Question

a town is severely affected by water pollution following a natural disaster. toilets are backed up and clean drinking water is scarce. which step can the local health department take to help? set up a health clinic to treat waterborne diseases. work with governments in other countries to stop water pollution. stop all services that provide water to individual homes in the town. monitor and report any sudden outbreaks of water - related diseases.

Explanation:

• Set up a health clinic to treat waterborne diseases: This is a proactive measure. In the context of water pollution and scarce clean water (which can lead to waterborne diseases), having a clinic to treat those already affected is a direct help.
• Work with governments in other countries to stop water pollution: While international cooperation is good in general, a local health department's immediate focus should be on the local population's health needs. Stopping water pollution (especially through international work) is a long - term and perhaps broader - scope task not as immediately relevant as treating the sick.
• Stop all services that provide water to individual homes in the town: This is an extreme and unhelpful measure. People still need some form of water (even if it's not ideal in quality, in the short - term, cutting off all water services would cause more harm).
• Monitor and report any sudden outbreaks of water - related diseases: Monitoring and reporting is important, but it is more of a surveillance role. In a situation where people are already likely to be affected (due to the described water problems), treating the sick (by setting up a clinic) is a more direct form of help.

Answer:

Set up a health clinic to treat waterborne diseases.