Securing Your Home Water Supply in Crisis Times

In times of abundance, you rarely think about the scarcity of essential resources, yet during a crisis, the availability of clean drinking water can quickly become your top concern. You're tasked with ensuring the health and well-being of your family, and securing a reliable home water supply is critical. Whether it's a natural disaster, a public health emergency, or a utility failure, having access to safe drinking water isn't a luxury; it's a necessity.

You'll find that unopened, commercially bottled water is your safest bet, but what do you do when that's not an option? This guide will walk you through the steps of calculating your family's water needs, choosing suitable storage solutions, and identifying emergency water sources. You'll also learn how to treat water to make it safe for drinking and sanitation.

The journey to ensuring your water security starts with understanding these key strategies, leaving you better prepared to face any water-related emergency with confidence.

Emergency Preparedness Kit Essentials

In building your emergency preparedness kit, ensure you include a reliable supply of clean drinking water, utilizing food-grade containers and unscented bleach for purification and storage.

Storing an emergency water supply is crucial, especially in situations of water shortages. Begin by selecting food-grade water storage containers, which are designed to safely hold water without leaching harmful chemicals. Alternatively, you can opt for commercially bottled water, which is a convenient and safe choice.

For water treatment, unscented liquid household chlorine bleach is essential. This will allow you to sanitize water storage containers effectively. First, clean the containers with dish soap and water. Then, pour the sanitizing solution—made by mixing one teaspoon of bleach with a quart of water—into the container, ensuring it touches all surfaces. After sanitizing, rinse the container with clean water.

Calculating Water Needs

To ensure your family's safety, calculate at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, covering both drinking and sanitation needs. This basic guideline ensures everyone has access to clean water and safe drinking water, minimizing the risk of using contaminated water. Aim for a minimum three-day supply; however, for extended security, a two-week supply is preferable. Remember, the amount of water may need adjustment for pregnant women, sick individuals, pets, or if you're in a hot climate.

To uphold the quality of water, use food-grade water storage containers. These should have a tightly closed top and be made of durable, unbreakable materials to keep your water safe to drink. Don't forget to observe the expiration dates on store-bought water or replace water every six months if you're filling containers yourself.

Maintaining your water supply involves cleaning and sanitizing your containers. Wash them with soap and use a solution of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach for sanitizing. After sanitizing, air-dry the containers before filling them with clean water. This routine ensures your stored water remains safe for consumption, safeguarding your family's health during crisis times.

Water Storage Solutions

Selecting the right water storage solutions is crucial for ensuring a safe, reliable supply during emergencies. Here's how to secure your water supply with practical and effective methods:

1. Aim for Capacity: Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, focusing on both drinking and sanitation needs. A 2-week supply is ideal. Remember, certain conditions like pregnancy, illness, having pets, or living in hot climates might increase your water requirements.
2. Choose the Right Container: Use food-grade containers with tightly closed tops. Opt for materials that are durable and unbreakable. Containers with a narrow neck are preferable for easy pouring, ensuring that you can use your water supply efficiently and safely.
3. Maintain Purity: Regularly replace the water every 6 months. Before refilling, sanitize your containers with a sanitizing bleach solution to prevent contamination. This step is vital for maintaining a clean, safe water source.
4. Be Prepared to Treat Water: If access to clean water sources becomes compromised, be ready to treat and disinfect water. Methods include boiling, filtration, or adding chlorine bleach, ensuring your water is safe for drinking.

Implementing these water storage solutions will ensure your water supply remains safe and accessible when you most need it.

Identifying Emergency Sources

Having covered how to store water effectively, let's now focus on identifying emergency sources to ensure you're never caught off guard without a backup plan.

First off, natural water sources like rivers or lakes can be a lifesaver. However, remember that safe water isn't guaranteed. Before using any source of water, including surface water runoff, treat it to eliminate pathogens. Collecting rainwater in clean containers or tarps can provide an alternative water source. This method, while efficient, requires you to have an empty container ready and knowledge of how to purify the collected water.

Your home offers hidden emergency water supplies as well. The water intake from hot water tanks or pipes can be utilized, ensuring you first shut off the main to avoid contaminated water entering. Additionally, water from swimming pools or hot tubs serves as a last-resort water source; not ideal for drinking but useful for sanitation needs.

Don't overlook community water sources like public fountains, which can be invaluable during widespread crises. Always have a camping supply of unscented liquid household chlorine on hand, as recommended by the Division of Foodborne, to purify any water every six months, ensuring it's safe for consumption.

Treating Water Safely

In an emergency, ensuring your water is safe to drink becomes a critical priority, and boiling water is a reliable method that kills pathogens effectively. However, when boiling isn't an option, other methods are vital to prevent diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) provide guidelines for treating water safely. Here's how you can secure your drinking water:

1. Use Unscented Liquid Household Chlorine Bleach: For every gallon of water, add 1/8 teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach containing 5% to 9% sodium hypochlorite. Stir and let it stand for 30 minutes.
2. Store Water in Clean, Food-Grade Containers: Prevent contamination by using containers designed for water storage. This ensures the water remains safe for consumption.
3. Regularly Clean and Sanitize Containers: Wash, sanitize, and air-dry your containers before refilling them. This step is crucial to prevent microbial growth.
4. Have Clear Instructions and Necessary Supplies: Keep instructions for boiling, disinfecting, and filtering water handy. Ensure you have the supplies needed, such as liquid bleach and clean containers, to treat water in crisis times.

Conclusion

In securing your home water supply during a crisis, remember you're ensuring your family's safety and well-being.

Always aim for at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, and don't forget to regularly check and rotate your supplies.

Use clean containers for storage if bottled water's unavailable.

In emergencies, knowing how to safely treat water becomes crucial.

By following these guidelines, you'll be prepared to maintain a safe, reliable water supply, no matter the circumstances.

Stay informed, stay prepared.