Water, Water Everywhere and not a Drop to Drink!!

Water

Water from municipal water systems has undergone a series of procedures before it reaches our spigots. We are so used to turning on the tap and getting clean, clear, water that we don’t think much about it. We take clean water for granted until an event disrupts its flow – or the water system is contaminated. Suddenly drinkable water becomes extremely important. So we should store water just in case…

How Much Water do I Need?

You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking. Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:

v     • Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and

v     climate.

v     • Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.

v     • Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.

v     • A medical emergency might require additional water.

How Should I Store Water?

To prepare safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is recommended you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it. You may wish to prepare your own containers of water, however. You should store water in a cool, dark place. Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled water.  Bottled water is considered to have an indefinite safety shelf life if it is produced in accordance with Current Good Manufacturing Process and quality standard regulations and is stored in an unopened, properly sealed container. Therefore, FDA does not require an expiration date for bottled water. However, long-term storage of bottled water may result in aesthetic defects, such as off-odor and taste. Bottlers may voluntarily put expiration dates on their labels (the dates are useful for stock rotation rather than a “use by” date.)

If You Prepare Your Own Containers of Water

Good choices for your own storage containers are two-liter plastic soft drink bottles. Alternatively you may use plastic cooking oil containers, and plastic mouthwash containers.

If you use soft drink containers clean thoroughly the bottles with dish washing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap. Sanitize the bottles by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water. Re-cap the bottle and swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it touches all surfaces. After sanitizing the bottle pour out the solution and rinse thoroughly the container with water.

If you use plastic cooking oil containers wash them several times with warm to hot water and detergent several times to remove oil film from container. [Add water + soap to container, re-cap bottle, and shake to wash throughout.] Wash until you do not note traces of oil in the water + soap solution you pour out of the container. Sanitize as with soft drink containers.

If you use mouthwash containers rinse them a couple of times with water and then sanitize as with soft drink containers.

Note: Plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have contained milk or fruit juice have residues of milk protein or fruit sugars, which cannot be removed from their containers without some difficulty. They can provide environments for bacterial growth when water is stored in them. And milk containers do not seal well and their thin plastic can break or be punctured. Cardboard containers leak easily and are not designed for long-term storage of liquids. Also, do not use glass containers, because they can break and are heavy.

Filling Water Containers

Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water. If the tap water has been commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine, you do not need to add anything else to the water to keep it clean. If the water you are using comes from a well or water source that is not treated with chlorine, add 5-8 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. [Two liters = approximately ½ Gallon.] Close tightly the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap or container by touching the inside of either with your finger. Place a date on the outside of the container so that you know when you filled it. Store it in a cool, dark place. Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled water.

Toilet tanks and water heaters hold clean water, which can be used in an emergency.

You may purchase different size water storage containers from local stores or from various Web sites. K mart did stock 6 ½ gallon (Blitz) and 7 gallon (Reliance)

containers.

 For everyday use consider using a reusable plastic bottle, which you can re-fill with water from the tap. Estimates are that one quarter of bottled water comes from municipal sources, anyway.