Although science has indicated we can survive on one pint of water a day, 2 quarts is a more
realistic minimum and 2 gallons is the ideal. Based on the ideal it would be impossible to
properly store a years supply of water in an apartment, or even a city home, therefore we
suggest you concentrate on providing an absolute minimum water supply of one week (5-15 gallons)
per person. A more appropriate amount would be a 30 day supply (20-60 gallons per person).
You can store water best in clean 5, 22, or 55 gallon food-grade plastic containers with air
tight lids. Be sure to use only food-grade containers! This type of container is made from
polycarbonate, polyester or polyethylene. High density polyethylene buckets will have HDPE
stamped on them, or a recycle symbol with a "2" in the middle. These can be purchased from
various sources on-line or you might try your local restaurant supply store. Soda, syrup or
juice concentrate barrels are very economical. Get barrels that have been used only once,
which are safe to store drinking water if filled and sealed properly.
Your water can be prepared for storage by adding either tablespoon of household bleach or
tincture of iodine to each 5 gallons of stored water. In tropical or lush semi-tropical areas,
it is better to use the iodine as chlorine has not proven as effective. Even after adding the
iodine or bleach, we remind you that all consumable water (including that used for brushing
your teeth) should be run through a good water purifier. Our research indicates that treated
and purified water stored up to 7 years, remained free of fungus and visible bacterial growth.
Never rely on a bathtub full of water or a swimming pool as your primary source of water in
an emergency. Although these are two popular assumptions, relying on either could be a disaster
in itself. Heres why: In many events of a tornado or earthquake, the water mains have been
ruptured and the water has been contaminated. Therefore, opening a faucet forces this
contamination into your domestic system and will ruin the 40 to 50 gallons of good clean water
that was previously available. Instead of immediately running the tub full of water, turn off
the water at the meter and turn it back on only after you are assured that the mains are secure.
Just as with water mains, swimming pools are prone to rupture. In either scenario, the water
would need to be purified as well, to be a safe, consumable source.
Remember that typhoid fever, dysentery, and infectious hepatitis are diseases often associated
with unsafe water. Dont take a chance! Under serious disaster conditions usually NO water can
be presumed safe and all drinking and cooking water should be purified.
In extreme situations when safely stored water is unavailable, water drained from the hot water
tank, melted ice cubes, water from the toilet flush tank (not the bowl), canned fruit and
vegetable juices, and liquid from other canned foods can be the only option. If you must use
toilet tank water, it must be purified! Never use chemically "blue" water.
DisasterChecklist.pdf
(44kb Nov 2004)