In a disaster, water supplies may be cut off or contaminated. Store enough water for everyone in your family to last for at least three days. Store three litres of water, per person, per day. This amount will be adequate for general drinking purposes. Nine litres per person per day will give you enough to cook and for limited personal hygiene. Do not forget to plan for your pets.
Storing tap water
Store water in food-grade plastic containers, such as clean 2-litre soft drink bottles. Heavy duty, reusable plastic water containers are also available at sporting goods stores. Replace water at least once every six months (eg at daylight saving changeover times).
Storing commercially bottled spring or drinking water
- Keep water in its original container.
- Don't put a bottle back into storage once it has been opened.
- Label bottles with their replacement date and store in a cool, dark place.
- Replace water at least once every six months (eg at daylight saving changeover times).
Treating water after a disaster
If you run out of stored drinking water, strain and treat water from your water heater or the toilet reservoir tank (except if you use toilet tank cleaners). You cannot drink swimming pool or spa water, but you can use it for flushing toilets or washing.
Treatment process
Begin by straining any large particles of dirt by pouring the water through a couple of layers of paper towels or clean cloth. Next, purify the water using one of the following methods:
- boil - bring to a rolling boil and maintain for 3-5 minutes. To improve the taste, pour it back and forth between two clean containers to add oxygen back
- disinfect - if the water is clear, add 2-3 drops of bleach per litre. If it is cloudy, add 4-5. Shake or stir, then let stand 30 minutes. A slight chlorine taste and smell is normal.