Tips On Storing Water

This week for our Family Preparedness Program, we're focusing on putting cash into your emergency reserve (at least $20 is the recommended amount), and storing 1 gallon of water per person in your family. 

We'll be focusing on these same two items the first week every month; everyone needs to have an idea about how they be storing water in their home, so that each month's water storage requirements are a quick task. In this post you'll find some tips about safe and inexpensive water storage.

How Much Water do I Need?

You should have at least a three-day supply of water, and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. 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 My Water?

The first consideration is, what kind of water should you store: tap water or commercially available bottled water? Bottled spring, drinking, or distilled water is great for emergency storage, but it can be expensive. I suggest you have some commercially bottled water in your cache. However, the bulk of your stored water will probably be tap water.

It is recommended you purchase food-grade water storage containers to use for water storage. Before filling with water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap

You may also store water in two-liter plastic soft drink bottles (a 2-liter soft drink container holds about two quarts of water, or about 1/2 gallon of water) – not 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. Cardboard containers also leak easily and are not designed for long-term storage of liquids. Also, do not use glass containers, because they can break and are heavy.

If storing water in plastic soda bottles, follow these steps: thoroughly clean the bottles with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap.Sanitize the bottles by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water. Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it touches all surfaces. After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing solution with clean water.

Store the water in a place where it can't freeze. Frozen water will expand and break the container. The ideal place to store water is away from direct sunlight, in a place where the temperature is moderate, and away from chemicals (like gasoline, pesticides, etc). 

Filling Water Containers

Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water. If the tap water has been commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine, you do not need to add anything else to the water to keep it clean. If the water you are using comes from a well or water source that is not treated with chlorine, add non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to the water. To insure safe drinking water you should add about ten drops of liquid chlorine bleach (Clorox) per gallon of stored water. This will kill most microorganisms in the water. Then fill the water completely to the top of the bottle, to force out all air. When you use this water, a slight chlorine smell is acceptable. 

Tightly close the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap by touching the inside of it with your finger. Place a date on the outside of the container so that you know when you filled it. Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled water; pour it out, clean the containers, and refill them with fresh water.

Important things to consider when an emergency occurs: 

If you have to use the water (an emergency happens), use the commercially bottled water first for drinking. Use the tap water for cooking and washing. If you run out of the bottled water and are concerned about the stored tap water, boil the water (assuming you have cooking heat available via gas, wood, etc).

You may have several other sources of water available to use. Water from a hot tub, water bed, or pond can be used for commode flushing (assuming the plumbing still works). Water from the commode tank (not the bowl) and your hot water heater can be used for washing or possibly drinking. And if you suspect a water shortage (as an example, before an on-coming freeze) you should fill your bath tubs and empty containers with water while it is available.

Sources: FEMA, B&A Products