Jul 10, 2008 4:27 pm US/Pacific
How To Be Sure Your Water Supply Is Safe
WaterIn a disaster, water supplies may be cut off or contaminated. Store enough water for everyone in your family to last for at least 3 days.
- Store one gallon of water per person, per day. Three gallons per person per day will give you enough to drink and for limited cooking and personal hygiene. Remember to plan for pets.
- Store all water in a cool dark place and do not store any water in a plastic container directly on concrete because the concrete will leech chemicals into the water.
- Change this water every six months.
Sources for Water
Tap water from a municipal water system can be safely stored without additional treatment. Store water in food grade plastic containers, such as clean 2-liter soft drink bottles. Heavy duty, reusable plastic water containers are also available at sporting goods stores
If you purchase water from the store keep it in its original container. They will begin to leak/fail after 6 months and will need to be replaced. A good tip is to change your water every time you have to change your clocks for daylight savings.
Some other options are:
1 and 5 gallon sea
lable containers from a camping or survival store or
20oz to1 liter designer water containers, which are usually marked with an expiration date, but are generally good for about 2 years or
5 Gallon water bottles from private water companies. Water companies claim their water and containers are good for up to five years if still factory sealed and correctly stored in a cool dark location.
In emergencies the water from your hot water heater can be consumed. Every hot water heater has a drain valve near the bottom.
Treating Water After A DisasterDisinfect: 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.
- Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.
- The only agent used to treat water should be household liquid bleach. Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment products sold in camping or surplus stores that do not contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, are not recommended and should not be used.
Boil:
Bring to a rolling boil and maintain for 3-5 minutes. After the water cools, pour it back and forth between two clean containers to add oxygen back; this will improve its taste.
For more water information visit:
www.72hours.orgEarthquakes Home Page
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