Generally, a person can survive without water for about three days. It is terrifying to know that there will come a time when we might not get the water that we need. But for utmost security, we must be equipped with the knowledge on how to store water for emergency, most especially when disaster strikes.
Why Store Water for Emergencies
Water is an essential commodity in your body. The lack of enough fluids in our body can make you dehydrated, which will eventually cause death. Many factors can happen that may result from losing your access to a regular water supply. That is why it’s so important to keep some water stored in your home.
We are all fully aware that there are areas that have been experiencing water shortage brought about by climate change. Water conservation is necessary, especially that it calls for chances of survival in times of unfortunate situations. Household water supplies and drinking water could be affected when disaster strikes, so having an amount of stored water is vital. The more family members you have, the more water storage you must have. You need them for drinking and cooking and washing as well. Get more tips on emergency food.
How to Safely Store Water for Emergency
For storage purposes, you need containers. It is important to use containers that won’t transfer any toxins to the water because it will all be useless if we put our health at stake by mistake. Generally, you have three container options – food-grade plastic, stainless steel, and glass. You should not compromise the quality of your water with contaminated and unsafe water containers. With how much water do you need, it’s up to you as long as you replace it every six months to ensure its cleanliness.
- Food Grade Plastic. This kind of container is the highly recommended one because it is durable, light-weight, and cost-efficient. It is recommended as much as possible to store water in commercial water bottle containers, which you may use in times of emergencies. Commercially bottled water usually comes in small containers, so you must have a few larger storage containers. The containers should be sealed tightly. This simple measure will help your water containers stay free of bacteria. Plastics as they are, they should be that kind of food-grade plastics. To thoroughly sanitize the water containers, clean them first with soap and then disinfect them with a teaspoon of non-scented liquid chlorine bleach with a quart of water. Do not use bleaches that contain added scent or perfume, surfactants, or other additives – they can make people sick. Once they’ve been cleaned and sanitized, you may fill them up. Replace the water every six months for your good. Label each bottle with dates showing when the bottles were filled and when they need to be refilled. You have to check the bottles every 12 months to ensure they are clean, and you may replace them as well. Plastic ice cream containers with cover can also be reused to store water. Keep them in the freezer, and they can be used for drinking and cooking. You may also collect rainwater, make sure that you disinfect it with household bleach.
- Stainless Steel. Stainless steels are suitable water containers as long as the water isn’t treated with chlorine because chlorine is destructive to most metals, which may also be a health hazard. They are good for long term water storage needs. They are particularly good at protecting the stored water from sunlight. They are also durable and do not discharge chemicals in the water. However, they are too expensive and heavier compared to others.
- Glass. Glass is also safe for the storage of water. However, you must take note that it is prone to breaking, and it is heavier. Never use an old glass container, which was probably used for storing other components before because you may never know how safe it is.
- Water Tanks or Large Water Storage Containers. Water tanks are big containers of water, it can hold lots of water, which you can continue using even for long periods. However, water tanks are expensive and hard to move from one place to another. But if you’re looking for the ideal long-term water storage container, the water tank would be ideal.
Of all suggested storage containers, the most readily available containers at home are mostly plastics, so it’s way better to use them. Additionally, do not use milk containers because protein cannot be adequately removed with washing, and may enable bacteria to get in. You must remember to keep them stored in a cool, dark place, not where sunlight directly hits them. The storage area must also be safe from flooding.