Water is important for living. The water in human bodies is used to control body temperature and helps to maintain normal metabolic processes. Circulate oxygen and pass the nutrients.
During disasters or emergencies, water pipes can be damaged, and public and private sources of water can be unavailable; you may need to find alternate drinking water until the regular supply is back again. In this blog, you will learn about other water sources and the types of water storage.
How Much Water You Need?
The emergency water damage restoration depends on your level of body activity and weather conditions. However, the following guidelines to prepare water before disaster are as follows:
- One gallon of water per person per day. Those who live in hot weather, pregnant or sick, should store a little more water.
- Store backup water for a minimum of three days. A major disaster will disrupt water supplies for longer.
Alternate Drinking Water Source
There are various water sources within your homes to use in emergency situations:
- Bottled water in factory-sealed containers
- Melted ice cubes can be used before the emergency occurs. Try not to freeze the stored water as freezing does not kill bacteria.
- Rainwater is collected in a clean bowl or container, and boil the water before use.
- Water in the toilet tanks can be used; it may not sound pleasant, but that water is still clean and drinkable.
- Pool water is not recommended as it may contain chemicals.
Methods of Purifying Water
There are several ways to purify water that may have been full of bacteria and other microorganisms.
1. Boiling Water:
Boiling is the verified method to kill diseases and bacteria in water. A good boil of water for a minimum of two to three minutes can kill viruses and other parasites.
2. Purification Tablets:
These disinfectants are easily available in the stores. It is most effective against viruses and bacteria but may not kill parasites, so filtering for parasites may still be needed. You can use household liquid chlorine bleach, e.g., in 1 liter of water, add 2 drops of bleach.
3. Ultraviolet Treatment
It is a popular method that uses UV rays to disinfect bacteria in water.
4. Filtration
It removes germs by physically letting water into the filter. It won’t remove germs alone; you may use chemicals or boil filtered water.
5. Reverse Osmosis
A method that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles from water.
Limitation
It is essential to remember that treating water in a disaster through boiling, disinfection, and some filters will not remove most salts, chemicals, or heavy metals.
Therefore, it is crucial to have a good supply of commercially bottled water or water in storage containers to ensure a sufficient and easily accessible source of water.
Conclusion
Storing emergency water is crucial for survival during unexpected events and disasters. By taking these steps, individuals can safeguard their health and well-being during tragedies by staying prepared, safe, and healthy.
