Here in the Desert Southwest, water for survival is crucial. So the very first item of preparedness we're going to talk about is storing and purifying water.
Recommended Storage Amounts:
Per person, no less than 1/2 Gallon per day for drinking and 1 gallon for hygiene and other uses.
Storing drinking water: Options include - buy bottled water, use 2 liter soda bottles **(not empty milk or fruit drink jugs) or use 5 gallon jugs up to 55 gallon plastic drums to store tap water. Make sure jugs and drums are food grade and thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to use. Store out of the sun in a cool place. Remember to rotate water yearly- pick an easy date to remember!
Storing water for other use: Use empty plastic liquid laundry soap jugs to store non-potable water. The large ones with a spigot are handy. Fill them with water and use them for washing hands or cleaning. (Just make sure to label them Not for Drinking!)
Purifying: You can buy purification filters or tablets, *boil your water, or use liquid bleach (such as Clorox). Make sure to use plain bleach- no fragrances or special additives!
NOTE: When storing bleach be sure to rotate frequently (every 6 months or so) Bleach degrades in a short time and within a year the amounts to sanitize must be doubled.
(double the amounts if water is cloudy)
1 Quart: 2 drops
2 Liter Bottle: 4 drops
1 Gallon: 8 drops
5 Gallons: 1/2 tsp.
6 Gallons: 1/2 tsp. + 8 Drops
15 Gallons: 1 1/2 tsp.
30 Gallons: 3 tsp.
55 Gallons: 5 1/2 tsp.
**milk proteins and fruit sugars can't be adequately removed from these jugs and provide an environment that encourages bacterial growth.
*in an emergency there may not be power, and boiling takes fuel (electric, gas, wood)
