The Best Way to Save Emergency Water

People can live without many things, but clean water is not one of them. And while you may have a few jugs of water tucked away in your closet or basement for emergencies, is that enough to feed all your family members? And is it safe to drink? Here’s what you need to know about storing an emergency supply of water.

How much emergency water should be kept at home?

It’s one thing to stock up on water when the forecast indicates severe weather that could lead to flooding, damage to infrastructure, or other emergencies. What about the rest of the time?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of storing a supply of water for drinking and sanitation for at least three days, allocating at least one gallon of water per person per day, but even more for pregnant or pregnant women. sick. Households with pets and people living in hot climates should also stock up on extra water.

Keep in mind that three days is the minimum: the CDC recommends that households store a two-week supply of water if possible.

How to store emergency water

Now let’s talk about how and where to store emergency water safely. Store-bought unopened bottled water is the safest and most reliable source of water in an emergency, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, it is important to pay attention to the expiration dates of water bottles or crates and replace them if necessary.

You can also store your own pure water. This will require an additional step of sterilizing the containers before filling them with water (see CDC instructions for this).

Also, be sure to use food-grade water storage containers and label each one as “drinking water” with the date (including year) you filled it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that in order for water to be as safe as possible to drink, handmade bottled water must be replaced every six months.

As for the storage location, it is best to choose a location that is protected from direct sunlight and any toxic substances (such as gasoline or pesticides), with temperatures between 50 and 70°F.