Hot weather kills people and animals

A Georgia summer can have periods of consecutive days with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees. These abnormally hot conditions, or heat waves, are dangerous.

Besides being uncomfortable, hot weather is a killer. The best defense against heat-related medical problems is going to a cool place to recover and drinking plenty of water.

Since sweating is the body’s natural and very effective mode of cooling, it is necessary to drink plenty of water to remain hydrated. Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages should be avoided because they increase water loss from more frequent urination.

Thirst is not a good indicator for your body’s water needs. If you are working or playing in a hot environment and don’t have to urinate once every few hours, then your probably not drinking enough water.

Researchers have found that major heat-related health problems increase drastically on the third day of a heat wave. If the heat index at night doesn't fall below 74 degrees, people and animals have a hard time recovering from the daytime heat.

Heat-related health problems are a concern especially for the elderly, those with underlying health problems and those on medications that interfere with the body’s ability to cool.

Check on friends and relatives during heat waves. Since the impact of heat is cumulative, check on the elderly a number of times during a heat wave. Consult the doctors of the elderly about proper hot-weather precautions for them.

The homeless are at greater risk during hot weather. Because of the “heat island” effect of cities and towns, people spending the night outside are less likely to have the necessary recovery time. Additionally, the homeless can have problems getting an adequate amount of water to remain properly hydrated.

Noticing the signs of a heat-related medical problem and getting swift help can save a life.

The primary symptom of a heat stroke is that the person is very hot to the touch. The mental status of the person may be altered, too, and range from mildly confused to unconscious. Often the skin will not only be hot but also dry. However, it is important to realize that if the skin is moist, this does not mean that the person isn’t having a heat stroke.

Anyone exhibiting heat stroke symptoms needs immediate medical attention and hospitalization. Call 911 immediately and move the person to a cool place out of the sun. Follow the instructions of the 911 operator. Cool the person by applying moist cloths or spraying with water, directing air from a fan or air conditioner over them. If the person can drink water, give him water.

A person having a heat stroke can mimic a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The person might have slurred speech or stumble around. These can also be signs of other medical problems. If the person has been in the heat and is hot to the touch, assume that the person is in heat stroke and call 911.

A basic first aid book will give more detailed information and treatments for heat stroke and other heat-related medical conditions.

Animals that can't get to well-ventilated shade and don't have a ready supply of cool, fresh, drinking water are also at risk. A doghouse in an open pen doesn't supply well-ventilated shade.

As with humans, animals need recovery time. Getting pets the needed recovery time may mean bringing them indoors at night.

Remember to consult your physician for explicit ways for you to avoid heat-related problems in your area this summer.

By David Stooksbury
University of Georgia

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Rainwater finds new use as toilet water

Recently, the plumbing code in Georgia was amended to allow homeowners to use rainwater and gray water to flush toilets and urinals, something that will help them weather the next drought and conserve water now, says a University of Georgia water expert.

“Most of our water demand could be supplied by harvested rainwater,” said Frank Henning, a former watershed agent with UGA Cooperative Extension. “It would be a win-win-win development. Rainwater harvesting can improve water conservation, reduce storm water problems and reduce the need to construct expensive reservoirs.”

Henning is a liaison between the Environmental Protection Agency and land-grant universities. EPA estimates that potable water, or water clean enough to drink, accounts for 20 percent of household water needs. The other 80 percent ends up going down the toilet, dripping into gardens as irrigation or swishing around a washing machine.

If Georgians started using rainwater or gray water, which is used water from the shower, laundry or sink, to flush toilets, they would save more drinking water and put less strain on municipal supplies.

Annual rainfall

Georgia’s sky produces plenty of water, about 50 inches in a normal year. Every inch of rain produces 623 gallons of water on a 1,000 square foot roof. Doing the math, more than 60,000 gallons of water will rush off of the rooftops of most homes every year in Georgia.

“If each home harvested these thousands of gallons available each month, when you multiply that by the households we have, the amount of water that can be harvested is tremendous,” Henning said. “There wouldn’t be as much storm water; and erosion, flooding and stream impairment would likely be reduced.”

In states where water is scarcer, like New Mexico, local governments require that new homes be built with rain harvesting systems.

“There, rainwater is seen as part of the water supply, not some fringe, kook package. We are hoping that rainwater harvesting will become a mainstream practice throughout the Southeast,” Henning said.

Using rainwater

While it may sound easy, rainwater harvesting involves more than a rain barrel and a hose.

A harvesting system requires a collection system, a pump, a filter, disinfection, delivery pipe and a safety valve so the municipal supply is not contaminated. The American Rainwater Catchment System Association, or ARCSA, certifies installers who can set up home systems.

Currently, gray water must be colored so that people can tell that it’s not drinking water. It must also flow through purple pipes. Both gray water and rainwater pipes and fixtures must be marked so that people know what kind of water they’re using.

“We don’t expect people to drink water out of their toilets, but it is always good to take extra precautions for safety,” Henning said. “In the future, if the home switches hands, people will know their water is coming from a non-potable source.”

Bacteria?

Rainwater use can bring up worries about bacteria. Henning says that most people aren’t scared of stream water. It usually has higher bacteria counts than the water in gutters.

“Studies have shown that there is very little chance that bacteria would make it to your mouth unless you’re washing your hands in it or drinking it,” he said. “So don’t take after the dog.”

Georgia is in the final stages of developing guidance documents on using rainwater and gray water. The final drafts are expected this summer. For more information, visit www.dca.state.ga.us/development/constructioncodes/programs/codeamendments.asp.

By Stephanie Schupska
University of Georgia

Stephanie Schupska is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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