Emergency Water Supply
Water is one of the most basic human needs that man cannot survive without. Who wants to imagine a water shortage or dying of thirst? The reality is during a natural disaster, water can become a very scarce commodity. For example, during an earthquake, the sewage line can break and contaminate the water supply of an entire area. With all the confusion and panic caused by the disaster, it could very well be a long time before the problem gets fixed. Having an emergency water supply is absolutely necessary.
Buying water may not be an option either because the stores may all be shut or run out of stocks of water. Recent examples of acute water scarcity include the earthquake in Haiti, hurricane Katrina and the very recent disasters in Japan. Have you ever wondered what would happen if the municipality in your area was unable to provide water even for a single day? What can you do to resolve a problem that can hit you at any time?
The solution to the problem is to have an emergency water supply. You can stock up on bottled water, but that will really only be good for a maximum of three days. How many bottles of water are you going to be able to carry with you when trekking through the devastation of an earthquake?
Depending on the number of people in your family, you are going to have to make provision for all of them. Each person will need at least two quarts of water each day. You will also need water for cooking, washing and sanitation purposes.
Plastic barrels, drums, storage tanks and cisterns are all solutions to possible water problems during a natural disaster.
Above ground storage tanks are available in stores. The tanks are made from polyethylene, are durable and lightweight. The tanks are excellent for storing water in or outdoors. If you plan to put the tank outdoors, get one that is opaque for easy algae detection. If you live in a cold weather zone where temperatures drop below freezing, don’t fill the tank to the brim; leave room for freezing or it can burst from ice expansion. Indoor tanks can go in the basement, garage or an outbuilding.
Below ground storage tanks include cisterns made from polyethylene and fiberglass water storage tanks. These options provide storage of large quantities of water depending on the size of the tank you buy.
Do the math on how much water you will need for your family based on the numbers before buying a storage tank. When it comes to water, rule of thumb states more is better. Having an emergency water supply therefore is of utmost importance in preparing for a natural or man-made disaster. Please visit our Emergency Preparedness Category for additional information and products to help keep you and your family safe.
