You cannot prevent a natural calamity. Period! However, you can take steps to deal with the after-effects and prevent any sort of shortage or structural damage. More often, a serious earthquake or cyclone renders several homes with a water and power shortage. Under such circumstances, it’s difficult to carry on the basic activities which catalyze other health problems. If your area is under threat of an impending natural calamity, here’s an article expounding how to store water and help you deal with water shortage effectively. 

How to Store Water and How Much Water do you Need?

This is the first question that you need to ask yourself whenever you start preparing for storing water. Generally, one person needs one gallon of water each day which is equally distributed for their drinking and hygienic requirements. However, this ratio can change depending upon different people and different circumstances. 

Once you’ve measured the quantity of water you might need, the next thing that you analyze is the number of days for which you will have to store the water. Now, this depends upon the intensity of the disaster and also how quick are the restoration of governmental activities that enhance in remedying the situation.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), everyone should store enough water that can last up to three days. However, if possible, you should always try to store more water than just three days, especially when the intensity of the disaster is more. 

How to Store Water Based on the Duration?

Here is a complete guide to store water:

1. Two-week water storage possibilities

• Empty soda bottles: When you’re running short on money during an emergency or wish to invest more money for groceries, you can just store water in empty soda bottles from the tap. Remember, to filter the water from the tap if possible and also to clean the bottle thoroughly.
• Store water bottles: If you’re wondering how to store the water bottles then you need to know that buying water bottles from your grocery store is the best way to store water for a short duration for you and your family. It might be expensive, but it’s also the easiest. With these pre-packaged water bottles, you won’t have to worry about hygiene as they are clean and portable.
• Water jugs: A 6-gallon water jug is an extremely effective way to store maximum water, as they are sturdy and made from food-grade plastic. This plastic prevents light and thus ceases any sort of algae growth.

2. A month or more water storage possibilities 

• Rain barrels: Installing some rain barrels in your system should be a healthy addition to your tap water storage. For this, you need to install a rain barrel at the bottom of the water channel, so whenever it rains, the water gets stored in the rain barrel. This often is recognized by the name of rainwater harvesting, which is an extremely eco-friendly way of storing water.

However, due to its constant outdoor exposure, you might want to filter it regularly and sanitize it before consuming it. It’s more prudent to use that water for hygienic purposes than for drinking. In addition, it’s recommended to check with the terms and conditions of your local corporation concerning water storage, especially if your region is drought-prone. Drought-prone areas follow certain regulations and water storage up to some extent requires permission. 

• Water barrels: Storing 55-gallon water barrels for a severe disaster is also another best way to store water apart from storing water bottles. Made from food-grade plastic, these sturdy water barrels have bungs on the top which help in sealing them extremely tightly. This helps in preventing any sort of water contamination. What’s more, the plastic is UV-resistant and BPA-free. Just invest in one water barrel, and you don’t have to worry about water shortage for the next 50 days if you’re living in one.

Be that as it may, before investing in a water barrel, it is prudent to measure the space of your house. Sometimes, if you’re living in a small apartment, it’s impossible to store a 55-gallon water barrel. In addition to that, you also have to be mindful of the price of each barrel. They are quite expensive. Not only that, but they also demand a speciality drinking water hose and a pump for filling it. Unlike other options, they are not portable, which is something that you have to think about. 

• Water cistern system: Larger than rain barrels and water barrels, water cisterns are the ultimate resort for water storage, especially for a longer duration. However, a water cistern system unlike water barrels is facilitated to capture rainwater. It has the potential of holding 1500 gallons to 13000 gallons of water.

When the disaster is extremely severe and you’re locked inside your house, the water cistern system is your last option. However, you will need space for the water tank and you’ll also have to invest in developing a system of pipes that can enhance the collection of rainwater. The only downfall of this system is that the tanks aren’t food-friendly. It implies that you’ll have to filter your water before consuming it. Using it for more hygienic purposes is more convenient. 

Filtering water before consuming it

Once you start storing water successfully by following any of the above-mentioned options,    you need to filter and purify it, especially if you’re using it for drinking purposes and the water stored is collected from streams or lakes. For the filtering process, you can use any of the following options: 

• Purification tablets: For purification, you can use iodine and sodium chlorite tablets.
• Water filter: A water filter, although not portable, is an extremely effective way to purify water thoroughly.
• Stove: Using the fuel and a stove to boil water is a traditional yet effective way to eliminate dirt and germs from your water. However, it’s still prudent to avoid drinking it and just use it for hygienic purposes.

These are some of the ways to store water during emergencies. Hope you’ve got the answer on how to store water and it’s beneficial the next time you need help!

Related: 7 Summer Detox Water Recipes To Help In Weight Loss