Water Preparedness

“Water, water everywhere, so let’s all have a drink.” -- Homer Simpson

Nice try, Homer. But the line from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” reads: “Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink.”

And the truth is, it doesn’t take a large-scale disaster for us to share the Mariner's anguished experience. While one can live for some time without food, no one can survive long without water. The body dehydrates and becomes susceptible to disease brought about by poor hygiene. The good news is that water can be purchased and stored relatively inexpensively.

How can I store an adequate supply of safe water?

Buy bottled water. It is the best and most efficient use of your preparedness dollars. A 2 ½-gallon container costs about $2.50; smaller sizes cost a bit more per gallon.

Store at least one gallon of water per person per day. According to the U.S. government, forty-two gallons of water will supply a family of three for two weeks. That's 18 of the 2 ½-gallon containers, at a total cost of $45. For a family of nine, bottled water it is still a cheap fix at $135.

The only challenge is storage space. But even that is easier to find than you may think. Stacked two or three high, 18 2 ½-gallon containers take up the space of a normal television set. Keep costs down by transferring water from the large to the smaller hand-sized containers. Watch expiration dates – if you store tap water, rotate frequently or purchase water stabilization products.

Finally, you may want to store over-the-counter water treatments like potable iodine tablets.

What are some safe sources of water, in addition to my stored water?

If a disaster can be predicted, fill your bathtubs, sinks and any container you can find. Use this for sanitation (e.g., working your toilets). Try to save stored water for drinking.

Your water heater is a relatively safe source of drinking water. Although not the most pleasant-tasting, it is the same water you drink from the tap. Most water heaters have a spigot near the bottom where you can drain the water. Use the first few gallons for hygiene use (there may be lime deposits at the bottom) and let it cool before drinking.

How can I ensure the water I am drinking is safe?

Purify all water other than bottled water, which should be safe until the expiration date. Be suspicious. Certain disasters could contaminate your water supply without your knowledge.

To purify, boil water for at least 10 minutes, or add a water treatment. We can all live for a little while without a drink of water, but drinking just a few drops of contaminated water can make us sick.

This explanation of water preparedness is just a starting point. With additional research, you can develop an efficient plan--one that will make Homer’s words, not Coleridge's, come true.

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