A top priority for emergency preparedness is water storage. Clean, safe drinking water is absolutely critical for survival. What is the best way to store water for emergencies? What containers are best for water storage? How do you treat water for long-term storage? These are all important questions to understand to ensure you have a safe supply of drinking water when disaster strikes.
This article will take the guesswork out of long-term emergency water storage as we address these important questions:
• What are the critical uses of water in a disaster scenario?
• How much water should I store?
• What are the best containers for water storage?
• Does stored water ever “go bad”?
• How do I treat water for long-term storage?
Critical Uses for Water in a Disaster Scenario
We need water for hydration. Water is constantly being lost through respiration, perspiration, and normal elimination processes. That water must be replaced in order for our bodies to function properly. The human body requires a minimum of one quart of water per day just to sustain life. A healthier recommendation is drinking two quarts of water each day.It is important to store enough water to take care of personal hygiene and sanitation. Staying clean reduces the spread of disease, keeps our skin healthy, and just makes us feel better. Washing dishes and sanitizing surfaces are especially critical when germs are abundant and immune systems are compromised.
Water for medical and first aid needs is an important consideration. Water may be needed for flushing wounds or other medical procedures. It can take a lot of water to clean up after someone who is vomiting or has diarrhea.
Food preparation is another use that may be overlooked when calculating water needs. Cooking with freeze-dried or dehydrated foods requires clean water for re-hydration. If you just eat these foods as is, your body will need additional fluids in order to process them appropriately. Cooking with dry grains, beans, and rice requires water to make them edible.
Pets and livestock water needs must be calculated and included in your water storage plan.
Recommended Amounts for Water Storage
How much water should I store for emergencies? Expert opinions differ on the recommended amount of water people should store. FEMA recommends at least one gallon per person per day for a normally active person. Additional amounts are required for nursing mothers, children, sick people, high levels of activity, and the amount doubles during hot weather. This number takes into account two quarts for drinking and two quarts for food preparation and hygiene.
Let us put this into perspective. In our area, the average use per person is about 167 gallons of water per day. Indoor usage averages 68 gallons per person per day. Reducing water consumption from 68 gallons down to 1 gallon a day requires a drastic change in lifestyle.
Our personal recommendation is at least two gallons per person per day. We found it almost impossible to live off of one gallon per day. Perhaps if your food supply is made up of canned goods, which require no additional water, if you are leading a sedentary life indoors, and if no one gets sick or injured you may be able to get by on one gallon a day. Remember that good hydration is critical for a healthy body.
Two gallons per person per day is a realistic water storage goal. One gallon of drinking water per day is a safer estimate, particularly when considering that many disasters create an environment requiring heavy physical labor or exposure to the elements. When the need arises, if you find you can get by with less water, you will be able to make your water supply last a little longer.
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