How to Store Water

How to Store Water for Drinking or Cooking?

Storing water for an emergency is simple, especially when the water is not contaminated. Here are some guidelines for storing water.

How much water should I store?

Standard emergency guidelines suggest that you store one gallon of water per day for each person in your household for a three-day to two-week period. Generally, a normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts (½ gallon) of water each day.
Keep in mind that you must consider your family members’ needs and habits. You will have to decide the actual amount of water you store for an emergency. Your storage space and individual situation may be such that you should store less or more than the guidelines recommend. Remember, you might adjust your normal habits to get through the emergency period.

Water Storage Guidelines

1 gallon per person per day
3-day supply x 1 person = 3 gallons
14 days (2-week supply) x 1 person = 14 gallons
(number of days of water needed) x (number of persons in your home) = gallons to store

How can I store drinking water?

Select the option that best suits your family.

Method A
If your water comes from a public water supplier or is disinfected, you can store it in clean soda bottles or milk jugs with screw-on tops. Follow the directions below.

Thoroughly wash plastic soda bottles or milk jugs with warm, soapy water. Use containers with screw-on tops. Sanitize the container by putting one teaspoon of household liquid bleach (5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) in one gallon of water. Pour this solution in the container and leave it there for two minutes. Pour the sanitizing solution from the container. Rinse the container with potable (suitable for drinking) water.
Fill bottles or jugs directly from the faucet. Cap tightly and label each container with the words “Drinking Water” and the date stored.
Store sealed containers in a dark, dry, and cool place.
If after six months you have not used the stored water, empty it from the containers and repeat steps 1 through 3 above.
Method B
If your current water source is contaminated or you do not wish to prepare your own water for storage, purchase bottled water from a store. Bottled water is available in local discount stores or grocery stores. Many local stores have bottled water in one-gallon containers. This water costs about as much as a large container of carbonated beverage or less.

For Contaminated Water Only:
Water from a contaminated source must be disinfected or purified before use. Two methods of purifying water are discussed below. If the contaminated water contains visible particles, let the particles settle to the bottom first, then strain the water through clean cloths or layers of paper towels before disinfecting. The water cannot be disinfected unless particles are removed by filtration first.

Boiling Method
Boiling is a good way to purify water. Bring the water to a rolling boil for 1 to 3 minutes. After the water has cooled, fill clean containers as outlined in Method A. (Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back in it before drinking. To restore the oxygen, pour the water back and forth between two clean containers several times.)

Liquid Bleach Method
Regular household liquid bleach contains a compound (5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) that will disinfect water. Do not use bleaches that are scented, colorsafe, or have added cleaners.

Use regular liquid bleach containing 5.25 percent hypochlorite. Add 16 drops (about ¼ teaspoon) per gallon of water.

The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes before use. The water should have a slight bleach odor. If it does not, repeat the dosage and let the water stand for an additional 15 minutes before use. Fill clean containers and store as described in Method A.

The guidelines listed in this publication are the simplest options available in most communities.

The following references were used to prepare this publication:

Food and Water in an Emergency (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - FAQ
Clorox Disaster Preparedness and Purifying Water
Prepared by Cathy Faulcon Bowen, assistant professor and extension specialist, consumer issues programs, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, and William Sharpe, professor of forest hydrology, School of Forest Resources and the Environmental Resources Research Institute

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