Droughts occur periodically over much of the United States. In Pennsylvania, severe droughts have occurred more frequently over the past two decades. During droughts, water supplies often become critically low.

In some cases, whole communities are either without water or have very limited supplies. Water use restrictions are often imposed on the residents of these communities.

Priority is given to water needed for drinking and sanitation, while certain luxury uses of water, such as lawn watering and car washing, are not permitted.

A survey of communities in the Northeast, where water use restrictions had been imposed in the past, showed that although people were willing to save water, in many instances they simply did not know how to do it.

Storing water for an emergency is simple, especially when the water is not contaminated. Standard emergency guidelines suggest that you store one gallon of water per day for each person in your household for at least three-days or up to a two-week period. Generally, a normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts or a 1/2 gallon of water each day.

Keep in mind that you must consider your family members’ needs and habits. You will have to decide the actual amount of water you store for an emergency. Your storage space and individual situation may be such that you should store less or more than the guidelines recommend.

Remember, you might adjust your normal habits to get through the emergency period. In other words, you may stop doing things like washing your car, running small loads of laundry, using paper plates so that you have fewer dishes to wash and so forth.

There are two easy methods for storing water, depending upon your water source. If your water comes from a public water supplier or is disinfected, you can store it in clean soda bottles or milk jugs with screw-on tops.

Thoroughly wash plastic soda bottles or milk jugs with warm, soapy water. Never use hot water because hot water will start the breakdown of the plastic in the bottle. You may end up with a leak in the container, not to mention, you may end up ingesting some of the plastic.

Use containers with screw-on tops. Sanitize the container by putting one teaspoon of household liquid bleach in one gallon of water. Pour this solution in the container and leave it there for two minutes. Pour the sanitizing solution from the container. Rinse the container with potable water.

Fill bottles or jugs directly from the faucet. Cap tightly and label each container with the words “Drinking Water” and the date stored. Store sealed containers in a dark, dry, and cool place.

If after six months you have not used the stored water, empty it from the containers and repeat the steps to clean and sanitize the containers and fill them with fresh water.

If your current water source is contaminated or you do not wish to prepare your own water for storage, purchase bottled water from a store. Bottled water is available in local discount stores or grocery stores. Many local stores have bottled water in one-gallon containers. This water costs about as much as a large container of carbonated beverage or less.

Water from a contaminated source must be disinfected or purified before use. Two methods of purifying water are discussed below. If the contaminated water contains visible particles, let the particles settle to the bottom first, then strain the water through clean cloths or layers of paper towels before disinfecting. The water cannot be disinfected unless particles are removed by filtration first.

Boiling is also a good way to purify water. Bring the water to a rolling boil for 1 to 3 minutes. After the water has cooled, fill clean containers as outlined in the first method. Keep in mind that boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back in it before drinking. To restore the oxygen, pour the water back and forth between two clean containers several times.

Regular household liquid bleach contains a compound that will disinfect water. Do not use bleaches that are scented, colorsafe, or have added cleaners. Use regular liquid bleach and add 16 drops or about 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water.

The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes before use. The water should have a slight bleach odor. If it does not, repeat the dosage and let the water stand for an additional 15 minutes before use. Fill clean containers and store as described in the first method and store your water.

For more information, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Personal Preparation and Storage of Safe Water webpage.

(Written By: Dana Rizzo, Water Resources Educator, Penn State Extension, Westmoreland County, reprinted from Penn State Extension's Watershed Winds newsletter.)

2/4/2013