Water storage in preparation for times of disaster seems like a pretty straight forward concept. After all, it’s a simple matter to buy some bottled water and stash it in the basement. If you stop and think about it, though, you are bound to formulate some questions equipment maintenance near me that you really don’t know the answer to. How much water should you keep in storage? What is the best way to store it? How long can water supplies be stored before they need to be replaced? You will find the answers to all these questions and more in this article.
As far as the amount of water you should have stored, the bottom line is that you can never have too much water if a disaster should happen. You will need to keep plenty on hand so that each family member will be able to drink what they need and to keep reasonably sanitary at a time when bacteria and viruses can run rampant. In addition, you’ll need water for cooking, basic laundry, and to clean any wounds someone in your family may have sustained. The rule of thumb is that you should stash a gallon of water per family member per day. You should also plan to keep enough water for 7 – 21 days on hand. For a family of four, this can mean anywhere from 28 to 84 gallons of water.
The correct method of storage is another area where people just don’t have enough knowledge. If you took a poll of the general public, most would tell you that they just store water in the plastic jugs they buy it in, or else they store tap water in plastic milk jugs. Since the plastic in these jugs is a permeable substance, it means that bacteria natural wood colors chart and other contaminants are able to get in through the pores to affect the water. For instance, if you sit the jugs on the concrete floor of your garage, substances such as paints, oils, exhaust, and pesticides can permeate the plastic to contaminate your water. Heat and light can also promote dysentery germ growth which can make your family sick.
The proper way to store water is using a “Water Preserver” which is a container that the EPA approves for long-term storage of emergency water. This barrel-like device kills all of the bacteria that tries to grow in the water and gives you safe drinking water for as long as 5 years. The preserver is used in conjunction with safe plastic containers that are designed for long-term use. These containers are made of opaque plastic, and they are equipped with airtight caps.
As with everything else, there’s a right way and a wrong way to store water. Knowing how to do it correctly can mean life or death for the members of your family should a disaster situation occur.
