Emergency Water Supply

I have a bit of an interest in emergency preparedness. Occasionally I will search online for information about being prepared and resources to have on hand and also analyze where we are at as a family. I am FAR from having the supplies I'd like to have in my home...but we do have 72 hour kits, decent water supply, and a start to food storage. As parents, it is our duty to look after our family in all circumstances...including emergencies.

Yesterday I was viewing some articles & videos and was reminded of the importance of water storage. The story I watched was about a water main break in Boston. Within a few hours the water was contaminated and people couldn't use it. The water supply in stores was cleared out almost instantly, and even the water brought in by the national guard was not enough. Although the emergency only lasted 3 days, it was an awakening to how quickly we can lose those things we take for granted. Water is such an essential item, we need to make sure we have enough in our home to take care of our family for at least 3 days, and ideally 2 weeks.

So, over the last 6 years I've come up with a water system that works for me and that I am content with. This is not the only way to store water...and I wouldn't even say it is the best way...but it is doable....and I am happy with it.

For drinking water, I purchase 18L jugs of water. (The kind that go in Water Coolers)
For washing/cleaning water, I rinse out my 2L pop bottles, and fill them with tap water. Many of these I store in our basement freezer which is half empty to help increase the shelf life of the water and to also make my freezer more efficient.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

#1. How long is the shelf life of water?
Unfortunately, the shelf life of water in plastic bottles is only 6 months to a year. This is why we regularly drink and rotate our jugs of water. Admittedly, for our washing/cleaning water I have not rotated it and have some bottles that are about 2 years old.

#2. How much water do I have to store?
The recommended amount is 2 gallons/person/day. Therefore a 2 week supply of water is 14 gallons/person. (This is for drinking, cooking & washing.) 14 gallons = 53 Liters/person. This is about 3 - 18L jugs/person.

#3. Where do I store my water?
It is best to store water in a dry, dark, cool location. It is VERY important you do not store you water jugs directly on a cement floor, or near any type of fumes or chemicals as the plastic absorbs the smell and taste of these things.

Imagine for a moment that you did not have access to water for 3 days. How would your family do? Would you be one of the panicked people in the store fighting for water? Or would you be at home calm and relieved that your family is provided for?

If you don't have any water in storage, I recommend staring out by just buying a jug of water. When you go back to refill it...buy a second one. Figure out a system that works for you and just start doing it! And if you have a water supply system that works for you...I'd love to hear about it! (For those of you who have a Super Tanker...then you DO have the ideal way to store water!)