| If
an earthquake, hurricane, winter storm or other disaster strikes
your community, you might not have access to food, water and
electricity for days, or even weeks. By taking some time now
to store emergency food and water supplies, you can provide
for your entire family.
Having
an ample supply of clean water is a top priority in an emergency.
A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water
each day. Hot environments can double that amount. Children, nursing
mothers and ill people will need even more. You will also need water
for food preparation and hygiene. Store a total of at least one
gallon per person, per day. You should store at least a two-week
supply of water for each member of your family.
If
supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need
today, and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount
of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.
Water
Supplies
How to Store Water
Store your water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass
or enamel-lined metal containers. Never use a container that has
held toxic substances. Plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles,
are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums.
Seal
water containers tightly, label them and store in a cool, dark place.
Rotate water every six months.
Emergency
Outdoor Water Sources
If you need to find water outside your home, you can use these
sources. Be sure to treat the water according to the instructions
below, in the section, "Three Ways to Treat Water"
Rainwater
Streams, rivers and other moving bodies of water
Ponds and lakes
Natural springs
Avoid water with floating material, an odor or dark color. Use saltwater
only if you distill it first. You should not drink flood water.
Hidden
Water Sources in Your Home
If a disaster catches you without a stored supply of clean water,
you can use the water in your hot-water tank, pipes and ice cubes.
As a last resort, you can use water in the reservoir tank of your
toilet (not the bowl).
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.
To
use the water in your pipes, let air into the plumbing by turning
on the faucet in your house at the highest level. A small amount
of water will trickle out. Then obtain water from the lowest faucet
in the house.
To
use the water in your hot-water tank, be sure the electricity or
gas is off, and 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.
Three
Ways to Treat Water
In addition to having a bad odor and taste, contaminated water can
contain microorganisms that cause diseases such as dysentery, typhoid
and hepatitis. You should treat all water of uncertain purity before
using it for drinking, food preparation or hygiene.
There
are many ways to treat water. None is perfect. Often the best solution
is a combination of methods.
Two
easy treatment methods are outlined below. These measures will kill
most microbes but will not remove other contaminants such as heavy
metals, salts and most other chemicals. Before treating, let any
suspended particles settle to the bottom, or strain them through
layers of paper towel or clean cloth.
Boiling:
Boiling is the safest method of treating water. Bring water to a
rolling boil for 3-5 minutes, keeping in mind that some water will
evaporate. Let the water cool before drinking.
Boiled
water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it by pouring
the water back and forth between two clean containers. This will
also improve the taste of stored water.
Disinfection:
You can use household liquid bleach to kill microorganisms. Use
only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent
sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, colorsafe bleaches
or bleaches with added cleaners.
Add
16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30
minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat
the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.
The
only agent used to treat water should be household liquid bleach.
Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment products sold
in camping or surplus stores that do not contain 5.25 percent sodium
hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, are not recommended
and should not be used.
While
the two methods described above will kill most microbes in water,
distillation will remove microbes that resist these methods, and
heavy metals, salts and most other chemicals.
Distillation:
Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting the vapor
that condenses back to water. The condensed vapor will not include
salt and other impurities. To distill, fill a pot halfway with water.
Tie a cup to the handle on the pot's lid so that the cup will hang
right-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.
Information obtained from The
American Red Cross
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