Wednesday Why: Why Water?

Why Water?  Why should an individual or family store water as part of their home storage?  The simplest answer is water is essential to life.  I have posted on water in the past, but thought it time to repost as a reminder about storing water.  Below are some basics to storing water.

During storms, natural disasters or other emergencies like water pipes bursting, the water supply may become disrupted or contaminated.  For this reason, it is wise to have on hand a 2 week supply of water for each person in the home.  1 gallon per day is the minimum (if it is really hot weather, or other health concerns like diabetes, double the amount).  Water is your most precious survival item, without water you cannot survive for much longer than a few days whereas you can live without food for longer.  With unclean water, you may contract diseases that could lead to death or at least an uncomfortable existence.  With no water, you will die after a few days, or at least sustain permanent kidney damage or other problems.

When a major disaster happens, it is safe and wise to assume the water is unsafe without further purification, as many times disasters can cause contamination of some sort to the water supply.  Immediately after a major disaster (earthquake, tornado, whatever), shut off the water supply to your home at the valve that goes to the water main outside.  This step helps in keeping possible polluted water out of the house's water supply.

Storing water is a big undertaking, but essential.  Water takes up space, lots of it.  And it is heavy, so think through how you will store it, in what types of containers.

Storage of water:

Keep water in a cool, dark place if possible.  If in the garage (where can get warm) at least cover with black garbage bag to get it dark.  Store AWAY from fumes and gases, chemicals, pesticides, etc.  and off the concrete floor, you can put it on shelves or wood.  Periodically check water storage for cloudiness, odor, leaks, etc.  replace as need.  Otherwise water, if stored properly, should store indefinitely.  During cold climates, don't fill containers completely in case the water freezes, you want room for it to expand.

There are small and large containers used to store water.  What you choose will depend on your space, your preference, and cost of course.  A gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds.  Water storage will take up a lot of space, so you will want to learn how to purify water as well.  Think of it this way, a year’s supply of wheat uses less space than a 2 week supply of water!

55+ gallon drums hold a lot of water, but when filled are heavy!!  Too heavy to move without emptying it some (55 gallons at 8 pounds a gallon is 440 pounds).  But it stores a lot in less space than say one gallon jugs.  (You’d need 55 gallon jugs to have the same amount of water that fits in one 55 gallon drum).  So in the case of a larger family, drums might be the way to go since they are more space friendly.  But, because they can’t be moved easily, you may want some smaller containers as well, in case you need to leave your home.  This would be wise for the 72 hour kit—to have smaller containers, plus ways to purify.

Containers:

All containers should be food grade.  Cleaned thoroughly—sanitized (see below).  Leak-proof.

Milk jugs:  can be used for shorter periods of time, the plastic begins to break down over time.  They tend to leak within a few months to a year, depending on where and how stored.

Pop, juice, syrup, etc. bottles:  a good choice for smaller containers, oddly shaped though and can’t be stacked easily, so take up more space.

Drums:  large, space efficient in some respects, costly at the get go, but the cost might be worth it in space saved…   Will also need a bung wrench and pump to remove water stored in them.  HEAVY when filled.  

Other containers:  don’t use metal (it can corrode, rust), glass can break and is heavier than plastic, containers that contained cleaning agents, etc

Sanitizing containers to be used:  wash + rinse bottles thoroughly.  Fill with about 1 qt water, add ¼ c. bleach.  Put lid on, shake vigorously and turn upside down to get the cap too.  Let stand 2-3 min.  Pour bleach water into next container to be sanitized and repeat process.  (same water can be used for more than one container).  After containers have been swished with bleach water, fill with purified water, label (be sure to label that it was purified water and the date it was prepared).

Methods to purify:

Boil:  most preferred, easiest.  Boil vigorously 5-10 min.  Cool, pour between clean containers to aerate. 

Distill:  extension to boiling. Boil water and collect the water vapor that condenses on the lid.  This water won’t have other impurities.  Fill large pot with water.  Tie a cup or small pie plate to handle of pot lid (lid will be upside down, cup upside up, but not touching water being boiled).   This method also works to make fresh water out of salt water.  Instead of boiling, can use sun to heat water--will take longer.

Filters:  commercial filters, follow directions

Chlorine Bleach:  don’t use if cloudy* water or other noticeable sediments.  Must first remove all large particles (filter water through cloth, several layers, several times if need, then chlorinate).  1/4 to 1/2 t per gallon of water let stand 30 min, should have a slight chlorine odor, if not repeat and let stand 15 min. before using.  Use fresh bleach, if it is older, you will have to double the amount.  If too much chlorine is used, cramps, vomiting or diarrhea can be a problem.

*if water is cloudy, first try to filter as noted, if still cloudy double the amount of bleach.

Other chemical treatments:  water purification tablets:  check types/purposes/what they purify against, etc.  also check expiration dates.  Follow directions and allow sufficient time for the chemical to work before you try to use the water.  

Water sources in & around the home:

Water heater (turn off gas/electric supply, close main water valve, open water faucet, drain water  from drain plug at bottom—don’t turn on electric or gas until intake valve reopened and tank is full of water again)

water softener containers, toilet tank

Canned fruits and veggies, juices, soups, other high moisture foods.

If more than one level to home:  drain water that is in your pipes (turn off main water supply first, open a faucet on top floor and open faucet on lowest level—to collect any water left in pipes).

Dew in the morning:  mop up with clean T-shirt or towel and squeeze into clean container, purify by boiling or other methods.

make a still in yard:  use to collect water from the ground that is evaporating.  dig a hole, and using plastic, rocks, container and if have a clean tube, collect distilled water.  Uses heat from the sun to cause evaporation and distillation of water.  If don’t have a big hole, can use two pots (on inside of the other, or a glass jar inside a pot, with the plastic weighted down like below.  2 stills should provide enough water for 1 person each day.

Water from plants:  wrap a tree branch or other plant with plastic, water will condense onto plastic; also certain types of plants indicate water in the ground around it (still have to remove and purify).

Wednesday Why: Bleach

Wednesday Why

I thought I’d start a new type of post.  One where I answer questions that I have had myself or received over the years of learning about self-reliance and home storage.

Today’s Why?:  Why should I keep bleach on hand?

Besides using bleach to clean and bleach clothing, bleach is helpful in a situation where water needs to be purified.  For this type of use, use only non-scented plain bleach.  (see the EPA website on emergency disinfection here for information on ways to purify water for drinking)

For those living in a hurricane or other disaster prone area (the low-country included), bleach is helpful to have for cleanup after such a disaster.  Some things after disasters can’t be used again, but some things can after being cleaned properly.

So here are the 3 main reasons I keep bleach on hand:

1. normal household cleaning and clothes bleaching
2. water storage and purification 
3. disaster cleanup

After many disasters, it isn’t always just the actual disaster or lack of food and water that causes death or disease, but the lack of cleanliness during the days and weeks after the disaster.

There may be other reasons to keep bleach on hand (it does help break down organic matter), but I think even with the above 3 is reason enough for me.

Miscellaneous Monday: Water

Our bodies require water to operate properly.  After major natural or man-made disasters, water can be scarce or not safe to drink.  I hope the following information is helpful to you in deciding to store water, to learn to purify water and to otherwise learn what you can do to prepare for a situation that requires you to have knowledge about safe drinking water.

Below you will find links to other websites that provide some great information about water and water storage.  I have personally looked at these sites and information, and recommend them.  I have no monetary incentive to refer you to these sites.  My desire is to share information that would be helpful to you in preparing your water storage.

But first I want to share part of a report about the drinking water situations after Hurricane Katrina slammed into our nation, I do this to illustrate the need to store water and otherwise learn how to purify water.  The amount of time for water safety quality to be reached and maintained varies with the situation, sometimes a boil order may only last hours, other times water will be unavailable for weeks, either way it is wise to have some water storage and knowledge on obtaining and purifying water.

“Two weeks after Hurricane Katrina, EPA reported that about 30% of the affected drinking water and 40% of the affected wastewater facilities were again operating. However, many of the inoperable drinking water and wastewater plants serve large numbers of customers. In Biloxi, for example, officials were unable to re-pressurize the drinking water system because of broken and inaccessible water mains and valves. One-third of the sewage treatment facilities in Harrison County, Mississippi (serving Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach, and Pass Christian) were destroyed or very severely damaged. Similarly, drinking water and sewage service for more than a million customers in New Orleans (discussed below) was severely disrupted.

EPA reported that by October 10 — and following a second hurricane, Hurricane Rita, that hit Texas and parts of Louisiana on September 24 — more than 85% of drinking water and 95% of wastewater treatment facilities in the region were operational.1 However, as of that date, 131 drinking water systems (67 in Louisiana and 64 in Mississippi) were operating on a boil water notice pending test results to ensure that the water has been restored to standards safe for public consumption, and 175 others (142 in Louisiana and 33 in Mississippi) serving about 200,000 consumers were either inoperable or their status was unknown. All drinking water facilities in Alabama were reported to be operational. In Texas, 45% of drinking water facilities were operational two weeks after Hurricane Rita, and the remainder were operating on a boil water notice, were not operating, or were still being investigated.”

source:  http://www.vepr.lsu.edu/References/Hurricane%20Damage%20to%20Drinking%20Water.pdf

Please note:  I have not found any copyrights restricting me from sharing this information, I have listed the source of the information that I found when using google to search for drinking water after Katrina. As for the links below, I know of no restriction or copyrights about sharing links.

The list of links below is not a comprehensive list of everything available online or otherwise, it is simply a small list of links I put together that I thought would be helpful in sharing water storage & purification information.

Water storage posts and tutorials:

http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,7534-1-4065-1,00.html (basic information about water storage)

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/f&web.pdf (has a great diagram to show distillation by boiling water)

http://waterquality.cce.cornell.edu/emergency.htm#disinfect (directs you to a page that has links to some of the publications listed below)

http://extension.usu.edu/foodstorage/htm/water-storage (Utah State University publication)

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/FN_FoodPreservation_2006-01pr.pdf (Utah State University publication)

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/emergency/water.html (Colorado State University)

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/fch/sites/default/files/documents/water_storage_for_emergencies.pdf (Oregon State University)

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/emergwatersuppl.html (North Carolina State University)

http://waterquality.cce.cornell.edu/publications/CCEWQ-12-WaterEmergencyUse.pdf (Cornell)

http://waterquality.cce.cornell.edu/emergency.htm (Cornell, same link as above but directs you to the top of the page rather than just about disinfecting water)

http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/ui338.pdf (a Penn State publication)

http://imstillplantingfortomorrow.blogspot.com/2011/07/water-storage.html (my own blog post on water storage, containers and purification)

 On cleaning and reusing pop bottles:  http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-tostore-water-in-plastic-bottles.html

(a great tutorial on how to prepare plastic bottles to store water)

On containers:  

http://imstillplantingfortomorrow.blogspot.com/2011/07/water-storage-containers.html (my own blog post with a table of different types of containers)

http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2008/08/water-storage-methods.html (a post on methods (containers) to store water, just a note any outdoor water storage (swimming pool) may be affected during a disaster and should NOT be considered safe until further purification has been done)

http://www.connorboyack.com/drop/water.pdf (prices are a little out-dated, but the information is still very useful)

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/babysteps/step-2-water/ (a blog page that gives key points to remember when storing water, as well as links to things pertaining to storage and purification)

On purification:

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/pdfs/fs_emergency-disinfection-drinkingwater-2006.pdf (an EPA publication on making water safe to drink)

http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2008/08/water-purification.html (a post on methods of purification)

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/babysteps/step-2-water/ (same link as above, but put under this heading as well since contains links to purification)

http://www.connorboyack.com/drop/water.pdf (same as above, contains information about purification)

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/01/15/beyond-the-babysteps-water-purification/ (post on purifying water)

Water sources in an emergency:

http://safelygatheredin.blogspot.com/2008/09/emergency-water.html (post on water sources around the home)

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/02/04/beyond-the-babysteps-water-alternate-sources/ (post on alternate water sources beyond stored water)

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/06/25/water-evaporation-still/ (how to make a ground evaporation still--just a note these aren’t the most effective for obtaining large amounts of water, but better than nothing, so it is still a good idea to learn about them in case the need arises)

Water saving tips:

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2010/10/04/water-saving-tips/ (ideas on how to save water in emergencies, as well as otherwise)

As you plan your home storage, be sure to include water!  In the past I did a post on ideas on how to obtain items for home storage, here is the link: http://imstillplantingfortomorrow.blogspot.com/2011/08/thrifty-thursday_18.html. 

Water Storage

One of the guidelines put forth in the “All Is Safely Gathered In:  Home Storage” pamphlet is to get and maintain a water storage. 

Our bodies consist of a large amount of water, so it only makes sense that we need water for survival.  So how much should we store?  Emergency agencies and many other sources suggest a minimum of 1 gallon per person per day for a period of 2 weeks (or at least 72 hours!).  After a major disaster, the water supply may or may not be affected, but it is better to assume it is affected until authorities declare otherwise and to either purify it or use stored drinking water.  But, even without major disasters, periodically the water supply can be disrupted for things like:  pipes bursting and being fixed, overhaul of the system, other contaminants leached into the system, etc. So it is always good to be prepared and have a supply of drinking water at home.

Below is a handout I made for a water storage class taught at church based off of this guideline and counsel.  (if you'd like to print it, click on the image, hit your print button and print page 1 at 158%)

Some notes:  When seeking for water sources outdoors (ponds, lakes, streams, etc.) remember that wildlife also use those water sources.  Be aware of what kind of wildlife could be around:  raccoons, alligators, snakes, bears, spiders, etc.  

If you have pets, you will need to store water for them too, 1/2-1 gallon per day (or you can measure the amount you actually usually give to your pet daily and add a little more for good measure when calculating how much to store.)

If a disaster causes flooding, discard any food items that came in contact with the flood waters, stay out of flood waters--they can be fast moving, have sewage and other contaminants as well as debris that can cause injury, and have potentially dangerous wildlife swimming around.

When storing water, store it off the ground (cement).  Also, remember any tools and extras you will need to remove the water from the container(s) you have chosen (pictured: bung wrench and manual pumps).