Water security is the most prominent issue when faced with runoff contamination, chemical spills, droughts, floods and other disasters. After all, it’s a critical resource essential for survival and one that sorely underestimated by most people, even preppers.
While you can usually foresee inclement weather, other instances occur unexpectedly. It’s in these moments, in particular, when it is crucial to have a plan to ensure you have enough clean water because even one contaminated drop can ruin your day. Here are eight tips to protect water resources during emergencies.
1. Avoid Contaminated Water Sources
Water supplies could become infected with bacteria, viruses and other hazardous pathogens during an emergency. Common germs could include E. coli, legionella, norovirus, salmonella, and giardia. Agricultural runoff, manufacturing pollutants and sediment might also infiltrate water with lead, arsenic and nitrate. And that’s to say nothing of bird poop, insects, and debris.
Water security is nothing to be taken lightly. For instance, Hurricane Harvey’s landfall in the Texas Gulf Coast in 2017 may have contaminated up to 260,000 wells. As a result, coliform was 1.5 times higher than regulations allowed, with E. coli up to 2.8 times higher in some drinking water wells. Clearly, even those who had well water — those who thought they were safe — weren’t.
Coliform could cause abdominal aches, nausea and vomiting when consumed. E. coli also has similar health effects with bloody diarrhea and fever. And there are much, much worse ailments. Always avoid exposure to contaminated water, as drinking or touching it could cause you to become sick, even deathly ill!
2. Stock up on Water Supplies
Stocking up on water in a disaster-prone area — such as somewhere with active hurricane seasons or droughts — is always wise, but everyone can fall victim to a contaminated water or, worse, no water at all.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, you should store three days’ worth of water supplies — at least 1 gallon of water per person daily.
[Editor’s note: I suggest one gallon is the bare minimum. Shoot for 5 gallons per person per day for at least two weeks. Who knows for what reasons you may need more water, like more people at your house, or for how long.]
You can stow water by filling clean containers. However, purchasing commercial water jugs is safer. Just be sure to keep the bottles sealed shut until you need them.
[Editor’s note: you might also want to add a drop or two of bleach just to ensure the water doesn’t go foul as time goes on, but so long as the water is good going in and the container you use is clean, then you should be fine. But I’ve seen things happen, so it better to be safe than sorry.]
3. Install a Filter
Installing a water filter in your kitchen sink will help purify tap water. Depending on the type of filter you purchase, you can get rid of most contaminants and sediments before drinking.
For example, some reverse osmosis (RO) systems can eliminate 99% of polluting substances, like arsenic, lead, chlorine, asbestos and vinyl chloride. RO systems can also make salt water potable.
Manual filtration methods include sifting water through a cloth or coffee filter. A straw or squeeze filter may also be appropriate in some situations. Or get a quality gravity water filter, such as the Berkey system that most preppers prefer.
4. Use Disinfectant Tablets
Disinfectant tablets can purify tainted water in an emergency. Often, people bring these tablets on camping trips and hikes for survival purposes.
Some tablets are more purifying than others and usually contain chlorine, chlorine dioxide and iodine — a combination known for killing various microorganisms.
Always read the instructions before using disinfectant tablets. You may need to use more than one to kill infections, shake the water to dissolve it or leave it uncovered for some time before drinking.
[Editor’s note: I’m not a huge fan of using chemicals for long-term water purification purposes. Either boil the water and/or use a quality filter.]
5. Boil Water
Boil water notices are standard during emergencies because many bacteria and waterborne diseases cannot withstand higher temperatures.
Water boils at 212 F, which renders most pathogens inactive. However, this process begins at 131 F for some bacteria, particularly in water from higher elevations.
Eliminate cryptosporidium parasites by heating water to 162 F for one minute. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will also help kill salmonella and E. coli.
[Editor’s note: boiling water doesn’t fix every problem, but it’s better than doing nothing. Again, a quality water filter in combination with boiling or, if you must, chemical treatment is best. Remember that waterborne diseases are no fun at best and deadly at worst. They are nothing to mess around with!]
6. Harvest Rainwater
A basic rainwater harvesting system would include a basin for roof and downspout runoff. However, this water isn’t safe for human use due to poor storage and filtration.
A suitable rainwater harvesting container includes mechanisms to stop bacteria growth and contamination. These tanks are integrated into a control system pump to purify and direct filtered water for washing, flushing and personal hygiene.
7. Look for Alternative Sources
The water heater tank from your drinking water system is one place you can look for an alternative water supply. Melting ice cubes and drinking liquid from canned produce are other sources to stay hydrated.
You’ll also need water for bathing and flushing toilets. Use your harvested rainwater or — if you have one — swimming pool water to bathe and clean. Just avoid drinking chlorinated and unfiltered pool water to prevent illness.
[Editor’s note: I’m not sure I would want to use my pool water for bathing, and I certainly wouldn’t want to drink it, but when you’re desperate, you’re desperate. The moral of the story is…don’t be desperate.]
8. Conserve Water
Learning to conserve water is the best way to ensure water security in dire situations. Start taking shorter showers and opt for low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets.
Small changes like turning off the water while brushing your teeth or washing produce in a bowl instead of under running water are also more effective.
Small habits make a significant difference in long-term water safety and reserve.
Secure Your Water Supply During Emergencies
Water security should be your primary concern during emergencies. There are many ways to prepare, store, purify and save water for drinking and personal use. Stay safe and prevent disease by securing a potable water supply for when the unexpected happens.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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