five basic needs: 1) food, 2) WATER, 3) shelter, 4) security, and 5) energy
One gallon. Per person. Per day.
As important as food is, you can only live three to four days without access to clean drinking water. The ‘average’ adult human body is composed of approximately 60% water, the brain 75%. Each day adults must replace about 1/2 gallon of water (approximately 2 1/2 liters). More is needed for cooking and cleaning. Even more is needed during exertion or warm weather.
That is why emergency agencies recommend storing one gallon of water, per person per day, for three days.
Before a disaster strikes, water is an easy thing to acquire and store. It is cheap and available. To get your recommended three-day emergency supply, you can buy commercially bottled water for less than $1 a gallon. Do the math for what is needed for your family, spend the money and put it somewhere safe and you’re done. If you want to fill own: use clean, food-grade, plastic containers. Two liter soda bottles work very well, avoid using milk jugs (they’re not meant for longer storage). If the containers are clean and the water is clean there is no need to add bleach.
For a longer emergency situation there’s only so much water you can store, and access to additional safe drinking water is unreliable. Or what if you’re away from home–obviously there’s only so much you can carry?
But one gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds. For a family of four to have the recommended amount, that’s 12 gallons or 99.6 pounds of water. No big deal if it just sits on your shelf in the basement. But what if we have to go somewhere? But what if we have to walk to get there? We still need water.
There may be water available, how do you ensure ‘clean drinking water’?
There are three common ways of purifying water: boiling, chemicals, and filters. Start by removing suspended particle, straining through a barrier (coffee filter, cheese cloth, even a clean shirt) or letting them settle to the bottom. Then pour that water into a clean container to purify.
Boiling
A regularly asked question is “How long do I boil the water?” This is important because, if we are in a situation to boil water, we may only have a finite amount of fuel available to burn. This question is best answered by explaining that water above 185° F (85° C) will kill all pathogens within a few minutes. So in the time it takes for the water to reach the boiling point (212° F) from 185° F, all pathogens will be killed and the water will be safe to drink. Bottom line: heat to rolling boil, let cool, it’s safe. Boiling is the best, safest, time-tested way to purify water. Done correctly it will work every time.
Chemicals
Chlorine bleach, is the most common household purification product, but not necessarily the most effective (bleach begins to break down within a year). Use household bleach that contains at least 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (do not use scented or color safe). Add 2 drops to a quart/liter (8 per gallon), double if water is cloudy. Purified water should have a slight bleach odor.
Iodine is more effective than bleach and, when stored correctly (out of sunlight), will last for years. It comes in either tablet or liquid form. The unpleasant taste can be countered by adding a Vitamin C powdered drink mix after the water has been treated. In liquid form it comes as Tincture of Iodine (sold in pharmacies), add several drops per quart.
All chemical water purification options require at least 20 minutes for the chemicals to do their job (longer for cold water). Be sure to loosen the cap on your water container and slosh some of the treated water onto the threads of the cap and bottle to eliminate outside contaminates.
Filters
There are many types of commercial water filters available. In preparing for a collapse situation, purchasing a family size, quality filter (with ceramic filters) will provide the best long-term solution.
SODIS
Lastly I wanted to mention solar water disinfection (SODIS). This method disinfects water using only sunlight and clear plastic food grade (PET) containers (2 liter soda bottles work best). Using clean bottles, expose to direct sunlight for at least six hours (or two days under very cloudy conditions) to purify.
(Friday: What I Did This Week To Prep)
I continue to be impressed with your blog and the info you are putting out. Keep up the good work.
I was happy to see the mention of bleach going bad. I’ve read many forum posts where the prepper talks about storing bleach for water purification but never talks about the shelf life. I used to have a link to the “Ask Clorox” site where they talk about the shelf life of bleach when used for drinking water.
If you use iodine crystals for treatment, make sure they are in an airtight environment. If not, the crystals will turn directly to gas. This gas will corrode any metal near it in a very short time.
Thanks. I actually went to the Clorox site to double check my info. As you know, one of the toughest parts about prepping is you have to constantly rotate and be aware of the shelf life. I’ve never used iodine crystals, thanks for that information.
Iodine crystals are what is in the little bottles of Polar Pure water treatment. It is much easier to use that stuff than messing with bleach.
Weight is definitely the big dracwabk here. I couldn’t agree more that stainless steel is a good choice for it’s sturdiness. In addition, you can boil your water right in the stainless steel bottle if circumstances required or pour boiled water directly into it without fear of the heat damaging/melting it or causing the release of any chemicals as in with some plastic water bottles. Coffee filters (cone type) are a lightweight and inexpensive way to Pre-filter cloudy or murky water either by gravity into your purification container or by attaching one to the intake portion (with a rubber band) of your water filter; the latter dramatically extends the life of your water filter cartrige for mere pennies. If you plan on keeping a stove in your bag, I suggest (following my code of double-duty) using a type similar to the Jetboil. They are relatively small and light weight and all components fit nicely into the pot. They are designed to boil water quickly saving both fuel and time. However, for those who are budget or weight conscious, I would consider another option. Purification tablets are a great and lightweight choice, but be sure and read the instructions before you purchase as some may require up to four hours to work. Like in the post on having back ups tou your back ups, I have a few small pouches of five year, shelflife water; you can also use these for wound irrigation if needed (the juice box-type with the push in straw). I also have two water bottle with built in water filters (which I keep empty) and a filter straw. I use the individually, foil wrapped purification tablets because the unused tablets are not exposed when accessing one tablet out of the package as is the case with tablets stored in bottles. I do not carry a Jetboil-type of stove, but I do have a titanium Esbit stove which uses the Esbit dry fuel tabs; ridiculously lightweight and easy to use and store. No mess kit, but a titanium cup for boiling and drinking. I also have plastic bags (every kit should have plastic bags) which you can use to collect rainwater, create a solar still, etc.
Lots of good ideas here. Water is so crucial it’s hard to over-plan it.
excellent advice! I try to keep several filter systems, dry bleach (pool stuff), and bottled water on hand. I always try to warn people how heavy water is, so having a way to purify is easier than storing in many cases. I also tell folks to keep several buckets with handles and jugs on hand in case they are ever in the position to have to haul their water.
My feelings exactly. Especially in the North West we have plenty of water, all that is needed is a way to get it and purify it.
Cool dad! And now you know i read it! 🙂
🙂
Excellent site. Great post. Well done.
Just new to the site. I do want to mention that though boiling will kill microbes (usually, though there are some high temp ones that live next to seafloor vents) it will not remove chemicals from the water so make sure your source is free from pollutants.
Very true point. That’s why run-off type ponds that are in many neighborhoods may be poor sources; lawn chemicals, road oils, and pesticides get washed into them. A moving source of water is always better than a still one.
A good filter (we use a Berkey, but there are several good brands), though still not perfect, will make things that much safer.
And welcome David – glad you found us!
Pingback: Plenty of Water, For Now | TraceMyPreps