Water Storage Before
Disaster Strikes
Family Disaster Planning | Disaster Supplies Kit | Food Supplies
Storing Supplies | Water Storage | Your Evacuation Plan
Looking for a Home | Food and Water in an Emergency | Shelter-in-Place
Use directions provided by your local or state public health agency. In the case where your local or state
public health agency does not have information, follow the recommendations below.
What kinds of containers are recommended to store water in?
Make sure the water storage container you plan to use is of food grade quality, such as 2-liter
soda bottles, with tight-fitting screw-cap lids. Milk containers are not recommended because they
do not seal well.
Should water be treated before storing it?
If your local water is treated commercially by a water treatment utility, you do not have to treat
the water before storing it. Treating commercially-treated water with bleach is superfluous and
not necessary. Doing so does not increase storage life. It is important to change and replace
stored water every six months or more frequently.
If your local water is not treated commercially by a water treatment facility, that is, if your water
comes from a public well or other public, non-treated system, follow instructions about water
storage provided by your public health agency or water provider. They may recommend treating
it with a small amount of liquid household bleach. Still, it is important to change and replace
stored water every six months or more frequently.
If your local water comes from a private well or other private source, consult with your local
public health agency about recommendations regarding storage of water. Some water sources
have contaminants (minerals or parasites) that can not be neutralized by treatment with liquid
household chlorine bleach. Only your local public health agency should make recommendations
about whether your local water can be safely stored, for how long, and how to treat it.
Can I use bottled water?
If you plan to use commercially prepared "spring" or "drinking" water, keep the water in its
original sealed container. Change and replace the water at least once a year. Once opened, use it
and do not store it further.
For more information, contact your local Red Cross chapter and ask for the brochure titled, "Food and
Water in an Emergency" (A5055).
For more information, please contact your local Red Cross chapter. Ask for a copy of the
following brochures: “Your Family Disaster Plan” (A4466); “Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit”
(A4463) and “Food and Water in an Emergency” (A5055).
|
