Water Guidelines and Water Storage

Hi Friends,

October will soon be here and I thought it might be helpful to review guidelines for storing water. For my family, I try to have a case of bottled water in each car, and one or two in the garage too. I have heard the reports of concern about plastic bottles, but we rotate this water pretty frequently, so I am more concerned about having water to drink when we need it. This gives me the water I need for 72 hours that is portable.

I am partial to "spring water" for the taste, so whenever it is on sale, I purchase the gallon or 2 1/2 gallon containers to store at the house. I also have two 55 gallon water barrels, but I must admit, I haven't changed the water for a few years...I am going to do that this month. We need a minimum of 14 gallons per person for storage and this covers our family of three for drinking water and some for other uses.

It is important to know how to store and purify your water to have for an emergency. Water is always the number one need during emergencies. I hope this post will be helpful as you prepare to have sufficient water for any emergency.

How Much Water Should You Store?

- You should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. (Aim to store enough water for two weeks.) A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.
- Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:
*Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
*Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
*Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
*A medical emergency might require additional water.

How should I store water?

- Buy commercially bottled water. Keep in its original container and use by the expiration date, or
- Use food-grade water storage containers, or two liter plastic soft drink bottles. Do not use plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk or fruit juice in them. Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be adequately removed from these containers and provide an environment for bacterial growth when water is stored in them.
*Thoroughly clean bottles with soap and water and rinse completely. Sanitize by adding a solution of 1 tsp. non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to one quart water. Swish the solution in the bottle, then rinse bottle out with clean water.
*Fill bottles with tap water. If the tap water is not chlorinated (Mission Viejo water is chlorinated), use 1/8 tsp. non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach per quart (or liter) of water.
*Date bottles, and replace the water every six months.

Other sources of water in the home:

- Storage type water heaters (make sure they are secured to wall) hold 30-60 gal.
- Toilet tanks (not bowl) hold 1.6 gallons or more

Emergency disinfection

- If you suspect that your emergency water supply is contaminated, you can easily and safely eliminate pathogens by:
*First, filter cloudy water through a clean towel, coffee filter, pillow case, etc. to remove any obvious materials.
*Boiling – bring to rolling boil for 5 minutes. Let cool, store in clean container.
*Chemical Purification (bleach) –10 drops per quart (about 1/8 tsp). Double the amount of bleach if the water is cloudy. Mix thoroughly and allow to stand for 30 minutes before using. A slight chlorine odor should be detectable in the water. If it is not, repeat the dosage and let it stand another 15 minutes before using.
*Water purification tablets – available at sporting goods stores.

(information from local water districts, as given through the South OC Community Preparedness Academy)