Water for an Emergency Kit

In an emergency situation, as part of good emergency preparedness make sure you have an emergency water supply organised.

It’s a large topic to cover, but it’s important to understand all the aspects.

Why is Water Important in an Emergency Kit

We need water to survive. While we can survive for about 3 weeks without food, it is much less time without water.

If you didn’t know, we are a mushy skin sack that is made up of around 60% water.

Without water we get dehydrated. Extreme dehydration is not good for our vital organs, and it can cause problems when it comes to processing information and working through problems.

The amount of water you lose depends on the situation you are in, how much you sweat and your exertion levels.

Eventually, the lack of water can cause death. Something I’m trying to avoid as much as possible.

What Could Go Wrong With the Water Supply During an Emergency?

A lot.

The main causes of water supply problem is the supply itself. Broken pipes and power outages could mean that your water supply is no more. When you turn on your tap, nothing comes out.

Or something comes out, but it isn’t looking good.

Waterborne pathogens or diseases could be present. This could make you very sick. Giardia from drinking water is never fun.

Water may look clean, but looks can be deceiving. Officials should put out any warnings about water supplies during an emergency, but this can’t always be relied upon when they are busy. If in doubt treat your water.

How Much Water Should I Keep on Hand for Emergencies?

The standard rule you see mentioned this is either one gallon of water per person per day for 3 days. Alternatively, you might also see 3 liters of water per person per day for 3 days.

All depends on where you are located in the world.

Interestingly, 1 gallon = 4.54 liters.

I guess keeping it simple is the main reasoning for using these numbers.

This water is for drinking and sanitation purposes. Although some sources do say some of it can be used for cooking.

Have More Water if Possible

The 3 day measurement is a standard time frame given out. The idea is, within those 3 days you will either be evacuated or receive some sort of help.

I’m not sure if that will be the case.

People located in hot climates, are sick or pregnant should set aside more water as a starting point.

You might be on your own for a lot longer. The more items you have, the longer it is before you either need to ask for help, or to venture out to get more supplies.

One or two weeks worth of safe water is what I think is a better goal to aim towards.

Start with the basic formula.

Water for Pets

Don’t forget about your pets. They will need water to get through the emergency as well. Dog’s and cats you will need to have around 1 gallon each per day.

What Your Emergency Water is Not For

Sticking with the basic amount required. Here are some things that your emergency water is not for:

Washing clothes
Showers

It’s just for each person to drink and basic sanitation. It’s to stop dehydration and to keep you alive.

More emergency water in better in my opinion.

But….

There has to be some sort of balance.

Storing water can take up a lot of space. It could also be heavy in large quantities.

Where to Source Your Emergency Water From

You may be lucky and be sourcing your water already from tank supply, a bore from the ground or a well. If that is the case, find out how to access it if you have no power. This could work for you in an emergency situation.

Keep in mind that the water could get contaminated. So take precautions as contaminated water can contain microorganisms.

Other sources would be commercially bottled water, or water you have store beforehand yourself.

Commercially Bottled Water

This bottled water you can buy from the store.

Positives:

It can be filtered or spring water so no nasty bugs
Ready to drink straight away
Can have long shelf life
It can come in a variety of sizes
Convenient

Negatives

Can be expensive
Might have a short shelf life
Containers might not be in convenient sizes

This is where most people will start. You can easily get multiple bottles in a pack. Which is ideal when your emergency kit is helping multiple people. It pays to write people’s names on bottles to help stop any contamination if someone is sick.

You can add to it easily over time.

You can’t look past the convenience of already bottles water. Have a look around to see what quantities are available and the price they go for. See if it makes sense to you to purchase some.

Long Life Commercial Water

There is also long life emergency drinking water available. You can get emergency water pouches or it can come in cans.

It might be something to consider for your kits. It can range in shelf life from 5 years to 50.

Notes Around Commercially Bottled Water

Observe the expiration date
Keep it in it’s original container and do not open until you need to use it
Store in a cool location.
Do not store it in direct sunlight
Do not store it where there are toxic substances like gasoline or pesticides.

Storing Your Own Water

This option is when you source and store water in your own containers.

Positives:

Could be cheaper
Easy to do
Bigger range of storage options

Negatives

Might be added cost because of containers
Might not store as well

Storing your own water gives you a bit more flexibility I feel with the containers you can use to store it.

Sanitizing Your Water Storage Containers

If storing your own water, it is good practice to sanitize the containers before storing water in them.

This helps water from getting contaminated.

Wash the container and rinse thoroughly
Take 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid bleach and mix it into 1 quart of water. You want to use bleach that contains 5-9% sodium hypochlorite
Take this mixture and add it to your container. Cover it and shake it well making sure the bleach mixture touches all areas inside the container
Pour out the liquid.
Either let the container air dry before use. Or rinse it out with safe water.
Fill with clean water and seal with a lid

Using Bleach to Help Store Water

A small amount of bleach can be added to stored water to make it safe.

Thoroughly clean the containers and lids with hot water. Make sure to not use boiling water as this could damage the container.
Fill the containers to the top with regular tap water until it overflows. Remove a small amount of water. Enough to allow for the drops of household chlorine bleach. This bleach must not contain any scents, perfumes, surfactants or other additives.
Tightly close the container making sure there are no air gaps.
Don’t drink any water treated this way for at least 30 minutes.

Notes Around Storing Your Own Water

Clearly label the containers as drinking water. Make sure to note on the container when it was stored
6 months is the usual timeframe to switch out your own stored water

Water Storage Containers

If you are storing your own water. Make sure you are using the best containers you can for it.

Use food-grade water storage containers are ideal
Camping stores are a good place to start looking
Sanitize the container before using it to store water
Having a tap could be handy. But not a necessity

Avoid

Glass containers. They may be hard to seal properly, and there is a risk of them breaking.
Milk or fruit juice containers. Milk protein and fruit sugars will probably still be present and can contaminate your water with bacterial growth
Containers that can’t be sealed tightly
Any container that has been used for any chemical

Other Considerations for Water Containers

Another aspect to think of for water containers, the larger they are, the heavier they will be.

Will members of your family etc. be able to lift the containers if needed? Or if you have gone with very large drums or tanks, do you have the items you need to easily get the water out?

Checking Your Stored Water

For commercially bottled water you want to take note of the expiration date printed on the bottles. Water should be used or replaced by this date.

For water you have stored yourself. Replace this water every six months. Make sure to write the date you stored the water on the container.

If any water looks cloudy, has changed color, smells strange or tastes weird. Don’t use it. It’s not worth the risk.

What If You Run Out of Water during an Emergency?

If you run out of water either by consuming it all, or not having enough or it being inaccessible, you will need to find another source of water.

This could be an emergency supply officials have set up. It could be from other people, from a natural water source or maybe from a source you already have at home.

Water Supplied by Officials

If water is being offered by officials you will need to know about it.

It might be mentioned on social media, local websites, or better yet on the radio. You might not be able to access this information in some emergencies.

There might be set times you can access this water, and limits on what you are allowed.

Most likely there will be a lot of people wanting water as well, so lining up and waiting is most likely.

You’ll also need to have containers ready for this collection. The bigger the container, the heavier it is. The more you have, the more awkward it might be to transport it.

The smaller the container, the more you may need to go and refill it.

Water from other people

People might want to help you out if they have access to water. If it is store brought water with the seals still intact, there should be no problems. Make sure to wipe down the outside of any stored water bottles.

If the water isn’t store brought water, make sure to treat it before using.

Natural resources

Creeks or streams might be present near you. These could offer a good water source.

Again, treat all water from these sources before using. It could be contaminated or contain bacteria that could make you very sick.

Water you may already have at home

You may be able to access water from your water heater. Or your toilet cistern. Only use the water from a cistern if there has been no chemicals been used in it.

This water will need to be treated beforehand, just in case.

Other Considerations When it Comes to Emergency Water Supplies

Always consume store brought water first. Then move onto your own stored water.

After that, move onto water that may need to be treated. Stick with the safest supply first. Then move on only when you have to.

Sources of Water to Avoid

Any flood water should be avoided. Water that is dirty, or murky. If it smells bad, or tastes weird don’t drink it.

Treating Water

Any water that is from a questionable source or if you are ever in doubt you must treat it. Never take the risk of drinking bad water.

Chemical treatment

There are many different products for sale that claim to be able to treat water easily and simply. Depending on who you listen to they might work well, or they might not.

In an emergency situation this might be the only way you can have safer drinking water.

Make sure to have some water treatment tablets on hand.

The chlorine bleach method mentioned above for storing water can also be used. Make sure to wait at least 30 mins before drinking any. And only use the recommended amounts.

Filter treatment

There are many portable water filters you can use to help treat water.

Water filters can remove disease-causing bacteria. Making the water safe to drink. The process is simple. The water is pushed through the filter which removes harmful bacteria.

You can get filters that will allow you to push water through it into a container. Drink bottles with

Boiling water

Boiling water is a simple and safe method of water treatment.

Of course you need the ability to boil water.

Depending on your emergency and if you have access to electricity, or have another method to boil the water, this might not work for you.

The concept however is simple. Boiling water kills micro organisms that can cause problems to you.

Boil the water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute.
Let the boiled water cool down.
Store the boiled water in clean sanitized containers that have tight fitting lids.

Boiled water may taste a bit “flat” you can help by putting oxygen back into the water by pouring it between two clean containers. This will improve the taste of the stored water.

Conclusion

As you can see having water during an emergency is very important.

And it’s also a large topic to cover. There are many options and considerations when it comes to safe drinking water.

Take time to think about what works for your situation and what you need to do to make sure you have water when you need it.