Embedded Files
A good source of clean water is essential to survival. While it is possible to go weeks without food, survival is a risk after three days without water. Plan on at least 1/2 gallon a day per person just to survive! One gallon per day is considered minimum for drinking, basic food preparation and basic hygiene. Two gallons per day per person is the minimum to add basic bathing, laundry and cleaning to your plan. FEMA recommends having at least a 2 week emergency water supply which means you'll need at least 28 gallons per person to cover all of the basic needs.
Most people do not have a well or live near a natural body of water so we are dependent on the water supplied by a water company that comes out of our pipes on demand. The pumps that deliver that water to us are run by electricity therefore an extended city-wide power outage could very well affect your water supply.
Here are our questions for discussion:
How much water do you have available in an emergency?
How much water will you need for personal hygiene, hand washing, and laundry?
Do you have enough to clean and cook the foods you have stored?
How much to prepare freeze dried and dehydrated foods.
How much to wash pots, pans and utensils.
How about water for gardening?
Do you know how to obtain, store and purify water?
Water: Sources – Treatment – Storage
Sources
Natural – Ponds, lakes, streams, springs, rivers and ocean (desalinated or distilled)
Wells
Have non-electric collection options available – hand pumps, buckets, solar or the old Texas standby – the windmill pump.
Bottled – 6 month shelf life in typical clear, plastic packaging.
Around the house – pool, waterbed, spa, hot water heater, water pipes, toilet bowl or tank. Purify before drinking.
From the tap – you have from 6 hours to ?? of water flow after the power fails.
Rain water – capture from the downspouts of your rain gutters, in buckets and Redneck Engineered collection devices.
Remember to collect water as close as possible to your shelter. Each gallon of water weights about 8 and 1/3 lbs. Tote about five gallons up a decent hill and you will become a strong advocate for water conservation!
Also, do NOT throw out used or "gray" water. Instead catch it and use it for flushing toilets or any other needs that doesn't require clean, filtered water. Be sure to label it clearly.
Where To Find Water in an Emergency
Treatment
Filtering and purification – treating to kill viruses, bacteria, protozoa as well as heavy metals such a mercury and silver.
Portable hand operated filters Katadyn, Mini Sawyer
Drip Filters such as the Berkey Light Berkey Filters & 2nd Berkey Source
Lifestraw – Handy when all you have available is a mud puddle or nasty lake (they also have a family size filter)
Pen like devices – SteriPen uses UV light to kill bacteria and virus. Water may need to be filtered to remove particulate matter.
Only have salt water? Use a homemade solar still for clean water and the sun to remove the salt and create clean water
Additives – liquid chlorine bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite as only ingredient). CDC has a page here and an overview flyer here
8 drops per gallon of clean water (1/8 teaspoon), double for cloudy water. 5 gallons ½ teaspoon for clean water, double for cloudy water. Bleach deteriorates over time - shelf life 6-12 months.
A better additive than bleach is pool shock. No shelf life and a 1 pound bag, which costs about $8.00, will purify over 10,000 gallons of water! HOW TO USE POOL SHOCK - 1st source HOW TO USE POOL SHOCK - 2nd source
Iodine (2%) 12 drops per gallon clean water, double for cloudy.
Purification tablets – follow instructions on package. Some brands may not kill Giardia. Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets or Aquamira Water Treatment Drops; also available on Amazon, Ebay and literally dozens of other sites.
Here's a GREAT ARTICLE comparing 20 different portable water filters:
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Backpacking-Water-Filter-Reviews
BACKPACKING WATER FILTER VS. WATER PURIFIER: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Storage Containers
Specially packaged purified water – foil pouches with a five year shelf life – perfect for your B.O.B.
Medium and large containers (rain barrels) – typically made of specially formulated plastic Water Brick Water Barrel
Aquapod bathtub liner – designed to capture and store up to 65 gal. of fresh water before the tap runs dry (some hold up to 100 gal. if your tub is extra large). Aquapod Kit
Concrete tanks, cisterns and other types of water bladders. Water Storage Containers
Small collapsible water bladders – Smart Bottle 5 gallon or Coleman offers several options
Any food grade plastic container is suitable for storing treated water.
Additional Water Storage Tips
Store water in a cool, dark, dry location.
Store away from waste products, latrine and petroleum based products.
Periodically check containers (6 – 12 months). Add additional additives if necessary.
Rotate containers with new water if possible.
Do not use metal containers for long term storage.
Use water filters on all water that has been stored for long periods of time.
Water Storage Article: How To Store Water
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse