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Emergency Water Storage Guide
How to Store Emergency Water Supplies
You can store your water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or
enamel-lined metal containers. DO NOT EVER use a container that has ever held toxic
substances, because trace amounts may remain in the container's pores. Sturdy plastic
containers, such as 2 liter soft drink bottles, are good. You can also purchase food-grade
plastic buckets or drums from several online stores.
While I recommend storing Distilled Water (which can be purchased at a grocery
store), many people find this to be rough on their tongue. If you want to store regular
water (with metals and minerals in tact) there are methods to preserving that as well.
Before storing your non-distilled water, treat it with a preservative such as
chlorine bleach, to prevent the growth of any pathogens. Use a liquid bleach solution that
contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite and no soap. Some containers have the
warning, "Not For Personal Use." You can ignore these warnings if the label states
sodium hypochlorite is the only active ingredient and if you use only the small quantities
in these instructions. MAKE CERTAIN YOU DO NOT OVER-FILL THE AMOUNT.
CHLORINE IN MORE THAN THE PRESCRIBED AMOUNT IS HAZARDOUS.
Add 4 drops of bleach per quart of water (or two scant teaspoons per 10 gallons),
and stir. This translates to 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, though I recommend
only 10 per gallon. Many call this “chemical synergy”. Seal your water containers
tightly, label them and store them in a cool, dark place.
Hidden Water Sources in Your Home
If a disaster catches you without a stored supply of clean water, you can use water
in your hot-water tank, in your plumbing and in ice cubes. As a last resort, you can use
water in the reservoir tank of your toilet (not the bowl), but purify it first (see below).
To use the water in your pipes, let air into the plumbing by turning on the highest
faucet in your house and draining the water from the lowest one.
To use the water stored in your hot-water tank, be certain to turn the electricity or
gas off, and carefully open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start the water flowing by
turning off the water intake valve and turning on a hot-water faucet. Do not turn on the
gas or electricity when the tank is empty.
Do you know the location of your incoming water valve? You'll need to shut it off
to stop contaminated water from entering your home if you hear reports of broken water
or sewage lines.
It would help to have a certified plumber check out your water situation, and if
there are any water-storage solutions you had in mind, he will probably know the right
outlets to meet your solutions.
Emergency Outdoor Water Sources
If you need to seek water outside your home, you can use these sources. Always
purify the water before drinking it.
· Rainwater
· Streams, rivers and other moving bodies of water
· Lakes
· Natural springs
Avoid stagnant water or water with floating material, or anything with an odor or
dark color. Use saltwater only if you distill it first (see below).
Easy Ways to Purify Water
In addition to having a bad odor and taste, contaminated water can contain
pathogens that cause diseases such as cholera, dysentery, hepatitis and typhoid. You
should purify all water of uncertain purity before using it for drinking, food preparation
or personal hygiene.
There are many ways to purify water. None are 100% flawless, so use them at
your own risk. I’ll not be held accountable for anything that is wrong or that gets
screwed up.
Often, the best solution is a combination of the best methods. Before purifying,
let any suspended particles settle to the bottom, or strain them through layers of paper
towel or clean cloth. Extra coffee filters work well also.
Three easy purification methods are outlined below. These measures will kill
microbes and pathogens but will not remove other contaminants such as heavy metals,
salts, most other chemicals as well as radioactive particulates.
1. Boiling is the safest method of purifying water. Bring water to a constant boil for
10 minutes or more, keeping in mind that water will evaporate. You can find
ways to collect the condensation and store it in a clean container (more on
distillation below). Let the water cool before drinking.
2. Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it pouring it back and
forth between two containers a few times. This will also improve the taste of
long-term stored water.
3. Chlorination uses liquid chlorine bleach to kill microorganisms and pathogens.
Add two drops of bleach per quart (4 quarts in a gallon) of water (four drops if the
water is cloudy), stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not taste and
smell of chlorine at that point, add another one or two drops and let stand another
15 to 20 minutes.
If you do not have a dropper, use a spoon and a square-ended strip of paper or thin
cloth about l/4 inch by 2 inches. Put the strip in the spoon with an end hanging down
about 1/2 inch below the scoop of the spoon. Place bleach in the spoon and carefully tip
it. Drops the size of those from a medicine dropper will drip off the end of the strip.
Purification tablets release chlorine or iodine. They are inexpensive and available at
most sporting goods stores and some drugstores. Many online survival and readiness
stores offer them as well. Follow the package directions exactly. Usually one tablet is
enough for one quart of water. However, it depends on the type of tablet. As always,
double dose for any cloudy water.
More Rigorous Water Purification Methods
While the three methods described above will remove microbes and pathogens
from water, the following purification method will remove other contaminants.
Distillation will remove microbes, heavy metals, salts, and most other chemicals.
Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting the vapor that condenses
back to water. The water vapor will not include salt and other impurities, which will
remain in the original container.
To distill, fill a tall metal pot halfway with water. Tie a cup to the handle on the
pot's lid so that the cup will hang open-side-up when the lid is upside-down (make sure
the cup is not dangling into the water) and boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that
drips from the lid into the cup is distilled.
Any other way you can devise, where you collect water vapor and allow it to drip
into a new container will work. Make sure you use a clean container to accept the
distilled water.
If activity is reduced, healthy people can survive on half their usual food intake
for an extended period and without any food for many days.
If your water supply is limited, try to avoid foods that are high in fat and protein,
and don't stock foods high in sodium content, as they will increase thirst. Electrolytes,
however, are important. They help maintain hydration.