Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Maintain Water Storage At Home

Store bottled water for emergencies.


Home water storage is a basic component of emergency preparedness. The average adult drinks 2 quarts of water each day. If local water supplies are affected by drought, natural disaster or contamination, home water storage can provide continued access to clean, drinkable water for families to help prevent dehydration and illness. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends storing at least 14 gallons of water per person for a two-week supply of water. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Purchase commercially bottled water for easy, safe home storage. Alternatively, you can use tap water for storage in appropriate containers.


2. Purchase food-grade plastic containers to store your own water. These are available in many sizes, from small bottles to large storage drums. Recycle 2-liter soda bottles for water storage. Wash containers thoroughly with soap and water before storing water in them.


3. Fill food-grade containers with clean water. Municipal tap water that has already been treated is safe to store without further treatment. Untreated water, such as water from a private well, requires purification. Add 2 drops of unscented chlorine bleach to each gallon of untreated water. Tighten the caps and label each container with the date it was filled.


4. Store water in a cool, dark space. Empty and refill the containers every six months to maintain freshness. Commercially bottled water doesn't require rotation.







Tags: bottled water, water storage