Disaster Availabilities for Water and Water Planning

Toilet

This situation assumes that the water pumping station has or may lose power and the water pressure will gradually drop to no pressure when the tap is opened and water is consumed.  If there is time, take a sheet of plastic and use it to line the bathtub after putting in the stopper.  Then fill the bathtub to near the top.  This will serve as a water reserve in order to flush the toilet for solid waste or can be used for drinking and cooking as it has been treated.. Liquid waste should not be flushed in order to reserve the water supply and should supply enough water for close to a week.   If you have a pond nearby, that may be used as a water source for the toilet and consumed if treated (chemicals, boiling, filtering).  

Water Consumption (Drink and Food Consumption)

It is, generally, assumed that it will be 3 to 7 days before help can arrive with supplies after a storm or incident.  To fill the gap period, it is recommended that one have a minimum of one gallon/person, pet/day.  For example, if you are going to purchase a five day supply for three people and a dog, you would need a 20 gallon (1 x 3+1 x 5) supply.   The water can be purchased in gallon or larger containers if space is an consideration.  The less than one dollar gallon containers from a grocery should last one to two years before the plastic starts having holes.  Pick your storage location with leakage in mind. 

Water that is stored should have a couple of drops of bleach added annually.

 Last Update:  06/27/2018    © Copyright Sumter County ARES. All Rights Reserved.