WATER

WHY STORE WATER?

Natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, andfires, can pollute or disrupt your drinking water distribution system. Water is more essential then food in sustaining life. It is wise to have an emergency storage of water. Along with the storage of water, you need to know where to find an emergency source of water and how to make it safe to drink.

HOW MUCH DO I NEED?

A normal active adult should drink at least 1/2 gallon of water per day. Additional water is needed for brushing teeth, bathing, and cleaning cooking utensils. Store as much water as you have space for, but a three days supply is considered to be a minimum amount. The recommended amount is at least 14 gallons per person.

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN AN EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY?

You can store tap water in clean beverage bottles so long as you have an airtight seal. However, do not use containers that have held fluids or materials that were not drinkable or edible.

Water can be purchased at a market in soft plastic containers or from water retailers in large 5 gallon hard plastic bottles. Other emergency sources are toilet reservoir tanks (not the bowl), so long as chemical disinfectants and cleaners have not been added; ice cubes, and hot water heaters.
NOTE:To ensure your hot water heater survives an earthquake, secure it to the wall with metal strapping and heavy bolts.

HOW LONG CAN I STORE IT?

Well sealed containers can be kept for at least a year. Mark containers with the current date and place in a cool, dark place. Replace soft plastic bottles within one year of the storage date.

CAUTION: Do not use empty bleach bottles and other containers which were not used for beverages; these are not food grade bottles and the plastic may slowly decompose into the water.
However, large five gallon hard plastic drinking bottles can be reused for several years.

TO STORE WATER

To properly store water you need to treat it.

HOW DO I PURIFY WATER?

If your stored emergency water is destroyed in the disaster, you may need to know how to purify water. Water, whether cloudy or clear, that has been exposed to the air for a few days should be boiled vigorously for 10 minutes to kill bacteria. Also water purification tablets are available at many drug and camping supply stores; follow directions on the label.

Some kinds of "Liquid Chlorine Bleach" can be used. Check the label; it should contain 5.25% hypochlorite to be effective in killing bacteria. Add to water using an eye dropper in the amount indicated below. Stir. Wait 30 minutes before drinking.

Amount of Water / Amount of Bleach If water is Clear / Amount of Bleach If water is Cloudy
1 gallon
5 gallons / 8 drops
1/2 teaspoon / 16 drops
1 teaspoon

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How to Purify Water

Mosquito infested water - a good sign it needs purifying

Pure water is essential. If you are traveling in a country or backpacking in the mountains you need to know how to purify water.

Boiling Treatment

  1. Bring water to a rolling boil, and keep it at a rolling boil for the time specified in the chart below. At sea level, water must boil for 5 minutes to be safe. Roughly, for every 500 feet increase in altitude drops the temperature of boiling one degree Fahrenheit so you must boil it one minute longer to achieve the safe level of heat. This will kill harmful organisms.
  2. Skim off any residue on the top, or pour into a container with a tap at the bottom to dispense the water.

Altitude / Degrees(F) / Time (rolling boil)
Sea level / 212 / 5 minutes
500 feet / 211 / 6 minutes
1000 feet / 210 / 7 minutes
1500 feet / 209 / 8 minutes
2500 feet / 207 / 10 minutes
5000 feet / 202 / 15 minutes
6000 feet / 200 / 17 minutes
7000 feet / 198 / 20 minutes

Bleach Treatment

  1. Filter the water if it looks cloudy or dirty. Pouring the water through a coffee filter, cloth such as a bandanna, will help, but it will not remove organisms.
  2. Add two drops of household bleach per quart or per liter for clean looking water. Add four drops per quart or per liter for dirty water (16 drops of bleach per gallon of water). Bleach is a widely accepted method of emergency water disinfection, and is recommended by many agencies. Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, color-safe bleaches, or bleaches with added cleaners.
  3. Stir or agitate water to disperse the bleach.
  4. Wait 30 minutes and repeats the dosages if there is NOT a slight chlorine odor (you should notice a slight chlorine smell). This odor can be lessened by pouring the water between two containers a couple of times.

The Iodine Method

  1. Use 2% U.S.P. strength iodine, or purchase purification tablets from a camping store. It is useful to carry a small container with you when camping for both emergency purification needs and first aid.
  2. Put 2 or 3 drops in a bottle and shake it up to disperse the iodine.
  3. Wait 20-30 minutes for the iodine to purify the water and to avoid drinking the iodine.
  4. Use this method sparingly, as too much iodine can be poisonous.
  5. For larger doses, use about 20-40 drops per gallon of water.

Tips

  • Boiling is considered one of the most effective methods of water purification and will kill bacteria, viruses and protozoans. However, it uses significant amounts of fuel, which may be a problem if camping, and does not remove sediments from water.
  • Always wash the container that will hold your water first. If you are using non-purified water to wash the container wash it with strong bleach water or at least rinse it with the purified water.
  • Read the directions on iodine tablets before purchasing. It takes more than you think it will!
  • Iodine water tastes terrible. Use a drink mix to cover the flavor.
  • In the most recent Popular Science Issue there is a new thing called a life straw, search it on Google. It is priced at about $5 and purifies over 300 gallons of water.
  • You may want to filter the water before you purify it. There are two ways to do this:
  • Use a piece of cotton cloth, such as a clean handkerchief or clean white sock. Pour the water through the cloth several times until the water is clear to the eye.
  • Silk is an excellent filter. the water passes quickly through multiple layers.
  • Cut the bottom off of a water or coke bottle. Roll a clean sock up on itself and stuff it down to the neck of the bottle. Add an inch and a half of sand. If possible, add an inch and a half of wood charcoal (not charcoal briquettes like you grill with) from a fire (rinse all the ashes off first!). If not, add an inch and a half of grass and leaves. Add another layer of sand, then roll up a second sock and stuff it into the bottle. Pour your water through the filter until it is clear to the eye.
  • You'll have to gather the water first. One of the best natural sources is a stream (the higher you get, the purer the water). If the stream by chance looks muddy, take some sort of cloth(like shirt or sock or any part of your clothes) and collect the water, then wring it out in a container. The mud will stay in the cloth while the clean water goes into the container.
  • Make a container to hold the water from dew or rain by taking hot coals and putting them on a tree stump. You can make a 16oz cup from a stump in one hour. Once done, just scrape the coals out of the stump (make sure you do not use a yew or any locust trees because those are poisonous and could make you sick).
  • Boil water in a plastic container over a raging fire. the water dissipates the heat and prevents the plastic from melting. however it cannot come into direct contact with the fuel or coals because that will melt it.

Warnings

  • Do not use too much bleach or it will burn your throat and stomach! Bleach can be toxic at high levels. Be sure to leave the top off while letting water sit so that the bleach vapors can dissipate.
  • Brita or a simple PUR do not remove microorganisms from the water—they filter basic minerals in your tap water to make it taste better! PUR does make a filter that will remove giardia and cryptosporidium. Check the label to be sure what you're getting.

storing water

Follow these guidelines to make sure you and your family have enough clean water after a disaster.

  • Put aside at least three litres of clean drinking water per person, per day (at least 9 litres per person for the three days)
  • Make sure your hot water cylinder and header tank are braced with metal straps to prevent them from falling over.
  • You will also need water for:
  • washing and cooking food for every meal
  • washing dishes and utensils after every meal
  • washing yourself (one litre per day for each person)

Drinking water
To store enough drinking water for three days, prepare six large, plastic soft drink bottles of water per person, including children. Add some extra for pets.
Wash bottles thoroughly in hot water.

  • Fill each bottle with tap water until it overflows. Add five drops of household bleach, eg, Janola, per litre of water and put in storage. (Half a teaspoon (2.5ml) per 10 litres of water.) Do not drink for at least 30 minutes after disinfecting.
  • Make sure there are no air gaps and place the lids on tightly.
  • Label each bottle with dates showing when the bottles were filled and when they need to be refilled.
  • Check the bottles every 12 months (eg, at the beginning or end of daylight saving). If the water is not clear, throw it out and refill clean bottles with clean water and bleach.
  • Store bottles in two separate places, somewhere dark away from direct sunlight where there is not likely to be flooding.
  • Alternatively, fill plastic ice cream containers with water, cover, label and keep in the freezer. These can help keep food cool if the power is off and can also be used for drinking.
  • Keep a supply of ice cubes and fruit juices.

Cooking, dishes, washing yourself
You can use water for cooking, dishes, and washing yourself from these house supplies:

  • hot water cylinder and header tank
  • toilet cistern. This water is only safe to use if no chemical toilet cleanser is present.

Other Handy Tips:

  • Wash your hands well. If water is in very short supply keep some in a bowl with disinfectant added, but change frequently.
  • Check your stored water by holding it up to the light. If it has anything floating in it or is not clear, strain and boil for three minutes or add five drops of household bleach (eg, Janola) per litre of water and stand for 30 minutes before drinking. (1/2 teaspoon to 10 litres.)
  • Collect rain water by either placing a clean container outside to catch rain or by disconnecting the down pipe from the roof and filling a container. Boil water for three minutes before drinking or disinfect with household bleach (1/2 teaspoon to 10 litres). Reserve one clean utensil to use as a dipper.
  • DO NOT collect drinking water from the roof if it is contaminated with ash, smoke deposits or other debris.
  • DO NOT drink water from the town supply unless you have been advised that it is fit for drinking.
  • DO NOT assume domestic water filters are effective. They can become contaminated.
  • DO NOT drink water from a private well if it has been flooded.
  • DO Use spa and swimming pool water, if available, for keeping yourself clean and washing clothes.
  • DO NOT waste water on cleaning clothes.
  • Use a bucket or bowl for washing. Throw the used water over the land or put into a hole and covered with soil. DO NOT put it down the toilet or drains.
  • Switch off power to the hot water tank if the water supply fails.

Storing Water for Short-Term

Emergencies

Most people can live only a few days without water. In preparing to

store water for emergencies, keep at least a three-day supply of water

for each person in your household (see below). Stocking water

reserves and learning how to purify contaminated water should be

among your top priorities in preparing for an emergency.

Storing Emergency Water Supplies

Only certain containers are suitable for storing water for short-term emergencies. These

simple guidelines will help you choose both the right amount of water to store, and the

right type of container.

Store the Proper Amount

Store at least one gallon of water per person per day, on average. An individual person’s

need for water will vary depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet and climate.

A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts (8 cups) of water a day. Hot

environments can double that amount. Children, nursing women and ill persons will need

more. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing your activity

and staying cool. You will need additional water for food preparation and hygiene.

Storage Containers

Plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers are suitable for storing water

supplies. Never use a container that has held toxic (poisonous) substances. No matter

how well you clean these containers, tiny amounts of toxic substances may remain in the

container’s pores. Intact, durable plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles or those

you purchase water in, are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or

larger containers. Milk jugs and other containers that previously held food items are

almost impossible to adequately clean. Use these only when other containers are not

available. Long-term care facilities should avoid using plastic milk jugs. Harmful

bacteria can remain in the jugs and present problems for residents.

For ease of use, water containers for personal use should be no larger than one or two

gallons. (If contamination or a leak occurs in a stored container, you also lose less of

your supply by using smaller containers.) Two-liter (about ½- gallon) plastic soft drink

bottles also work well. Five-or ten-gallon storage drums (intended for water or food) will

work well for larger supplies. Thoroughly wash the container and lid immediately before

filling it with treated water (see below). Use clean, hot water and detergent. Rinse well

with hot water after washing.

Treat Water Before Storage

Before storing your water, treat it with a preservative, such as chlorine bleach, to prevent

the growth of microorganisms. Use liquid household chlorine bleach that contains

5.25% sodium hypochlorite and no soap. Do not use scented or “color safe” bleach or

bleaches with added cleaners. Treat water as follows:

Add 16 drops of bleach, or 1/4 teaspoon, per gallon of water and stir.

Add 8 drops of bleach, or 1/8 teaspoon, for each ½-gallon (2-liter) bottles.

Mix thoroughly and let stand for at least 30 minutes before using.

Storage

To store water, seal containers of treated water tightly, label them ‘Purified Drinking

Water’, date each container and store in a cool, dark place. Water can also be stored in

the freezer. Freezing will keep water at an acceptable quality for a longer period of time

and will help keep any food in the freezer from thawing in the event that the power goes

out.

Purchased bottled water can also be stored for an emergency. Check to see if there is a

date on the jug that specifies the expected shelf life of the water. Purchased water does

not have to be purified before storage--it is ready to use as supplied. If no shelf life is

given, expect jugs of purchased water to last at least three months. After that time,

replace bottled water just as you would replace water supplies that you prepare at home.

Replacing Emergency Water Supplies

The length of time that water can be stored depends on the original quality of the water,

the temperature at which it is stored, and how much light it is exposed to. Stored water

may eventually develop a disagreeable appearance, taste, or odor.

Plan to replace your emergency water supply every three months. Under emergency

conditions, water that tastes flat can be aerated by pouring the water back and forth

between the container and a clear bottle. To increase the shelf life of water stored in