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Emergency Water Storage 101: Why It’s Critical and How to Get Started
Water is the most crucial resource for human survival. When preparing for emergencies, one of the most critical components is having a reliable source of clean water. Water is fundamental to our daily lives for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and sanitation. However, during a disaster, these routine activities can become a significant challenge if access to water is disrupted or contaminated. In this post, we’ll dive into why emergency water storage is vital for emergency preparedness, how much you should store, and debunk common myths surrounding water availability during emergencies.
Why Do You Need to Store Water for Emergencies?
Our access to our water supply can change at a moment’s notice. What was an abundant resource today can quickly become a tragic scarcity if we don’t prepare. Water disruptions can happen for various reasons, and all highlight the importance of preparing a water supply for your household. Here are some scenarios to consider.
Natural Disasters
Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and winter storms can all disrupt water supplies through direct damage to water systems or contamination of the local water source.
Utility Failures
Power outages, water main breaks, or damage to infrastructure can affect water availability even in the absence of a larger disaster.
Contamination Events
Chemical spills, biological contamination, or industrial accidents could render water sources unusable for an extended period, requiring alternative supplies.
Why Storing Water is Essential for Emergency Preparedness
These potential problems make having a stored supply of clean water one of the most essential elements of your emergency plan. Preparedness isn’t just about survival. It’s about maintaining a sense of security and control in uncertain times. Knowing you have a reliable water source provides:
Continued Access
Stability: During an emergency, you won’t need to worry about where your next drink will come from.
Increased self-reliance: Storing water ensures you’re not reliant on unpredictable sources or
external systems that may fail during an emergency. This can boost your confidence and ability to handle other aspects
of the emergency.
Psychological Boost
Reduced Stress: During a crisis, storing water can ease some of the immediate panic. You won’t need to rush to the store or scramble to find a last-minute solution.
Peace of Mind: When it comes to protecting your family’s well-being, knowing that you’ve secured one of the most essential resources can offer immense peace of mind.
How Much Water Should You Store for Short-Term Emergencies?
For emergency planning, the focus is on storing enough water for essentials. This does not require the same amount of water you are used to using every day but enough to provide for drinking, cooking, personal hygiene, and cleaning surfaces.
FEMA’s Recommendation
“Store at least one gallon per person per day. Consider storing at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. If you are unable to store this quantity, store as much as you can.”
Calculating Your Water Needs
To determine your total water storage needs: count the number of people in your household – multiply by one gallon per person per day – multiply by the number of days (at least 14 days).
For example, a family of four preparing for a two-week emergency should store 56 gallons of water (4 people × 1 gallon × 14 days).
Once you get this down, you can move on to planning your long-term supply of water!
Don’t forget about pets!
Pets require at least 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. Adjust accordingly based on their activity level and climate.
Building your short-term and long-term water supply
Short-Term Storage
Building a short-term water storage is the first step. The process is straight forward but some suggestions and strategies will help your water last longer. Learn how to build a robust short-term water storage.
Long-Term Storage
Building a long-term water storage program for your family is more involved but easy to do. There is a correct way of doing it and straying from this can result in undrinkable water and no one wants that. Learn how to build a successful long-term water storage.
Conclusion
We can lose access to our clean water supply for many different reasons. Having a safe water supply ready to go if you need it is an invaluable part of emergency preparation. Whether facing a short-term power outage or a longer disaster, having enough water can help you remain self-sufficient, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters: the safety and well-being of your loved ones. For more detailed guides on short-term and long-term water storage, explore our other blog posts to ensure you and your loved ones are well-prepared.
