Emergency Water
Directet
Prepared by Max
Gyllenskog, MPH, LEHS, DAAS, CDR,
US Public Health
Service (Ret)
mgyllenskog6@gmail.com
Three tier water
storage system
1. GRAB AND RUN-
store water in small containers that can carried on your person or in a 72 hour
kit.
2. BULK HOME WATER STORAGE- Store enough water for your
family for a month during a short
term disaster.
3. Water Treatment
Method- Have equipment available to treat or filter contaminated water and make
it safe to drink.
Treatment
-Chlorine
dioxide kills or inactivates the microorganisms
-Coconut
Carbon removes the excess chlorine and associated taste and odor.
-Micro
filtration with cyst removal capability is very important for removing
Cryptosporidium and
Giardia in surface water such as lakes and streams.
Prepare an
emergency supply
-Storing
2 gallons of water per day for each person and each pet. (You may need more for hot climates, pregnant women, sick people)
-Store
at least a two week supply for each person or pet: 28 gallons minimum
-Store
chlorine dioxide or 5.25% unscented liquid household chlorine bleach
(rotated annually) to disinfect you water.
Water
Containers
(Only
use commercial food-grade water storage containers)
BEFORE FILLING
1) Wash
the storage container with dishwashing soap and water rinse completely.
2) Sanitize
the container by adding a solution made by mixing 1 tsp. of unscented liquid
chlorine bleach per quart
of water or 1 cup bleach in 5 gallons of water for large containers.
3) Cover
the container and shake it well so that the sanitizing bleach solution touches
all inside surfaces of the container.
4) Wait
at least 30 seconds then pour the sanitizing solution out of the container.
5) Let the
empty sanitized container air-dry before use OR rinse the empty container with
clean, safe water that
already is available.
6)
Then- Fill the container with clean or treated water using a food quality hose
which has been protected
from contamination.
Avoid
Containers
that cannot be sealed tightly
Containers
that can break
Second-hand
containers that have had chemicals (i.e. bleach containers)
Second-hand
plastic, cardboard, jugs and containers previously used to store milk or fruit juice.
Proper Storage
Label as drinking water with
date
Keep
in fairly cool and constant temperature
Do
not store in direct sunlight
Do
not store in areas with toxic substances such as gasoline or pesticides
Add
a barrier between containers and concrete floor
Treatment
Adding
chlorine dioxide as the water is filling the container will assure
bacteriological safety throughout
storage process.
How long can
water be stored?
Some
sources say every 6 months. If the
correct conditions are met water can be stored 5
Years
or longer
-
A good/clean water container is used
-
A clean contaminant free filling process is used
-
A tight seal is maintained
-
High quality treated water or added treatment is
used at the time of filling
-
The container is maintained tightly closed until
use.
Filtration
after Storage
Filter
with a good quality carbon filter before drinking will remove chemicals
producing better tasting and healthier water.
Liquid Bleach
Dosage Chart
Treating
water with a 5-6 percent liquid chlorine bleach solution
Volume of water to be treated
|
Treating clear (possibly contaminated) water:
Bleach solution to add:
|
Treating cloudy, very cold or surface water:
Bleach solution to add
|
1 quart/ 1 liter
|
3 drops
|
5 drops
|
½ gallon/ 2 quarts/ 2 liters
|
5 drops
|
10 drops
|
1 gallon
5 gallons
|
10 drops
½ teaspoon
|
20 drops
1 teaspoon
|
10 gallons
|
1 teaspoon
|
2 teaspoon
|
50 gallons
|
½ ounce (1 Clorox bottle capful)
|
1 ounce (2 Clorox bottle capfuls)
|
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