Emergency Preparedness / 2021 / July
July 2021 Message
Dear Stake,
When planning food storage as part of your emergency preparedness efforts, don't forget about water! In the event that you lose access to clean drinking water, having a supply of water is vital, as well as knowing how to purify water.
The general rule is to plan for 1 gallon of water per person per day. Don't just think about water for drinking, but consider that you will also need water for sanitation and cooking.
Water Storage
One way to store water is simply to buy bottled drinking water and keep it sealed and stored in a cool dark place. Food-grade water storage containers can also be purchased and filled with tap water, but they should be well sanitized before using, and the water cycled out every six months or so. You may not have the physical space in your home to store a lot of water, but it's good to have at least enough for several days -- as much as you can. Include portable water bottles in your 72-hour kit or go-bag. It's also a good idea to have some water stored in the trunk of your car, although again, be sure to cycle it out periodically.
Water Purification
Because it may not be possible to store enough water to last for every emergency, it's useful to know how to purify water for drinking. There are three main purification methods: boiling, distilling, and chlorination. Here is some information on how to do each of these processes. All of these methods will kill bacteria and microbes, but only distillation will remove particulates such as salts. At the same time, chlorination can be done without a source of heat. Regardless, when making your emergency water plan, include a way to cook or build fire, a kettle or pot, and a container of household liquid bleach.
A fourth water purification method is filtration, and there are many water filtration products that can be purchased and used. Here is some information on these devices.
Other Water Needs
Once you have made a plan for water storage and purification for your family, consider whether you may need water for anything else in an emergency. If you have pets, livestock, or food plants, it could be good to invest in rainfall collection tanks.
There is more information on how to plan for water (and food) storage here:
Water is life. Humans can survive for a while without food, but not for very long without water. Just as we are invited spiritually to partake of the waters of life (see Doctrine & Covenants
10:64-67), we invite you to prepare for a time when you may need to have an emergency water supply.
Sincerely,
Holly and Chris Earls
Stake Emergency Preparedness Coordinators