Water Storage and Purification
Did you know that humans can survive up to 3 weeks without food, but only up to 3 days without water? With droughts occurring all over the country, how long will it be before not only outdoor watering is restricted, but the amount of water you are allowed to use in your home is restricted as well? Or what would you do if your local water supply became contaminated? The storage of water is a simple process and can be started with items that you already own.
One of the easiest ways to store water is to wash out your used 2 liter soda bottles and fill them up. you can also use old juice bottles as long as they have a tight fitting screw on top. Milk jugs are not recommended because the lids do not fasten tight enough. The filled bottles can then be stored in your home and you only need to empty and refill them at least every six months. There is no need to add bleach to the water since it does not extend the storage time and most communities use water that has already been treated locally. If by chance you get your water from an untreated well, then you should add a small amount of bleach to the water to get rid of any parasites. If you do not buy soda or juice in large bottles, you can purchase water storage containers or drums from emergency supply stores. Just make sure that whatever you use to store your water you put a date on it so that you will know when it is time to replace it.
If you would rather not have to replace the water every 6 months, you can buy water purification drops. The drops will keep your water usable for up to 5 years. It is also a good idea to keep on hand, water purification tablets. If your water supply is contaminated, the tablets can purify the water. You can also purchase water test kits that will let you know if your water contains lead, bacteria, nitrates, pesticides, or chlorine. It will also test the pH level and hardness levels of the water. Finally, if you are able, a water filter can be purchased to clean large amounts of water. The water filters are hand held devices that can filter up to 1 liter of water per minute.
By storing just a little bit of water each week, you will soon have enough to provide for your family in times of emergency. Being prepared is the best way to ensure that your family will be protected.
