Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Stocking Up for Emergencies
Grocery stores typically run out of bottled water in the first few hours after a public water sys-
tem fails. I recommend that all households store at least 5 gallons of drinking water to cover
short-term glitches in public water systems. An adequate two-week supply of water would be
14 gallons per person. A 55-gallon plastic drum of stored drinking water does not take up much
space in the corner of a garage and would provide a family of four with a two-week emergency
supply of drinking water in case of an earthquake or other disaster.
Note:
Be sure to protect water in storage containers from freezing, and stock chemicals (or
purifying filters) to treat water in these containers, as untreated water will grow bacteria over
time.
Home-bottled chlorinated tap water should be changed every month, treated before use, or
preserved to prevent bacterial growth. Use commercial water preservatives or two to four drops
of household bleach per quart of clean potable water to preserve stored drinking water. If stored
water is tightly sealed, taste it monthly or chemically test for residual chlorine, and treat again
if the chlorine has disappeared. If the container is not sealed, re-treat every few days during us-
age periods. Preparedness/survival suppliers sell food-grade plastic drums, smaller water con-
tainers, and water preservatives such as the Katadyn Micropur products, which preserve home-
bottled water for long-term storage.
Guidelines for Coping with Disaster
In a disaster situation,
conservation counts, because your life may depend on it
. Use rivers,
lakes, or ponds for washing (provided that they are not severely polluted) to conserve potable
water for drinking. If you are aware of an impending natural disaster, such as a hurricane or tor-
nado, or you have just survived a significant earthquake and your house is still intact, take the
following precautions:
•
Immediately fill your bathtubs, sinks, and other available containers with water.
This will provide your household with a short-term supply of clean, potable water.
•
Conserve stored water.
There is a supply of clean, potable water in the toilet tanks,
hot-water heater, and piping in your house.
•
Tape off all toilets.
When you notice that the tap water has stopped flowing, conserve
the water in your toilet tanks (the tanks, not the bowl, contain potable water) and im-
mediately notify the occupants to not flush the toilets.
Caution:
Do not drink the
toilet-tank water if you use an automatic toilet cleaner (it turns the water blue).
