Emergency Water SuppliesPage Updated on July 28, 2007Dehydration is the biggest concern you have in an emergency situation. Dehydration often kills long before starvation. It is absolutely necessary to have a supply of water on hand before an emergency happens. Don't rely on your faucet to always have a fresh supply of water for you. You should have a minimum of 14 gallons of water for each person (1 gallon a day for drinking and 1 gallon a day for hygiene for a total of 7 days), and don't forget your pets. Of course, the more water you can store the better. Water needs to be rotated at least every 6 months to remain fresh. If you have a giant water storage tank in your back yard, you'll need to flush it every 6 months. I like using 5 gallon bottles instead. I always have an extra one that I use for my various water needs during non-emergency times. When it's empty, I refill it and put it behind all the others. Now the next one in front will be used for my various water needs. With this method, my water is rotated frequently and I'm always sure to have water on hand. When you store your water, make sure that you keep it in a cool dark place. Also ensure that you do not let your plastic containers touch concrete because it will degrade the containers and contaminate your water. During an emergency, you may need to purify water that you get from your tap or other sources. If your water looks dirty or appears to have sediment in it, first strain it through a coffee filter. Then you can purify your water by doing one of the following:
Supplies for your emergency kit
|
...by Feed