How to store water for Emergency Preparedness (2024)

Humans can only last three days without water—making it your most essential resource in any emergency.

Most of us take water for granted, knowing it is abundantly available from the nearest faucet. But what would happen if one morning, you woke to a massive storm, attack, or other disaster and there was no water to drink? No way to have a shower or flush the toilet?

Humans can only survive three days without water. It is the most essential resource for survival in any emergency. Knowing how much water you need and how to store it safely is critical for making it through unexpected events. Planning ahead ensures your family’s well-being, strengthens your resilience, and provides peace of mind.

Water should be your top priority when planning for a natural disaster or other unexpected scenarios. Here is a breakdown of what you need to know to have enough of this precious resource when you need it most.

What You Should Know Before Planning

Some things to keep in mind when planning for water in an emergency are:

• You can survive for three days without water. If possible, store two weeks’ worth.
• Water is heavy, weighing about 8 pounds per gallon, so consider where you will store your water and that it has adequate support.
• When filling larger containers, try to fill them where they will be stored, as they may be too heavy to move yourself. Store in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct sunlight.
• Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks and drinks with alcohol as they dehydrate the body, increasing your need for water.
• More water is required for anyone pregnant, has an illness, or if you live in a hot climate. Don’t forget your pets.

Water Storage

The easiest and least expensive option is storing cases of store-bought bottled water at home, said Creek Stewart an experienced survival expert, instructor, and author in an previous interview with The Epoch Times. Cases can be stacked in closets and under beds. Find places where they will be out of the way but easy to access.

Stewart says the average person needs one gallon of water daily for drinking and hygiene, and water stores can add up quickly, especially for families.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require bottled water to have expiration dates. Some experts recommend using commercially bottled water within two years, while others say six months.

Types of Water Storage

Depending on your budget and available space, many types of containers can store water for emergencies.

Buried Cisterns: You can store large volumes of water (thousands of gallons) outside, but they must be buried in the ground to prevent freezing in northern regions. These require professional installation and additional pumps and plumbing for use.

Large Containers: Larger containers ranging from 200 to 500 gallons are available for water storage, and many have optional spigots to distribute water to smaller containers. Several of these types are stored outside and must be placed carefully because of their weight when full. Remember, one gallon of water weighs more than eight pounds, so it adds up quickly.

Used Containers: Though less expensive, there are some things to consider. Ensure used containers are food grade and have previously stored only food items. These containers must be cleaned and sanitized before being filled with drinking water. Do not use containers that have stored milk, juice, or soda, as there is a risk of sugar residue that can promote bacterial growth. Stewart suggests resisting the temptation to use recycled containers to save a few dollars and recommends only using containers previously used to store water.

Canning: Water can be canned the same way as food, Nellie Oehler, a food safety specialist and coordinator with Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service, told The Epoch Times in an email. If you’re canning food, you can add a jar or two of water to the canner at the same time.

You can also put a clean washcloth in the water before canning, which means you will have a sterile cloth in case you need it to treat wounds, she added.

Deep Freeze: Fill any spaces in your deep freeze with bottled water, which will help the freezer stay colder, save on electricity, and provide a source of drinking water in an emergency.

Mobile Containers: Regardless of the containers you choose, always have water in some smaller containers to carry if you have to evacuate or go long distances on foot.

How to Prepare Storage Containers

Follow these step-by-step instructions to clean your water storage containers before filling them with drinking water.

1. Wash your container with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly with hot water.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid chlorine bleach with 1 quart (32 ounces) of water.
3. Pour bleach solution into the clean container, close it tightly, and shake well to coat all inner surfaces.
4. Let the container sit with the solution for at least 30 seconds, then empty it.
5. Allow the container to air dry or rinse it with clean, purified water.

Water Purification

Once you have used your stored water, you will have to find a water source and have a way to clean it to ensure it’s safe to drink.

In his book “Disaster Survival 101,” Stewart explains that while the terms “purification” and “filtration” are often used interchangeably regarding water, they refer to different processes. Purification is a more thorough process than filtration, which is simply running water through some type of barrier to remove impurities, he said. In an emergency situation, this could range from a coffee filter to a t-shirt. However, these methods do not remove toxic chemicals and microorganisms.

Purification can be achieved via several methods, such as boiling, disinfecting, or using bleach or iodine.

Gravity-Fed Water Filter

Stewart recommends having a gravity-fed water filter, which doesn’t require power or water pressure. Two of his favorite tabletop varieties are the Big Berkey and the ProOne. Although they both have proprietary filters, he says they filter out an impressive list of contaminants.

In an emergency, tabletop gravity-fed filters like the ones above are ideal for filtering water you have stored in containers. They can even be used to filter water from ponds, rivers, or streams near your home, as well as rainwater, to make it safe for drinking.

Boiling

Boiling is one of the safest ways to purify water. Bring water to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute. If you live at elevations of more than 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes before drinking.

Using Bleach

You can use household bleach to purify water. Household bleach comes in different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite, from 5 percent to 8.25 percent, so check before using it to ensure the below ratios are correct. To add bleach to water, you can use a medicine dropper. Be sure not to use bleach with additives like scents when purifying water.

• 5–6 percent sodium hypochlorite bleach: Add two drops of bleach for every quart or liter of water. (1 liter = 1.06 quarts). Stewart says to remember the heuristic “you have to be 21 to drink,” or add two drops of bleach per 1 liter of water.
• 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite bleach: Eight drops or 1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water (1 gallon = 4 quarts=3.78541 liters).

Stir the mixture thoroughly and let it stand for at least 30 minutes before using it. Store the purified water in clean containers with tight-fitting lids. Label containers “drinking water” and add the date it was stored.

Use the following ratios from the Oregon State University Extension Service emergency water handout for larger containers.

Container Size                 Bleach 5 gallons                            3/4 teaspoon 7 gallons                            1 teaspoon 15 gallons                          2 teaspoons 55 gallons                          2 tablespoons

Sourcing Fresh Water

Depending on your location, nearby natural sources like streams or rivers can be used in an emergency. Additionally, there are several ways to access water in your home or apartment that can supplement your supply.

You can find springs in your area using the website findaspring.org—a worldwide database of cold (and hot) springs. If you have one nearby, consider visiting and stocking up in advance. Remember, any natural water source can contain contaminants, so ensure you filter/purify water from these sources so it’s safe to drink.

Indoor Water Sources

In an emergency, there are several sources of water inside your home.

• If your home or apartment has a water heater, it could provide 30–80 gallons of water in an emergency. Turn off the power source, and be careful as water may be hot. Sediment may initially escape from the bottom of the tank, so wait until the water runs clear before collecting it for drinking. Water with sediment should be filtered before being purified.
• Your home’s pipes contain water. Turn off the house water supply so contaminated water doesn’t get in. Water drains to the lowest point, so use the last of your water from the lowest faucet in your house. Plug drains in sinks and bathtubs to keep from losing water. The water may not flow until you open the highest tap in the house, likely an upstairs shower.
• Juice and water from canned foods can be used for drinking or in cooking for extra hydration.
• Bottled water in fridges and freezers, as well as water in ice cube trays
• Water in the toilet tank—not the bowl—can be purified for drinking, although not if a chemical has been used (like pucks or treatments that turn the water blue). Tank water should be used only when all other sources have been exhausted.
• Swimming pool and spa water cannot be used for drinking but can be used for cleaning and washing.
• Never drink water from a waterbed, as it is treated with chemicals that prevent algae growth.

Outdoor Water Sources:

Water from the following sources can be used in emergencies. If you rely on outdoor water sources, they must be purified before use for drinking, cooking, or hygiene.

• Lakes
• Ponds
• Rivers
• Springs
• Unknown wells
• Rainwater

OSU extension services recommend choosing quickly moving water sources like springs and rivers first as they have fewer pathogens than ponds, lakes, and barrels of collected rainwater.

When unsure if water is safe to drink, purify it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and avoid an illness that will make your situation worse.

Final Thoughts

Water is our most critical resource, and it behooves us to plan ahead and have a minimum supply tucked away in case we need it. If your budget or space is limited, have at least a three-day supply and, if you can, have two weeks’ worth or more. Fill unused spaces in freezers, cupboards, and under beds to maximize your resilience—and buy a good quality filter.

Every thought and action you invest in preparing for the unexpected will pay off when disaster strikes. Whether it’s wildfires in California, an earthquake in Oregon, flooding in Louisiana, or hurricanes in Florida, these disasters teach us that the future is uncertain—and we need to be prepared.

Source: https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/water-prep-guide-heres-how-to-store-filter-and-source-fresh-water-5747322