the risk for infectious disease increases when hygiene is not maintained.

Staying healthy in drought conditions

• Stay hydrated.
• Stay informed and follow any water management requirements from your local council.
• Follow the advice of Taumata Arowai on how to prepare for dry conditions, particularly if your water is sourced from surface or groundwater sources.
• Check for local public health warnings on recreational water quality such as algal blooms before going in the water to swim or allowing pets to swim.  Water levels may be down during a drought so be careful about recreational water activities like boating and diving during these periods.
• It is important to continue good hand hygiene and personal hygiene practices. 
• It is also important to continue to prepare safe food and wash fruits and vegetables 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Check out information on staying healthy in other extreme weather events on our emergency management and climate change pages.

National Public Health Service - Using greywater to water your garden: 

The New Zealand Drought Monitor is a system for keeping track of drought conditions across New Zealand based on a standardised climate index. To learn more about the monitoring system and view the current drought index map go to  NIWA. 

Find out how dry weather can impact drinking water, and what you can do to get ready for dry weather. Taumata Arowai 

It’s important to have a plan if dry conditions are forecast. Information is available for your wellbeing.  Find out what to do to prepare for dry conditions and during drought conditions. Ministry of Primary Industries. (MPI). MPI also has information on how to prepare food safely during a drought.

Follow your local air quality on Bay of Plenty Regional Council 

Follow any fire restrictions and know how to reduce fires from starting at Fire and Emergency New Zealand