STORING EMERGENCY WATER
Questions and Answers
1. Why should I store water if I'm going to have to treat
it?
Remember, if you
stored water ahead of time, treatment of the water is an extra precaution.
Keeping water in a drinkable condition depends upon many factors: was it stored
properly - was it replaced after 6 months - etc.
In general, this is
really a two-part question.
i. Why
bother storing water
if I have to treat
it anyway?
ii. What
would cause me
to treat it?
i. Why
store? People can live a
day or two wit6out water,
but not much longer. After an
earthquake or other emergency, the water pipes may be broken or otherwise
unavailable through normal means. Lots of people will be buying water from
stores, which will soon run out. Storing enough water for all the members of
your family for three days is important so you have it on hand and are able to immediately
care for your family.
ii. Why
treat pre-stored water?
If water is
stored improperly (in heat, lid not tight, outside air comes
in contact with the water, etc.), or if the freshness/expiration date is
exceeded, the water may become contaminated. As an extra precaution, you may
wish to treat it, if you notice these conditions or if you are unsure of when
you stored or purchased the water.
2. Should I treat
the water that I have stored before I use it?
If you believe it was
not stored properly, or you notice the water is cloudy or has an odd odor, you
would be advised to treat stored water before using
it.
3. Should I treat
tap water or bottled water before I store it?
You do not need to
pre-treat municipal tap water or bottled water before storage.
4. What is the
difference between distilled water and other bottled water?
Distilled water has
been turned into steam and then collected. This process results in water with
fewer contaminants than water that has not been distilled. Distilled water is
recommended for storage for those people who have immuno-compromised health
conditions.
5. We use a well at
my house. Can we store water from the well?
Yes, after you treat
it.
6. We have a well.
Do I still need to store water?
Yes. Your well system
can be damaged or otherwise contaminated during an earthquake or other
emergency. BEFORE storing well water, treat it by
boiling.
7. How long does
water last in storage?
Keeping water safe
for drinking depends upon many factors, including how tight the water container
lid is - the temperature of the area where the
water is stored - the type of container used - what the original source of
water way - the location of where the water is stored - how
the water was originally treated - etc. Because there are
many situations that can affect safe drinking water, your emergency water
supply should be replaced every 6 months. Mark you
calendar for the months of October and April to change your water - these are
earthquake preparedness months in
California and when
the daylight savings time changes. When you do replace your water, water
utilities suggest that you recycle the water by watering your plants. When you store your
water, write the date you stored the water right on the container with an
indelible marker. This will remind you when you purchased or bottled the water.
Sometimes water you buy at the store has an expiration or freshness date -
check the date. As a note, you may be
able to purchase specially designed air-tight pouches or packages of water.
These packages typically have expiration dates on
them, and can last as long as five years. Look under the listing of
"Earthquake Supplies" in your local phone
company directory for
vendors that may have these pouches. Frozen water can last
indefinitely. If you have room in your freezer, you can freeze water. Freezing
water can make your freezer work more efficiently,
and you can but the frozen water in your refrigerator to keep your cold items
fresh while the power is out. When you fill a
clean, food-grade container with tap water to freeze, do not fill the container
to the top, because water expands when frozen. Leave room in
the top of the container for water to expand. Once your water thaws you can
drink it, but do not refreeze it.
Replace frozen water
that thaws.
8. Where do I store
water?
Water quality is best
when water is stored in clean food-grade containers with tightly fitting lids.
The containers should be located in a dark, cool,
accessible location within your home, secure from animals. Examples include
clothes closets, linen closets, under decorative end
tables, etc. Be sure you put your water in a place where you can regularly
check the bottles for leaks. You can also freeze water. (See
previous question for information.)
9. Where can I get
large containers -25 to 50 gallons?
Look in our local
phone company directory under "Earthquake Supplies."
10. Can I use a household container to store my water?
You can use any
clean, food-grade, plastic, re-sealable container or drum. Be sure that it can
seal tightly. Clean the container thoroughly before using. Do not use a
container that held toxic materials.
WATER SOURCES AFTER AN EMERGENCY
1. Can I use water
from my pool?
Pools and hot tubs
are maintained for body contact, not drinking. Water from you pool can be used
for cleaning dishes, clothes, and personal hygiene. It
should not be used for food preparation or drinking because of heavy metals
that accumulate in a pool and the high chlorine dosages
used to keep it healthy for body contact.
2. Where else can I
get water?
As a last resort, you
can use water from your water heater and toilet tank. (Do not use the water
from the toilet bowl.) Water from these sources should be
strained through a cloth before use.
3. Can I really
drink water from the water tank on the back of the toilet?
As long as there are
no drop-in deodorizers or cleaners in your toilet tank, water from the tank may
be drinkable. Use clean cups to bail water out and strain
it through a cloth before use. (Do not use the water from the toilet bowl.)
4. We have a well.
Can we use it after an emergency?
Wells can be damaged
or contaminated during an earthquake or other emergencies. Always treat well
water after an emergency.
TREATING WATER
1. What is a
"boil order"?
A "boil
order" is an emergency alert announcement from the health department that
the water company cannot guarantee the quality of the tap water. The
tap water should be boiled. If you cannot boil the water, you may treat it with
bleach. (For directions, see the next question and answer.)
This order will be announced over the radio and television and printed in the newspaper.
2. How do I treat
water to make it drinkable?
Step 1:
Look at the water in
the bottle, or pour it into a see-through, clean container. If you notice the
water is not clear, strain the water through a clean
handkerchief, paper towel, or cloth.
Step 2:
Treat the water by
either boiling it or adding bleach if you cannot boil it.
Boiling Water
Boil the water for 5
minutes. Let it cool to room temperature before drinking.
Use of Bleach
If you do not have a
way to boil the water, add bleach to each gallon of water. Use only bleach
marketed for industrial purposes, as household bleach now
has less of the disinfecting agent. It is no longer an acceptable product for
treating water during emergencies. Measure the bleach.
For each gallon add:
1/4 measuring teaspoon
or 1 milliter
or 16 drops.
If you use the drop
method, keep a clean, unused medicine dropper available. If you do not have a
dropper to measure with, you can soak part of
a clean paper towel in bleach, lift up the paper towel, and allow 16 drops to
fall into the gallon of water. Mix water and bleach
solution thoroughly by stirring or shaking in a clean, food-grade container.
Let stand for 30 minutes before using. You should notice a
slight chlorine odor or taste. If not, repeat the dosage and let stand for an
additional 15 minutes. If the water still does not have an odor
or taste of chlorine after a second treatment,
DO NOT drink the water.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT BLEACH:
During the summer
Clorox announced its change in formula from the new to the improved product.
The change included increasing the concentration of
sodium hypochlorite (the disinfecting product) from 5.25 % to 6 % as well as
adding additional items such as sodium hydroxide, which has
not been in bleach before. The EPA has not announced its approval of the
product for consumption, as it takes a very long process to
gain that approval.
The following is a
statement from Clorox:
Yes, it is true that
Clorox is changing the concentration of its regular household laundry bleach
from having a 5.25% concentration of Sodium Hypochlorite to 6%, and have added
Sodium Hydroxide to the formula. They are doing this to reduce the size of the
containers and in response to market research. They are introducing
"Clorox Ultra" slowly across the country, starting in the West and
Midwest. It will be on the East Coast by fall. They will completely eliminate
offering the "old" Clorox bleach upon introduction of the
"new" Clorox Ultra. However, Clorox stated that the new formula has
been tested and is safe to use to treat water at home.
3. What is boiling?
Water is boiling when
large bubbles from the bottom of the pan rise quickly to the top and break the
surface of the water.
4. How can I make
treated water taste better?
Pouring treated water
from one container to another will add oxygen to the water and make it taste
better.
5. Can I use my
camping filter instead of boiling or adding bleach?
Boiling is
recommended. There are many types of camping filters for different uses, and
not all filters can eliminate all germs. If you have a camping filter that
protects against Giardia, you may consider using it.
6. Why can't I use
iodine or water purification tablets?
We do recognize that
other treatments are available, but they are not recommended. Iodine and other
chemicals in water purification tablets have been
known to cause additional health problems for people with kidney or liver
problems. And, as many as 8 out of every 100 people in the
United States have a liver or kidney problem - without being aware of it. If
you do use water purification tablets or liquid anyway, follow
the manufacturer's directions.
7. Can I boil water
on my camping stove? What about my barbecue?
You can boil water on
your camping stove or outdoor gas grill if you have enough fuel. Never use
charcoal briquettes inside the house because they can
quickly poison the air in the house. Charcoal briquettes are good for cooking
food, but typically do not generate enough sustained heat
to boil water. Water spillage may also cause ash to get into your water.
Who developed these guidelines?
The material was
developed in 1997 by a joint committee consisting of State Health, the Alameda
and Contra Costa County Health Departments, East Bay
Municipal Utility District, American Red Cross, and the Offices of Emergency
Services from the City of Oakland and the State of California. The information
was gathered from information provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (part of the U.S.
Public Health Service) and are intended for general use. Information about the
change in the Clorox Bleach formula was incorporated in 2001.
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How to handle waste in the event of an earthquake.
The day after the
earthquake a strong aftershock rocks the Quake Ready neighborhood, causing a
sewer line break in the middle of the street. The houses around the break have
untreated sewage seeping into their homes. Some people have lost sewer service
in their homes and are lining toilets with plastic bags to use as
port-o-potties. Over the radio the health Department directs several
neighborhoods, Including quake readies, to cease using their well water because
it may now be contaminated by sewage.
What should neighbors do to deal with sewage in their homes?
If sewage floods the
lower portion of your house and cannot be drained away you should contact the
sewer repair agency in your area or contact the emergency response unit
responsible.
• You can attempt to build a barrier to stop
the flow using sand bags or other materials but remember to wear rubber boots
or galoshes and rubber gloves when working with wastewater.
• Remove your footwear and gloves in that
order before re-entering the house.
• Change your clothes and wash your hands and
face before touching anything in the home. Do not rub your eyes, touch your
face, eat, and drink fluids until you have washed up. Wastewater is a
significant source of pathogenic bacteria and should be considered an
infectious waste. If drinkable water is
not available for washing use non drinkable water disinfected with a teaspoon
of bleach per gallon. Otherwise simply avoid the affected area until repairs
can be made. If the main sewer line is broken only qualified utility
maintenance personnel should make repairs and you may have to be patient and
deal with the inconvenience for a short time, as they will probably be
overburdened with requests for service. If the wastewater pipeline from your
house to the street is broken it is your responsibility to make repairs and you
should contact a plumber.
What should neighbors do with bags of toilet waste? How are
they handled and where should they be
stored? Who is responsible for their disposal?
Human fecal material
can be stored temporarily in plastic bags out of doors in garbage cans. Place
the cans in the shade if possible where there is good air circulation. Do what
you can to minimize nuisance odors affecting your neighbors. Human waste can be
buried in your backyard if you live in a private residence but you should
provide at least 18 inches of cover soil to minimize odors. It is better to
separate liquid waste from solid waste as much as possible. Unless drainage pipes
are broken in the home it would be better to continue to urinate in the toilet
even if it cannot be flushed than to attempt to cart it away. Non-drinkable
water can be used if available to flush toilets if there is no water pressure.
Have disposable alcohol wipes on hand if clean water is unavailable to clean
your hands.
Typically the
contracted trash hauler would be responsible for removing human waste if it is
in plastic bags.
What are some of the Health Issues that can result from
untreated waste and having contaminated water in the drinking water system?
Disease causing
microorganisms are very prevalent in human waste and if consumed inadvertently
with contaminated drinking water can lead to gastrointestinal-type illnesses.
The symptoms of these illnesses are typically vomiting, diarrhea, nausea,
cramps, loss of appetite, weakness and dehydration. The local Public Health or
Water Department will issue alerts if problems exist. All medical problems
should be brought to the attention of local authorities.
James Salerno, Water
Quality Bureau
San Francisco Public
Utilities Commission
1657 Rollins Rd. Burlingame, CA 94010 Email: jsalerno@puc.sf.ca.us
San Francisco Water
Quality Hotline (877) 737-8297 or (650)
652-3127 days and (650) 872-5900 nights