Water: How Much Do I Need?
Rule of Thumb: a MINIMUM of 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 - 14 days. A more
generous amount would be 1¾ gallons per person per day.
* drinking
* food preparation
* hygiene
Warm climate & high altitude can double that amount.
Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need even more.
If supplies run low, NEVER RATION WATER! Drink the amount you need today & try to find more
for tomorrow.
Ways to Minimize Water Requirements
Reduce activity & stay cool.
Stock up on wipes for hygiene purposes.
Water Containers: Cleaning
Before filling with safe water, use these steps to clean & sanitize storage containers:
Don’t forget the lids!!!
Wash storage container with dishwashing soap & water.
Rinse completely with clean water.
Sanitize container by adding bleach solution of 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine
bleach in 1 quart of water.
Cover container & shake well so sanitizing bleach solution touches all inside surfaces of container.
Wait at least 30 seconds, then pour sanitizing solution out of container.
Let empty sanitized container air-dry before use OR rinse the empty container with clean, safe
water that is already available.
Water Container Options
For proper water storage:
Food-grade plastic containers are suitable for storing water.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in the manufacturing of certain types of water bottles. The
Food and Drug Administration has raised concerns about possible health risks associated with
BPA.
Water bottles made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or
polypropylene, all of which are BPA-free, are recommended. (The bottom will be stamped with
HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene) and coded with the recycle symbol and a “2″ inside.)
One-, three- and five-gallon water containers can be purchased from most outdoor or hardware
stores. Any plastic container that previously held food or beverages such as 2-liter soda bottles or
water also may be used.
Water Container Options: Beware!
Avoid using the following types of containers
Containers that cannot be sealed tightly.
Containers that can break, such as glass bottles.
Containers that have been used for any toxic solid or liquid chemicals (ie. old bleach containers)
Plastic or cardboard bottles, jugs, and containers used for milk or fruit juices.
Water Containers: Storage
For proper water storage:
Label container as "drinking water" & include storage date.
Replace stored water that is not commercially bottled every 6 months.
Commercially bottled water should be rotated ever year.
Keep stored water in a place with a fairly constant cool temperature.
Do not store water containers in direct sunlight. A cool, dark place is best.
Do not store water containers in areas where toxic substances such as gasoline or pesticides are
present.
Do not store on concrete flooring.
If you have space, store some in your freezer.
REMEMBER…if water is…
A) Free of microorganisms.
B) If the container is made of food grade materials.
C) The container is clean and tightly closed.
D) The container is kept from sunlight
...then it will remain safe indefinitely!
Finding Emergency Sources of Water
DO NOT DRINK water that has an unusual odor or color, or that you know or suspect might be
contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals; use a different source of water.
Inside the Home:
Water from your home’s water heater tank. Let heater cool
Melted ice cubes made with water that was not contaminated.
Water from your home’s toilet tank (not from the bowl), if it is clear & has not been chemically
treated with toilet cleaners such as those that change the color of the water.
Liquid from canned fruit & vegetables.
NOTE
Listen to reports from local officials for advice on water precautions in your home. It may be
necessary to shut off the main water valve (DO YOU KNOW WHERE IT IS?) to your home to
prevent contaminants from entering your piping system.
Outside the Home:
Rainwater
Streams, rivers, and other moving bodies of water
Ponds and lakes
Natural springs
NOTE
Water from sources outside the home must be treated. DO NOT DRINK water that has an
unusual odor or color, or that you know or suspect might be contaminated with fuel or toxic
chemicals; use a different source of water. DO NOT DRINK FLOOD WATER.
What About Swimming Pool Water?
The greatest potential water source – swimming pools - has been deemed UNACCEPTABLE to
drink however it may be used gray water for hygiene, laundry, etc..
It can, however, be treated as outlined below or with something similar to the Seychelle Pure
Water Pump Advanced. The Seychelle Pure Water Pump Advanced removes up to 99.99% of
contaminants & pollutants found in fresh water supplies. It’s filtration system is so effective that
it qualifies as a water purifier. Under $40.
Types of Water Contaminants
Particulate: Suspended solids in water provide micro-organisms with nourishment & promote
their growth. Though normally harmless, they may prevent effective water sanitizing. For this
reason, the application of chemical disinfectants is limited to clear water. Turbid water must be
filtered before treatment.
Biological: Drinking water contains three groups of pathogenic micro-organisms.
Viruses: ~0.02 - 0.2 microns
Hepatitis A, Norwalk Virus, Rotavirus, Poliovirus
Bacteria: 0.2 - 5 microns
E-coli, Salmonella, Cholera
Protozoans/Amoeobae: 1 - 15 microns
Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium
Source: Center for Disease Control
Making Water Safe
Water often can be made safe to drink by a COMBINATION of PURIFICATION and FILTRATION.
IMPORTANT
Water contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals will not be made safe by boiling or
disinfection. Use a different source of water if you know or suspect that water might be
contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals.
PreFilter Particulate Contamination
Cloudy or turbid water can interfere with other water sanitizing techniques.
If the water is cloudy:
Filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter OR allow it to settle.
OR use a water filtration device
Draw off the clear water.
Water Purification Methods
The time to store water is NOW. The water that we take for
granted becomes absolutely critical in an emergency.
Water is not an item you can afford to overlook in
your preparedness program.
Boiling: Boil 20 minutes; let stand 30 minutes
Drawbacks

Requires fuel & equipment

Long cool down time

Water loss through evaporation

Particulate substance remains

Stale taste
Chemical Treatments:
Iodine: very effective against viruses, bacteria, and protozoa with the
exception of cryptosporidium & giardia
Drawbacks

Pregnant women & those with thyroid problems SHOULD NOT USE

Colder water needs longer disinfecting time

Purification dosage varies

Should not be used regularly for more than 3 months

Particulate substance remains

Bad after taste…can be improved by adding Vitamin C or sugar-based drink
mixes
Unscented Chlorine Bleach: Add 8 drops of bleach per gallon of water;
stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach
odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.
Drawbacks

Too much can have VERY detrimental effects, even death

Bleach older than 6 months may not be potent enough to disinfect

Particulate substance remains

Should be added when you USE water, not when you store it
Other Treatments:
Ultraviolet Light: SteriPEN has been shown to destroy in excess of
99.9999% of bacteria, 99.99% of viruses and 99.9% protozoa. UV lighting
adds no chemicals to change water’s taste.
Drawbacks

Does not neutralize any poisons or other chemicals

Particulate substance remains & can impede effectiveness of UV lights
Water Filtration: Strains out impurities from water source the size of the
filter pore. Durability of the filtering element is important to the filter’s
longevity and ability to perform.
Ceramic Element: smallest pore size; filters only free floating
particulates and microorganisms.
Drawbacks
o Does not remove chemicals, poor tastes, odors, or pollutants
Glass Fiber/Compressed Surgical Paper Element: remove only
particulates and microorganisms
Drawbacks
o Does not help much with pollutants
o long-term storage difficult because can develop mold and mildew
o hard to clean
Hard-block Carbon Elements: reduce chemical quantities, poor taste,
odors and many pollutants
Drawbacks
o Only mildly effective filtering out particulates and microorganisms
o Mostly used as a second or third stage filter in home and portable water use
o Seldom used as a stand-alone filtering unit
Solar Still: Capable of distilling almost any tainted water, even seawater
Drawbacks

Extremely slow

Limited to small amounts of water that can be collected daily