Drinking Water in Emergencies

Matt Stevenson, CPP

Water in Disaster, a Critical Need

One of the most critical needs for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina* was clean drinking water. According to Kellogg Schwab, PhD, co-directorof the Center for Water and Health at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, survivors in many areas face a double threat from a lack of drinking water and sewage treatment.

Without electricity, water pumps and waste water treatment plants cannot function. To make matters worse, flood waters can overload the sewage system contaminating flooded areas.

Schwab says a lack of drinking water, poor sanitation and the close quarters offered in many emergencies shelters create ripe conditions for spreading many communicable diseases, such as cholera, E. coli andNoro viruses. “It does not take many microbes or sick people to spread disease, particularly when they are living together in a shelter,” says Schwab.

Source; John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health * Hurricane Katrina 2005; 1,836 fatalities,

Bottling your own Water is Safe and Easy

This hurricane season, invest in plastic water containers for your family instead of buying bottled water. Plastic water containers — the kind used forcamping and other outdoor activities — are available in a variety of sizes, from 4-10 gallons or more.

Some are even collapsible to fold easily for storage. They can be purchased at sporting goods stores and are built to last for years of use. Calculate about onegallon per person, per day. Be sure to include enough water for your pets as well. Don’t fill your containers up in advance and store them; the water can get stale.

Wait until a hurricane warning has been posted for your area, clean and rinse the container, then fill it with fresh water from your tap.

Source; Miami-Dade County Official Hurricane Guide

Water Storage Tips

Store water in plastic containers such as plastic as soft Drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.

A normally active person needs to drink at least 2 quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more.

Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation)

Keep at least a three day supply of water for each person in your household.

Source; Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit;FEMA , American Red Cross

Emergency SituationDisinfecting Dinking Water

When boiling off water for 1 minute is not possible in an emergency situation, you can

disinfect your drinking water with Clorox® Regular-Bleach as follows:

1. Remove suspended particles by filtering or letting particles settle to the bottom.

2. Pour off clear water into a clean container.

3. Add 8 drops of Clorox® Regular-Bleach (not scented or Clorox® Plus®

bleaches) to one gallon of water (2 drops to 1 quart). For cloudy water, use 16 drops per gallon of water (4drops to 1 quart).

4. Allow the treated water to stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat and wait another 15 minutes. The treated water can then be made palatable by pouring it between clean containers several times.

Source; www.Clorox.com

5 Gallon Fold-A-CarrierCollapsible Water Storage

Container collapsible plastic containerconveniently carries or storeswater. On/off spigot locks closedto avoid messy spills, strongplastic handle folds flat. 5 gal. -10"cube when full, Large neckopening lets you add ice cubes,FDA, food approved plastic isflexible even in extreme cold,made of Low Density Polyethylene

Source; campingcomfortably.com.

Emergency Drinking Water Storage

The waterBOB® is a water containment system that holds up to 100 gallons of fresh drinking water in any standard bathtub in the event of an emergency.

Price of only $19.95 + $4.95 Shippingwww.waterbob.com/

Sanitizing Water

Boiling can be used as apathogen reduction methodthat should kill all pathogens.Water should be brought toa rolling boil for 1 minute. Ataltitudes greater than 6,562feet (greater than 2000meters), you should boilwater for 3 minutes.

Source; Center for Disease Control

Reusable Emergency Water Storage Unit

Emergency preparedness includes safe drinking water this unit stores 65 gallons of water, a 14 day supply for a family of four. This unit sells for $58.95 and may be purchased at safehomeproducts.com.

This unit is reusable as it comes with 3 liners. Comes with apump to remove water.

Emergency Water Purification

Medentech works with key international NGOs to reduce suffering during human and Natural disasters. With 25 years experience in responding To disasters around the world Medentech is well positioned in helping with any crisis. Medentech has stock of water purification tablets on hand in 20Countries around the world to aid speedy distribution when a disaster strikes. For further information contact Michael Gately on +353 53 9117900 or email info@medentech.com 24 hour – 7 day – 365 days emergency direct availability via our emergency system. Crisis readiness .

We hold 20+ million tablets in stock at all times for emergency situations both at our Wexford factory and at Butyl Products Ltd. UK Warehouse link: www.butylproducts.co.uk Boiling can be used as a pathogen reduction method that should kill all pathogens.