Water

In a disaster, water supplies may be cut off or contaminated. Store enough water for everyone in your family to last for at least 3 days.

Tips for Storing Water

Store one gallon of water, per person, per day. This amount will be adequate for general drinking purposes. Three gallons per person per day will give you enough to cook and for limited personal hygiene. Do not forget to plan for your pets.

If you store tap water:

  • Store water in food-grade plastic containers, such as clean 2-liter soft drink bottles. Heavy-duty, reusable plastic water containers are also available at sporting goods stores.
  • Replace water at least once every six months.

If you buy commercially bottled “spring” or “drinking” water:

  • Keep water in its original container, and don’t re-store a bottle once it’s been opened.
  • Label bottles with their replacement date, and store in a cool, dark place.
  • Replace water at least once each year.

Treating Water After the Disaster

If you run out of stored drinking water, strain and treat water from your water heater or the toilet reservoir tank (except if you use toilet tank cleaners.) You cannot drink swimming pool or spa water, but you can use it for flushing toilets or washing.

Treatment Process

  1. Begin by straining any large particles of dirt by pouring the water through a couple of layers of paper towels or clean cloth.
  2. Next, purify the water one of two ways:
    • Boil - Bring to a rolling boil and maintain for 3 to 5 minutes. To improve the taste, pour it back and forth between two clean containers to add oxygen back.
    • Disinfect - If the water is clear, add 8 drops of bleach per gallon. If it is cloudy, add 16 drops. Shake or stir, then let stand for 30 minutes. A slight chlorine taste/smell is normal.