HOME DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
& Safe Water Storage
Are you prepared for the next earthquake?
Or will you "Do it tomorrow"?
Storage of Water Before an Earthquake
Sources of Water After an Earthquake
Emergency Water Disinfection After a Disaster
Home Emergency Supply Checklist
Automobile Emergency Supply Checklist
Why Prepare?
If you have already prepared for the next earthquake, "Why Prepare" would sound like a pretty silly question. However... after the last earthquake, are you one of those who promised your family and yourself that you would be better prepared for the next one?
Well, if you still haven't prepared, this is the page for you. Just print this page and get started ...Today!
Storage of Water Before an Earthquake
1. How much water should you store?
Most experts say that you should have enough water to last three to seven days and that you should store a minimum of one gallon for each person for each day that you expect to be without water.
One gallon per person per day is the minimum recommended. The Santa Clarita Valley summers are very hot, so you may wish to store more than the minimum. Don't forget water for your pets.
(If you have freeze-dried meals stored for emergencies, remember to calculate the additional water needed to reconstitute your food.)
Example:
You have a family of four people (4 gallons), a dog (1 gallon) and a cat (1 gallon) for a total of 6 gallons per day. You decide that you want to have enough water to last a full week. Multiply 6 gallons x 7 days for a grand total of 42 gallons.
2. How should I store my water?
Your water should be stored in a durable container out of the sunlight. In the example above, we calculated that we needed 42 gallons of water. Options A through C are for families who buy bottled drinking water. Option D is the most economical method for storing this amount of water.
Option A:
Storing 42 gallons of water in 1-gallon bottles would be difficult since the bottles don't stack well. On the other hand, one-gallon bottles are easy to transport and you could buy a couple bottles each time you go to the market. When you have purchased the total number of bottles that you have calculated, you will want to start a rotation program to keep the water fresh. Do this by adding a new bottle to your supply each time you go to the market and put your "oldest" bottle in the refrigerator for daily use.
Option B:
Most markets sell 3-gallon bottles. Our calculations above would require that you store14 bottles. This would still take a lot of space, but 3-gallon bottles are still easy to carry. To keep your stored water fresh when you need it, you can rotate your supply by putting all the bottles in a row. Use a bottle off one end of your row and place a fresh one from the market at the other end of the row.
Option C:
If you buy your water from a water delivery service in 5-gallon bottles, you would need to store 9 bottles. You could use the same rotation plan used in Option B to keep your supply fresh.
Option D:
Purchase a new, clean 50-gallon plastic barrel and the special wrench to remove the barrel caps. These can be purchased from several sources. Check the phone book for Barrel and Drum Suppliers or Earthquake Products and Services . A barrel takes up less total space than any of the options above and the price of the barrel should be cheaper than purchasing the water in bottles. Since once the barrel is full it will weigh more than 420 pounds, be certain to think about where you will store it.
You will also need to purchase a small hand pump to get water from your barrel. These can be purchased at your local sporting goods or recreational vehicle supply store.
First time barrel use: Rinse out your new barrel and add 1/4 cup recently purchased liquid laundry bleach (see bleach specifications below) and fill the barrel with a clean hose. Let stand for 24 hours. Drain the barrel. Don't waste this water, wash your car with it. Place the barrel in its "permanent" location and add 1/4 cup bleach and fill with water. Install the cap and tape a note on the barrel stating the date that you filled it.
Once a year (On a date you can remember, possibly January 17th): Drain the barrel, add 1/4 cup bleach, refill with water, and date the barrel. The chlorine will be gone by this time, so you can use the drained water for plants.
Sources of Water After an Earthquake
If your normal water supply is off and you have not stored water, the following places are possible sources:
Recreational vehicle or camper.
Your water heater. (You did attach it securely to the wall before the earthquake, didn't you?) To drain: First, turn off the water heater's gas/electric supply. Close the water inlet valve on top of the heater. Open any hot water faucets or disconnect the water line on top of the water heater. Drain water into a container from the faucet at the bottom of the water heater.
Melted ice cubes.
Defrosted water from your freezer.
The toilet tank not the bowl . Be sure to purify (disinfect) it before using it.
(See water disinfection below)
Water in canned vegetables.
Don't use water from the following sources for drinking because the chemicals in them could cause you to become ill. Adding bleach or boiling will NOT make the sources below safe to drink but they may be used for bathing and flushing toilets:
Swimming Pools
Spas or Hot Tubs
Your fish pond
Emergency Water Disinfection After a Disaster
If you are not certain that your water is safe to drink or your local water company has issued a "boil order," (listen to your radio for boil order announcements) you should disinfect the water before drinking it.
You can disinfect water that you are unsure of by one of several methods:
Boiling
Bring the water to a rapid boil and let it boil for at least one minute. NEVER use charcoal barbecues indoors to boil your water. Due to its chemical content, you should not use swimming pool, spa, or hot tub water for drinking (boiling this water will just concentrate the chemicals).
Bleach disinfection
Water may be disinfected with recently purchased 5.25% sodium hypochlorite bleach (household bleach). Do NOT use bleach that has active ingredients other than sodium hypochlorite. Do NOT use scented bleach. You can keep your emergency supply of bleach fresh by rotating your supply. Buy a gallon of bleach and put this with your earthquake supplies, use your previous bottle for your laundry. This assures that your bleach is at its maximum disinfecting strength. It is also ok to use the new "Ultra" type bleaches as long as they are not scented.
Using the chart below, add bleach to the water you want to disinfect.
Mix the water and the bleach thoroughly by stirring or shaking in a container. Let the water stand for 30 minutes before using. You should be able to detect a slight chlorine odor after 30 minutes. If not, repeat the process and let stand for an additional 15 minutes.
| Clear Water Amount of Bleach |
One Quart 2 drops |
One Gallon 8 drops |
5 Gallons 1/2 teaspoon |
| Cloudy Water Amount of Bleach |
One Quart 4 drops |
One Gallon |
5 Gallons 1 teaspoon |
Reverse Osmosis Pump
Backpacking and boating supply stores have small reverse osmosis pumps that can remove minerals and bacteria. Carefully read the directions that come with your unit.
Home Emergency Supply Checklist
Fire Extinguisher Type A-B-C First Aid Kit and Handbook.
12-inch Crescent or Pipe Wrench to turn of gas and water valves if necessary.
Flashlight and extra batteries (The extra batteries will last longer if you keep them in the refrigerator.)
Water and Disinfectant (see above)
Eyedropper for adding the bleach to water for drinking.
Radio and extra batteries . Useful to receive emergency broadcasts and current disaster information.
Dry or canned food for one week's supply. It is preferable to store food that does not require cooking.
Can Opener!
Alternate Cooking Source . Store a camp stove and fuel for cooking if your utilities are out of service. For safety sake use your camp stove outdoors. NEVER use a charcoal barbecue indoors for cooking or heating purposes.
Extra blankets and clothing may be required to keep warm. Have shoes suitable for walking through debris.
Rain gear and tarps to keep dry or cover roof damage.
Small plastic trash bags for toilet use if your toilets are not working.
Toilet paper
Extra eyeglasses .
Prescription medication
Please note: This is a list of the minimum items that you should store. Check with the American Red Cross for a list of additional items you may need.
Automobile Emergency Supply Checklist
Nylon carrying bag
Bottled water
Non-perishable food
Can opener
Transistor Radio with extra batteries
Flashlight with spare batteries
First Aid Kit and Handbook
Gloves
Prescription medication
Regular Blanket, "Space Blanket", or sleeping bag
Small tool kit
Toilet paper
Sturdy walking shoes and an extra pair of socks
Change of clothes
Jacket
Rain poncho
Cash
Remember, you may be stranded for up to 72 hours. Make sure you have enough supplies to meet your needs. If you are in a remote area, remember that your vehicle is easier to spot from the air than you alone, and your vehicle can provide you with shelter. Stay with your car.
Copyright © 1997-2004 Castaic Lake Water Agency
