Clean drinking water is critical for survivors during emergencies like hurricanes. A lack of drinking water and functioning sewage systems can spread diseases easily among shelter populations. Storing emergency water is important - plastic containers that are cleaned, filled from the tap, and stored can provide safe drinking water. Boiling water for 1 minute or using chlorine drops can help disinfect water if purification isn't possible. Having an adequate supply of water stored at home is recommended for weather emergencies.

1. Drinking Water
in Emergencies
Matt Stevenson, CPP

2. Water in Disaster, a Critical Need
One of the most critical needs for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina*
was clean drinking water. According to Kellogg Schwab, PhD, co-director
of the Center for Water and Health at the Bloomberg School of Public
Health, survivors in many areas face a double threat from a lack of
drinking water and sewage treatment.
Without electricity, water pumps and waste water treatment plants
cannot function. To make matters worse, flood waters can overload the
sewage system contaminating flooded areas.
Schwab says a lack of drinking water, poor sanitation and the close
quarters offered in many emergencies shelters create ripe conditions
for spreading many communicable diseases, such as cholera, E. coli and
Noro viruses. “It does not take many microbes or sick people to spread
disease, particularly when they are living together in a shelter,” says
Schwab.
Source; John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
* Hurricane Katrina 2005; 1,836 fatalities,

3. Bottling your own Water is
Safe and Easy
This hurricane season, invest in plastic water containers for your family instead
of buying bottled water. Plastic water containers — the kind used for
camping and other outdoor activities — are available in a variety of sizes, from
4-10 gallons or more.
Some are even collapsible to fold easily for storage. They can be purchased at
sporting goods stores and are built to last for years of use. Calculate about one
gallon per person, per day. Be sure to include enough water for your pets as well.
Don’t fill your containers up in advance and store them; the water can get stale.
Wait until a hurricane warning has been posted for your area, clean and rinse
the container, then fill it with fresh water from your tap.
Source; Miami-Dade County Official Hurricane Guide

4. Water Storage Tips
Store water in plastic containers such as plastic as soft
Drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or
break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.
A normally active person needs to drink at least 2 quarts of
water each day. Hot environments and intense physical
activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers
and ill people will need more.
 Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for
drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation)
 Keep at least a three day supply of water for each
person in your household.
Source; Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit;
FEMA , American Red Cross

5. Emergency Situation
Disinfecting Dinking Water
When boiling off water for 1 minute is not possible in an emergency situation, you can
disinfect your drinking water with Clorox® Regular-Bleach as follows:
1. Remove suspended particles by filtering or letting particles settle to
the bottom.
2. Pour off clear water into a clean container.
3. Add 8 drops of Clorox® Regular-Bleach (not scented or Clorox® Plus®
bleaches) to one gallon of water (2 drops to 1 quart). For cloudy
water, use 16 drops per gallon of water (4drops to 1 quart).
4. Allow the treated water to stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a
slight bleach odor. If not, repeat and wait another 15 minutes. The
treated water can then be made palatable by pouring it between
clean containers several times.
Source; www.Clorox.com

6. 5 Gallon Fold-A-Carrier
Collapsible Water Storage
Container collapsible plastic container
conveniently carries or stores
water. On/off spigot locks closed
to avoid messy spills, strong
plastic handle folds flat. 5 gal. -10"
cube when full, Large neck
opening lets you add ice cubes,
FDA, food approved plastic is
flexible even in extreme cold,
made of Low Density Polyethylene
Source; campingcomfortably.com.

7. Emergency Drinking
Water Storage
The waterBOB® is a water containment
system that holds up to 100 gallons of
fresh drinking water in any standard
bathtub in the event of an emergency.
Price of only $19.95 + $4.95 Shipping
www.waterbob.com/

8. Sanitizing Water
Boiling can be used as a
pathogen reduction method
that should kill all pathogens.
Water should be brought to
a rolling boil for 1 minute. At
altitudes greater than 6,562
feet (greater than 2000
meters), you should boil
water for 3 minutes.
Source; Center for Disease Control

9. Reusable Emergency
Water Storage Unit
Emergency preparedness includes
safe drinking water this unit stores
65 gallons of water, a 14 day
supply for a family of four. This unit
sells for $58.95 and may be
purchased at
safehomeproducts.com.
This unit is reusable as it comes
with 3 liners. Comes with a
pump to remove water.

10. Emergency Water Purification
Medentech works with key international NGOs to reduce suffering during
human and Natural disasters. With 25 years experience in responding
To disasters around the world Medentech is well positioned in helping with
any crisis. Medentech has stock of water purification tablets on hand in 20
Countries around the world to aid speedy distribution when a disaster
strikes. For further information contact Michael Gately on +353 53 9117900
or email info@medentech.com 24 hour – 7 day – 365 days emergency
direct availability via our emergency system. Crisis readiness .
We hold 20+ million tablets in stock at all times for emergency situations
both at our Wexford factory and at Butyl Products Ltd. UK Warehouse link:
www.butylproducts.co.uk Boiling can be used as a pathogen reduction
method that should kill all pathogens.