Storing Water for an Emergency

Spring has sprung and it is the time for crazy weather in Eastern New Mexico.  We need to be prepared for many disasters from fires to severe snow storms.  Spring snow is very wet and often causes power outages.  Do you have your emergency supplies ready?

We can not live very long without water, so be sure to store some.  A three-day supply for one person is 3 gallons of water – one gallon per person per day. Also include an extra one gallon for a medium size pet. That one gallon should last three days, but plan for more or less if your pet is very large or very small.

During an emergency, you should drink at least two quarts (one half gallon/two liters) of water a day. Drink 3-4 quarts (3-4 liters) a day if you are in a hot climate, pregnant, sick, or a child. Some of the water in your emergency water supply will be used for cooking or washing.

If you buy commercially bottled water, it should be replaced once a year. Store your water in a cool, dark place to keep it tasting fresher longer.

If you are going to bottle your own water make sure your containers are clean ans sterile.  If you get your water from a private well, disinfect your tap water before bottling. Place six drops of bleach for each gallon of water, shake well, then let sit for 30 minutes. If you get your water from a municipal water system, there is no need to disinfect tap water before bottling.  Replace your water supply every six months if you bottle your own water.

To sanitize bottles before filling:
(1) Wash containers with dishwashing soap and rinse with water
(2) Sanitize by washing a solution of 1 teaspoon of liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water on all interior surfaces of the container.
(3) Let air dry for at least one minute

Use clear plastic bottles with tight sealing caps. Milk jugs don’t make good water storage containers, they don’t seal well, and water stored in them can sometimes develop a plastic taste. Only use bottles that originally had beverages in them (large plastic soft drink bottles work well).

If you have freezer space, consider freezing part of your water supply. This has the added advantage of keeping food in the freezer cold longer during a power outage.