More on Water Storage and Purification

Water Storage and Purification

1. Water Requirements

v     The amount of water required to survive will vary depending on the environment—when it’s hotter, you’ll need more

v     The average requirement is 1 gallon per person, per day - 2 quarts for drinking and 2 quarts for food prep and bathing

v     Store at least a 3 day supply. Two weeks is preferred.

v     Don’t forget to store water for pets and animals.

2. Water Discipline

v     Have you ever considered how much water you really use per day? 3.5 gallons per flush of the toilet; 5+ gallons for a shower; 37 gallons for a load of laundry; 15 gallons for the dishwasher; and 3 gallons per minute every time the tap is running . 4 flushes + 1 shower + 1 load of laundry + 1 load in the dishwasher + 1 minute of Tap time = ~ 74 gallons per day!

3. Types of Purification

v     Mechanical (ceramic filter/charcoal filter/UV) – There are numerous brands and types of mechanical filters on the market. Some are a combination of Ceramic filter, chemical treatment, and charcoal filtration.

      _ Ceramic filters have a long life (>1,000 gallons) and have excellent filtration properties against solid matter and organisms, but clog quickly and are labor intensive. They can be easily cleaned with plastic scrubbing pads (usually included with filter). For home use, get one that you can fill and let gravity do the work.

      _ Ceramic filters will not filter chemicals from the water. If you are concerned about chemical contamination, use an active charcoal filter in conjunction with your ceramic filter. Many filters come in this combination. NOTE: Once used, no matter how little, Active Charcoal will “wear” out. It is usually only good for a few hundred gallons. Get a filter that allows simple replacement of the charcoal.

      _ UV lights are meant to kill organisms. They will not filter anything.

v     Chemical – There are also numerous brands of chemical purification. All are intended to kill harmful organisms in the water. Chemical purification will not protect you from harmful chemical contaminants.

                        _ Household bleach (2 drops per quart)

                        _ Iodine tablets (not for long term use)

§         _ Other brands available from Walmart & outdoor recreational stores

v     Still - If electrical power or another source of abundant energy is available, consider using a water purification still. (available from survival stores)  A still may not remove all chemical contaminants—again, it may be a good idea to run distilled water through an active charcoal filter.

4. Types of Storage

v     Numerous types available. Pick the ones that fit your budget and the space available. Key points:

                        1.  Commercially bottled water is preferred. It has an indefinite shelf                        life if unopened. Rotation is wise.

                        2.  Your house probably has built in water storage in water heater &                                     toilet tanks (as long as you don’t have toilet cleaner in the tank).  In                          an emergency, fill containers and bathtubs with water. This should                                   be disinfected before use.

                        3.  Water can be stored for years

                        4.  Container should be opaque. Light will promote algae growth.

                        5.  Temperature will not affect storage. However, freezing could                                cause the container to burst and heat could cause the water to take                                on the taste of the container.

5. How to Store Water

v      Your own containers must be prepared.  Here are some tips:

                  1.  Use food grade containers only.

                  2.  Do not use containers previously used to store non-food                                         products.

                  3.  Do not use milk or juice containers. They have protein and fruit                            sugars that cannot be removed.

                  4.  Empty and refill containers regularly.

                  5.  Purify water before storing or use public water supply (tap                                    water).

v      Store containers off the ground.

v      Prevent contamination: Do not store plastic containers near gasoline, pesticides, and chemicals.

v      Improve the taste of stored water by pouring it back and forth between two containers, pouring it through a filter, letting it sit open overnight, adding a pinch of salt or adding a drink mix such as Kool-aid.

v      Do not keep empty containers! Store water in them.

6.  Preparing Water Containers

v     Wash container with warm, soapy water.

v     Rinse.

v     Sanitize with one teaspoon of household bleach (unscented) per one quart of water. Swish and leave it for two minutes.

v     Rinse with drinking water.

v     Fill container with tap water. Don't use a hose.

v     Cap and label “Drinking Water” and date stored.

v     After six months, empty and refill.

7.  HOW TO PURIFY WATER

v     Boiling is the safest method.  Bring water to a rolling boil for 3 to 5 minutes.

v     Chlorination is the simplest method of treating water. Use liquid household bleach with 5.25-6.0% sodium hypochlorite (no scented or color-safe). Add 8 drops per gallon for clear water. Add 16 drops per gallon for cloudy water. (Filter first) Stir or shake and let stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a slight chlorine smell to it. If not treat again.

v     Distillation- involves boiling water and then collecting the vapor that condenses back to water. Removes salt and parasites.

v     Iodine Tablets - sold at camping stores, not for long term use. They may be harmful to some people.

v     Commercial Filters - units like Britta DO NOT remove parasites or other contaminants! They only improve taste.

8.  DO NOT DRINK:

v     Pool water

v     Waterbeds

v     Hot tubs

v     Flood  water

9.  WHEN TO DISINFECT WATER

v     Water used in beverages such as coffee, tea, lemonade or baby formula.

v     Water used as an ingredient in food products. ( i.e. sauces, desserts, dressings. Etc.)

v     Water used for hand washing.

v     Water used for making ice.

v     Water used for washing and sanitizing of food prep surfaces (i.e. dishes, counter tops, etc.)

v     Water used for washing produce.

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.

Ready or Not!!

     We are really excited about the Ready or Not Community Preparedness Fair that we will be putting on in just a little over a week for the Sweetwater, Texas area.  There will be booths demonstrating a variety of areas of preparation, such as:  water procurement, disinfection, and storage, sanitation, cooking without electricity, 72-hour kits, gardening methods, food preservation and storage, first aid, and developing a family plan.
     If you live in the area, please come to the Wal-Mart parking lot on Saturday, November 13, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm for samples, demonstrations, and education.