You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should
store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person
needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.
Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into
account:
Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity,
diet, and climate.
Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
A medical emergency might require additional water.
To prepare safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is
recommended you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled water in its
original container and do not open it until you need to use it.
It is recommended you purchase food-grade water storage containers from
surplus or camping supplies stores to use for water storage. Before filling with
water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water, and
rinse completely so there is no residual soap. Follow directions below on
filling the container with water.
If you choose to use your own storage containers, choose two-liter plastic
soft drink bottles – not plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk
or fruit juice in them. Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be adequately
removed from these containers and provide an environment for bacterial growth
when water is stored in them. Cardboard containers also leak easily and are not
designed for long-term storage of liquids. Also, do not use glass containers,
because they can break and are heavy.
If storing water in plastic soda bottles, follow these
steps
Thoroughly clean the bottles with dishwashing soap and water,
and rinse completely so there is no residual soap.Sanitize the bottles by adding
a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a
quart of water. Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it touches
all surfaces. After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing
solution with clean water.
Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water. If the tap water has been
commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine, you do not need to add
anything else to the water to keep it clean. If the water you are using comes
from a well or water source that is not treated with chlorine, add two drops of
non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to the water.Tightly close the
container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap by
touching the inside of it with your finger. Place a date on the outside of the
container so that you know when you filled it. Store in a cool, dark
place.Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled
water.
