How much water do you need?

According to emergency officials at the Department of Defense, you should try to store two week’s worth of water for your family. Each person requires approximately one gallon of water per day, so multiply the number of people x 14 gallons per day.

For example for a family of four:

4 people x 1 gallon of water per day x 14 days = 56 gallons of water for a family of four for two weeks.

How should you store water?

You can store water in a variety of containers; however you need to make sure that they haven’t been used for dangerous chemicals prior to using them for storing water. Look for containers made of plastic, glass, fiberglass, or enamel. Once you determine which containers you will utilize, make sure that you wash them and rinse them very well prior to filling with water.

In addition there are 55 gal drums which are created specifically for water storage. If you can obtain one or two of these, you will be well on your way to proper water storage. However, keep in mind, water is very heavy, so these drums will weigh approximately 440 pounds!

You can also store water in food grade containers. Look for the following letters: HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) on the container.

How do I Purify Water?

According to the Louisiana Homeland Security Emergency Preparedness, Boiling and chemical sterilization are two ways to purify water

Any water that is obtained from sources outside the home or water that does not appear clear should be sterilized. Non-sterilized water may be contaminated with the parasite Giardia.

Straining water. Strain water containing sediment or floating material through a cloth or paper filter before beginning the purification process.

• Heat sterilization. Boiling water is the preferred method of purification because disease-causing- microorganisms cannot survive the intense heat. Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Pour the water back and forth from one clean container to another to improve the taste. Adding a pinch of salt could also help.

• Chemical sterilization. In some situations, boiling may not be an option. The alternative is to treat the water chemically. Plain household chlorine bleach may be used. Be sure the label states that hypochlorite is the only active ingredient. Bleach containing soap or fragrances is not acceptable. With an eye dropper, add 8 drops of bleach per gallon of water (16 if the water is cloudy), stir and let stand. After 30 minutes the water should taste and smell of chlorine. At this time it can be used. If the taste and smell (and appearance in the case of cloudy water) has not changed, add another dose and let stand. If after one half hour the water does not have a chlorine smell, do not use it.

Where to Store Water

Once you have determined the amount of water that you need for emergencies, make sure you label them with “drinking water” and the current date. Store the water in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Potable water has a very long shelf life; however, if you have the chance, you should change the water out about once every six months.