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Water Storage

Pandemic Flu Emergency Water Supply

Water storage may be your most important pandemic flu preparedness activity! Make sure your family has an emergency water supply in the event that utilities are interrupted during a flu pandemic.

Whether you live in the country and depend on your own well, or you live in town or a city and depend on municipal services, you may have an interruption to your water supply. Even though keeping the utilities going is one of the few pandemic projects that the military will take on—you still run the risk of losing electricity and water.

No matter where you live, emergency water will be your most critical resource. We can live without food for days--but no so without water! In addition, to a large extent, whether you have a good supply of water will determine your quality of life.

Keep the Water Flowing at Home

If you have a well and it uses an electric pump, you have some options. Old fashioned hand pumps are still available in some farm supply stores.

Some farms have alternative power sources such as windmills or solar power. Windmills run about $8000 and they need wind. Solar power is also expensive and still remains relatively inefficient.

Another alternative would be to use a backup generator. Gas generators are less expensive than diesel, but gasoline is hazardous to store because it is very flammable and explosive. Diesel generators are more expensive, can run much longer, and are more reliable. Diesel is easier to store than gasoline.

Emergency Water
How Much Should You Store?

Most sources suggest that you store 2-4 quarts (or 1 gallon of water per person per day). Having lived on a boat, and fully understanding the concepts of conservation, we challenge you to try to live on a gallon of water a day.

Here's a challenge for you. Set aside 1 gallon of water per person for, say, 3-4 days. Use the water in the water that you set aside--for drinking, food preparation (Make pasta, beans, or rice), washing hands, personal care, washing dishes.

No Cheating! No showers or baths, and don't turn on any faucets (place tape over the opening to remind yourself.) No washing clothes in the automatic washer.

We think that you will quickly agree with us that, to be comfortable, you will need at least two gallons per day per person. Also, don't forget to include your pets when you are calculating the amount that you will need.

Decide how long a period you will be planning on, and calculate how many gallons of water you will need in your emergency water supply.

Containers for Water Storage

Save all your plastic milk, vinegar or apple cider containers, etc. While they are smaller than larger emergency water tanks made especially for emergency water supplies, they are very easy to store and move around as you need them!

Another idea for water storage containers is to use plastic gallon jars from restaurants. Make sure they have tight fitting lids. If you call ahead, many restaurants will save the containers (that contained condiments) for you. You will probably have to wash them, although a few thoughtful restaurant owners will have them rinsed for you.

If you purchase water at the grocery, save the containers. You can also use two liter bottles from soft drinks or juice bottles for water storage.

Larger, food quality containers can be obtained in sporting goods stores, Wal-Mart or camping supply stores; or you could use food buckets obtained from bakeries or fast food restaurants. The food buckets are often free or can be obtained for a small charge (usually $1 or less).

How to Safely Store
Your Emergency Water Supply

Store water in a cool dark place. But, also keep in mind that water stored in unheated areas (or in areas that were heated if your heating system fails) may freeze. You may have to move the water into areas that are warmer.

Keep in mind that large quantities of water will be heavy. A gallon of water weighs 7 lb. Count the number of gallons that you will be storing and you do the math! Make sure that your water storage area or shelf that you will be using--will support the weight of the water.

Water is our most critical resource. Don't be caught short! Plan now for water storage for you family, so, if the utilities fail in your country, you will have an emergency water supply to keep your family healthy!