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Top 10 Water Storage Myths vs Facts: Debunking Common Misconceptions for Safe Emergency Preparedness
Water storage is a crucial part of emergency preparedness; however, many myths and misconceptions surround this topic. Misunderstanding how to properly store water can lead to wasted efforts – or worse, unsafe drinking water when you need it most. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common myths about water storage and uncover the facts behind them to ensure you have the right information to keep your water supply safe and reliable.
Water Storage Myths vs Facts
#1 Myth: Water Never Expires
Fact
While it’s true that water never expires, water containers can deteriorate over time. This can lead to contamination or foul smells. Plastic containers, for instance, can leach chemicals into the water, especially if not stored properly.
Solution
It’s recommended to rotate water storage and store it in proper storage conditions.
#2 Myth: Any plastic container is suitable for water storage
Fact
Only food-grade plastics are safe for long-term storage. Non-food-grade plastic containers, such as old milk jugs or detergent bottles, can leach harmful chemicals into the water or degrade over time. Also, disposable bottles aren’t ideal for long-term storage.
Solution
Use food-grade containers specifically designed for water storage. Look for containers labeled as “food-safe” or “food-grade”. These storage containers are made from poly-based plastics, numbered #1, #2, and #4. Most quality containers in the market are made from plastic #2, which is excellent for long-term use. These containers are BPA-free, durable, and won’t leach harmful chemicals.
#3 Myth: Food-grade plastic containers will never leach chemicals
Fact
Even food-grade plastics can degrade over time and cause contamination.
Solution
This is why rotation at the 5-year mark is important.
#4 Myth: Tap water can be stored indefinitely without treatment
Fact
Tap water needs treatment and rotation for long-term storage. You can only store tap water from a reputable municipal system for up to 6 months before rotation is required. If you do not trust your tap water or find contamination, purify the water before you place it in storage.
Solution
If you would like to store clean tap water for the longest storage time possible, which is 5 years, you must first treat it with a water preserver.
#5 Myth: Sealed water containers are always safe
Fact
Proper storage conditions are essential for safe water. Sunlight, heat, and exposure to chemicals can cause plastic containers to degrade, leading to contamination or evaporation. Sunlight can also promote the growth of algae or bacteria in translucent containers.
Solution
Following proper storage protocol will protect your containers.
#6 Myth: Stored water always tastes bad
Fact
Stored water can be safe and taste good with proper care. While stored water can develop a flat taste due to a lack of oxygen, it can still be perfectly safe to drink.
Solution
Aerating the water by pouring it between containers can restore some of the flavor and using activated charcoal filters can further improve taste quality.
#7 Myth: Boiling water for 10 minutes is necessary
Fact
Most harmful pathogens are killed with a short boil. This belief persists from older guidelines meant for extreme contamination scenarios.
Solution
Bring water to a rolling boil: Ensure that the water reaches a vigorous, rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute: Maintain the rolling boil for at least 1 minute (or 3 minutes at higher altitudes). Allow the water to cool naturally.
#8 Myth: Boiling water removes all contaminants
Fact
Boiling kills pathogens but does not remove chemicals. Boiling water is a tried-and-true method for killing harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. However, it does not remove chemical contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, or toxins that might be present in the water. Many assume that boiled water is completely pure, but this method is primarily for biological threats, not chemical ones.
Solution
If you’re concerned about chemical contamination in your water supply, use a high-quality water filter capable of removing chemicals, or consider using distillation, which purifies water by separating chemicals as the water evaporates.
#9 Myth: Rainwater does not need treatment before storage
Fact
Rainwater may contain contaminants that need treatment. Rainwater can collect dust, bacteria, animal droppings, and chemicals from the atmosphere or your roof, making it unsafe to drink or store without treatment.
Solution
If you’re collecting rainwater, be sure to filter out debris using a screen or 5-micron filter. Purify it by boiling, filtration, or adding purification tablets to ensure it’s safe.
#10 Myth: A large roof is needed for effective rainwater harvesting
Fact
Even a small roof can capture significant amounts of water.
Example
With just one inch of rainfall, a roof of 100 square meters can collect over 600 liters of water. This can accumulate to over 13,000 gallons annually depending on local rainfall conditions making rainwater harvesting a serious consideration.
Conclusion
Water storage is a critical aspect of emergency preparedness so it’s essential to separate myth from fact to ensure your water supply remains safe and usable. By understanding correct water storage principles, you can avoid the most common mistakes and have peace of mind knowing that your water is safe and ready when you need it.
Now that you’re armed with the facts, take action today! Evaluate your current water storage setup and make any necessary adjustments. Whether it’s upgrading your containers or revisiting your storage methods, ensuring safe water storage is one of the simplest yet most important steps toward comprehensive emergency preparedness.
