Emergency Water Supply – 1 Person for 3 Months

Water is one of the most crucial items to store in an emergency. While humans can survive up to three weeks without food, we can only last about three days without water. After just two days without water, you'll start to feel delirious and severely dehydrated. That’s why water should be a top priority when it comes to emergency preparedness. 

Staying hydrated is crucial, which is why water should be a top priority in your emergency preparedness plan. While storing three months’ worth of water may not be feasible for most people, learning how to purify contaminated water is essential. There are several methods available, and I encourage you to test them out yourself.

REQUIREMENTS

A person’s minimum water requirement is about 1 gallon per day, but 2 gallons is a safer bet since it will also cover your needs for cooking, cleaning, and drinking. It’s recommended to store at least two weeks' worth of water. With the 2-gallon per person estimate, that would be 28 gallons.

If you have pets, be sure to account for their water needs as well. My cats only require a small amount (around a cup for both), but my Golden Retriever, Apollo, needs at least a gallon a day. Click here to get more information on pet preparedness. Pet Emergency Disaster Preparedness - PackFreshUSA 

Why Water Storage is Critical

 

 

Water is essential not only for hydration but also for hygiene. Contaminated water can spread a wide range of diseases, which makes having clean, safe drinking water a necessity. Waterborne illnesses are a major concern, particularly in underdeveloped regions. Some of the most common diseases linked to untreated water include:

• Typhoid Fever
• Cholera
• Giardia
• Dysentery
• E. Coli (Escherichia Coli)
• Hepatitis A

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Tips for Water Storage

When it comes to storing water, there are a few things to keep in mind. Having a variety of water storage methods will ensure you have easy access to clean water when you need it most.

• Bottled Water: Easy to store and safe for immediate use. However, smaller plastic bottles have a limited shelf life.
• Large Containers: Storing water in other types of safe food grade plastic containers, such as those sourced from your local tap water, is another excellent option. Be sure to use food-grade containers to ensure water quality.
• Water Filters: It's always a good idea to have a way to purify water that may be contaminated. There are several affordable and effective water filtration options you can consider.

Let’s break down a few common choices for filtering and purifying water in an emergency.

Cost and Options for Water Filtration

BLEACH

Using bleach to purify water is a simple and effective method in emergency situations where clean drinking water is unavailable. Here are the steps you can follow to safely purify water with bleach:

Materials:

• Regular unscented bleach (such as household bleach containing 5-6% sodium hypochlorite)
• Clean container or bottle
• Measuring spoon or dropper

Steps:

1. Choose the Right Bleach: Use regular, unscented bleach. Do not use bleach that has added fragrances or other chemicals, as these can be harmful to consume.

2. Measure the Bleach:

   • See chart below

3. Mix the Water: Stir the water or shake it in a clean container to mix the bleach thoroughly.

4. Wait: Allow the water to sit for at least 30 minutes. This waiting period allows the bleach to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens.

5. Smell Test: After 30 minutes, the water should have a slight chlorine smell. If you don't smell chlorine, repeat the process and let the water sit for another 15-30 minutes.

6. Optional: If the water still smells of bleach after the waiting period, you can leave it uncovered in a clean container to allow the excess chlorine to evaporate.

7. Drink the Water: Once the chlorine smell is present (or has faded to a safe level), the water should be purified and safe to drink.

Notes:

This method works for most bacterial and viral contamination but may not remove all types of contaminants like heavy metals or certain chemicals.

Bleach purification is effective in emergencies but be sure to use the correct concentration and follow the recommended wait times. See chart below for guidelines. 

Silver - is another great way to purify water. 

Silver is an excellent material for purifying water, with both silver ions and nanoparticles (nano) being the most effective types. However, silver should not be used in isolation. To achieve the best results, silver should be part of a combined purification system, such as those using ceramic and carbon filters. If you're using a purifier, there's no need to add silver yourself—it's already incorporated into the system. If you don’t have a purifier, high-quality colloidal silver or nano silver can be used as an alternative.

How Silver Purifies Water by Killing Bacteria

 Silver purifies water because its ions and nanoparticles reduce the presence of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These silver ions work by preventing bacteria and fungi from replicating their DNA, ultimately eliminating them from the water. However, silver should not be used as the sole method for purifying water. It works best when combined with other techniques, such as carbon or ceramic filtration. If you’re concerned about the safety of your water, read on to discover how silver can be used to purify it.

Using Silver to Purify Water

Silver is commonly found in water purifiers like Berkey & Alexa Pure, other types of filters like ceramic often have the silver as well built into them. Since silver is bacteriostatic, it inhibits the growth of bacteria and algae. In purifiers, it enhances the effectiveness of filters in removing bacteria, trihalomethanes, chlorine, lead, odors, and particulates. Silver ions are often integrated into purification systems used in public water supplies, hospitals, pools, and spas. The water in your home may even contain silver, as it is known to help prevent Legionnaires’ disease. The remarkable ability of silver to stop bacteria and microbes from multiplying has made it a preferred choice for commercial water filters. Typically, silver nanoparticles—ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers—are combined with carbon to combat bacteria. While activated carbon can remove contaminants, it doesn’t kill bacteria. By combining it with silver, bacteria and other impurities are effectively eliminated.

Types of Silver Used to Purify Water

Not all types of silver are used to purify water. The primary forms are silver ions (ionic silver) and silver nanoparticles.

Silver Ions 

Silver ions are derived from silver salts, such as silver chloride or silver nitrate. They can also be chemically produced. Research has shown that silver ions are effective in reducing bacteria.

Silver Nanoparticles or Colloidal Silver

Silver nanoparticles may be found in materials such as resin beads, fiberglass, polyurethane, or ceramics. Both silver ions and nanoparticles function similarly by destroying microbes. They work most effectively when paired with activated carbon filters or ceramic filters. 

Silver and Carbon Filters 

Carbon filters that incorporate silver are commonly found in water filter pitchers, faucet filters, reverse osmosis systems, and refrigerator filters. While activated carbon is good at removing contaminants, it does not kill bacteria. The addition of silver to the carbon filter enables it to also eliminate bacteria, making the water safer to drink. Without silver, carbon filters tend to create a breeding ground for bacteria, as they only remove contaminants without addressing the microbial presence. Therefore, the best way to purify water and ensure it’s safe to drink is to invest in a filter that combines both activated carbon and silver.

Silver and Ceramic Water Filters

Ceramic water filters also use silver nanoparticles. These filters typically feature two components: the upper ceramic portion and a lower plastic part. As water passes through the ceramic section, it filters out chemicals, debris, dirt, and even bacteria. Silver nanoparticles are added to the ceramic filter to enhance its purification ability. The silver kills bacteria and prevents microbes from reproducing. In some cases, silver is added during the manufacturing process, ensuring that the ceramic contains silver nanoparticles when it is finished. If you are using a ceramic water filter for the first time, it’s recommended to discard the first batch of water, as it may contain loose particles. Refill the filter and purify a second batch of water before consuming it.

Methods for Boiling Water

Boiling is one of the simplest and most effective ways to disinfect water in an emergency. It kills harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cloudy Water: If the water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth, coffee filter, or paper towel.
2. Boiling: Bring the water to a rolling boil, and let it boil for at least 1 minute. If you're above 5,000 feet in elevation, boil it for 3 minutes to ensure its fully disinfected.
3. Storage: Let the water cool, then store it in an airtight container to keep it clean. If the water tastes flat, pour it back and forth between containers to reintroduce oxygen.

Boiling water with a sterno from your emergency preparedness supplies

If you're looking for an affordable way to filter water, you can create your own filter using natural materials such as charcoal, sand, and rocks. While this method helps remove larger particles and improves water clarity, it won't eliminate all harmful pathogens, so further purification steps may still be necessary.

Materials Needed:

• Fine and coarse sand (two layers to filter out debris)
• Small and medium-sized rocks (to further filter debris)
• Charcoal (ground from wood to remove some chemicals, odors, and certain pathogens)
• A container like a water bottle or 2-liter bottle
• A base filter (such as a sock, cotton balls, cloth strips, or a coffee filter; in a pinch, grass with a rock to seal the bottom works)

Instructions:

1. Cut the bottom third off a plastic bottle.
2. Place cotton, cloth, or another filter at the bottom of the bottle opening.
3. Layer in fine sand to filter out small debris.
4. Add a layer of charcoal to help remove chemicals, odors, and some pathogens.
5. Layer in coarse sand to filter out larger particles.
6. Add a layer of fine rocks.
7. Finish with a layer of medium or small rocks.
8. Optionally, place another cloth or filter at the top of the rock layer to capture any remaining debris.

Filtering Process:

• Place the bottle with the filter over another container and pour in the water.
• The first batch of water may take a while to filter through, but subsequent water should flow faster.

Important:
This DIY filtration system won't make water fully safe to drink. After filtering, the water should still be boiled or treated with purification tablets or chemicals like bleach to ensure it's safe to consume. Be sure to follow the instructions for any chemical treatments used.

Storing Water in Containers

When storing water, it’s important to use food-grade plastic containers, whether you’re using large 55-gallon drums, 10-gallon, 5-gallon, or smaller containers. Make sure the containers are safe for holding water and avoid using any non-food-grade plastics. Yes, you can store water in Mylar, that is a food-grade container. There are companies that sell emergency water in Mylar bags. If you are storing water in larger bags you will want them in a bucket or bin. Mylar in small size would be great for grab-n-go bags. Mylar Snack Bags (6"x 6") these are perfect size bags for that application.

Cleaning the Container
Before storing water, clean your containers thoroughly. I recommend using a bleach-water solution to remove any dirt or debris. For large 55-gallon drums, I typically add about 5 gallons of water and a cup of bleach. After sealing the lid, roll the drum around to ensure the mixture covers all the surfaces. Let it sit for a few minutes, then roll it again. Once the container is clean, dump out the water and rinse it. If the container looks clean, you can fill it up with water and add a water preservative like bleach or Nano Silver. I prefer using Nano Silver, adding about ¼ cup to a 55-gallon drum.

Why Smaller Containers Are a Good Idea
Smaller water containers, such as 1-gallon and 5-gallon sizes, are more portable and easier to handle. A gallon of water weighs 8.33 pounds, so a full 55-gallon drum can become too heavy to move without the aid of a pump. Smaller containers are easier to lift and carry, so I always keep some around, especially with my grab-and-go bags for emergency preparedness. I store extra water in 2- Liter. The 2-liter bottles can be stored under beds, behind doors, behind couches, in closets, under sinks. They are small and easy to carry. Make sure you label your containers with date you filled them. 

Storing Your Water Containers
To protect your water supply, keep your containers off the concrete by placing them on pallets or wood. If storing outside, make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight. Ideally, store them on the north side of your property. If you're in an area with freezing temperatures, it’s essential to leave about 20% of the container empty to allow room for water expansion as it freezes. Treated water should be check every 6 months to a year. Water that has been treated can be stored for up to 5 years.

 

FINAL THOUGHT

By using these water storage and filtration techniques, you'll be well-equipped to maintain a safe and clean water supply during an emergency. Remember, storing water is just as crucial as storing food when preparing for the long term.

 

Happy prepping,

Ola D Griffin

 Long-term Food Storage Expert

Customer Service, Safeguard Brands, Inc. dba PackFreshUSA

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