When disaster strikes, there are some items that a person or family can’t live without. While the human body can go several weeks without food, it succumbs to death after only a few days without water. Water storage for preppers is vital if some disaster should happen.
It doesn’t matter if the disaster is caused by Mother Nature or a foreign country. Water storage isn’t as simple as having a few jugs of water in the basement. We’ll explain the importance of water storage and how water is properly stored.
Follow these steps and you’ll be ready for when disaster inevitably strikes.
1. How Much Water Should Your Store?
Regardless of how you store your water, you need to know how much to have on hand. The general rule is that you need one gallon of water per person per day. This includes half a gallon for drinking and half a gallon for hygiene.
This is just for our average person. If you have anyone that is sick, pregnant or is a child, then they’ll need extra water. You also need extra water if you live in a hot climate.
Your family isn’t the only one that needs water too. If you have pets, then save a gallon of water per day for them as well.
At the very minimum, you need three days’ worth of water stored. This if you expect only a small disruption in life from the emergency. If the emergency is a tornado that knocked out power and other utilities for a couple of days this is fine.
If the disaster is something longer such as a disruption in economic or political power, then two weeks’ worth of water is recommended.
2. Methods of Water Storage for Preppers
You know how much water you need, but how are you going to store it? There are several options available. The easiest method is to use bottled water.
Bottled water is safe, doesn’t expire quickly and is easily stored. Unfortunately, it’s not very practical outside of drinking or handwashing. No one wants to wash their hair or take a bath by emptying water bottles.
A water tank is a great choice because it holds a large amount of water. It has a spigot that you can use to fill buckets, baths, cups, etc. so you don’t have to worry about small portions.
You must worry about how much water you’re using and keep track. Most plastic tanks have markings to show how much water is left inside.
For long-term water supply, you can have rain barrels that collect water when it rains. It may not be the cleanest water, so use water purification methods to make sure it’s free of bacteria and other contaminants.
3. Does Water Go Bad?
We talked about how bottled water can last a long time without going bad. If the seal to the water bottle isn’t broken, it can last for years. It may not taste the best after a year, but it’s still safely drinkable.
Many commercial bottled water has an expiration date that lets you know how long it’s good. Many plastic water bottles contain a chemical called BPA, which can leach into the water.
Water stored in containers that aren’t airtight can go bad after about six months. It may not, it could be completely fine, but it’s not something you want to risk.
When you store water, make sure it’s in a place that dry, cool and free from sunlight. These can all impact water problems.
If bacteria get into the water, then letting it sit for a long time gives them plenty of time to grow and multiply. The tank may also begin to grow algae.
A change in taste may not mean the water is bad. It could be caused by a lack of fresh oxygen in the tank, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
4. Rotate Your Water
If you have a water tank, then you need to check the water every six months. If you look at the water and it’s cloudy, smells bad or you can visibly see algae growing, then you’ll need to replace it. If not, then you can wait another six months.
Many people don’t like the idea of wasting water but don’t risk your health or the health of your family by drinking contaminated water. The last thing you need during a long-term disaster is dysentery.
If you want to keep your water clean longer, then sterilize the container and treat the water with a purifier before putting it in the container.
Prepper water storage is the single most important thing you can do for a disaster. Don’t rink your family’s health by forgetting to routinely check the water storage tank.
It’s good to both have a supply of bottled water and a storage tank.
5. Short-Term Water Storage Solution
If a disaster catches you off guard and you don’t have any water stored in your home, then you can fill p any container you have as well as the bathtub with water.
This is a short-term solution because the water is open to the air and won’t last long, but it’s better than nothing.
Before filling the containers, you should determine if the water supply was contaminated. Disasters can cause problems with wells, water towers, and water supplies. If you think its safe, then this can keep your hydrated until help arrives.
6. Invest in Water Purifiers
We talked about the importance of keeping the water clean. There are many types of water purifiers on the market from those that connect to the main house water supply to water purification tablets.
If you use any water from the main water supply or from a water tank, then run it through a purifier before drinking or cooking with it. It’s just one more step to keep your family safe.
7. Too Much Is Better Than Too Little
We talked about how much water you need to store per person, but it’s always a good idea to overestimate. You might have someone get sick and need extra water. You may need it to cook with or make food.
You never really know how much water you’ll need until it happens. It’s a better idea to have much water than not enough.
Water Storage Is Important
We can’t emphasize enough that water supplies during a disaster are the most important thing you can do. Fresh and clean water can save your life and keep you healthy. Water storage for preppers, whether with a storage tank or with bottles, improves your odds of survival.
If you want to learn more about water storage during emergencies, then please explore our site.
