Water is one of the most crucial items needed in every disaster and survival incident. We don’t just need water to drink, but also to keep ourselves clean and assist in food preparation. Water also is critical to keeping our environment and gear clean (washing clothes, tools, etc). Thankfully, water is also an abundant resource – most of the time. Before a crisis scenario hits it is vitally important to make sure that you have alternative water access if your utility supply is cut off. If you don’t take time to store and conserve water before the crisis happens you will most likely run out, drastically compounding your problems.
Below are 3 easy ways that you can prepare for disasters by storing water effectively, as well as 3 ways to conserve that water until your primary utility access is available again.
3 Easy Ways to Store Water
- The first and easiest way to stock up on water is to keep a supply of store bought water bottles. You can buy a variety of sizes, although the larger the better for convenience. It can be a pain to have lots of loose small bottles around in storage. Find creative ways to store these bottles – in the pantry, a hall closet, or even under a bed. However, don’t wait until the days before a weather disaster to try to start purchasing them – everyone else will have the same idea and you probably won’t be able to secure enough.
- A second easy way to store water is to collect it in large containers from the tap. This is a good way to collect water that you may end up using to boil for cooking, washing up, or flushing toilets. I have heard people recommend storing water in bathtubs, which works, but I don’t care for the idea of using water that’s been sitting in my bathtub – it’s rarely as clean as I’d like it to be. If you plan to use this water for drinking, or just don’t want it sitting open in a tub for safety (if you have young children), then I recommend getting a large water storage bag like the AquaPod Kit. This is great and easy way to collect a lot of last minute water storage before a big event. It fits in the bathtub, and if you don’t end up needing it, just take a bath!
- The third easy way to collect and store water before a big event is through rain fall. This does take some planning ahead, but if you are able to utilize large food grade water barrels you can just locate them outside and collect the rain that falls ahead of and during a storm. The best way to do this is to place them beneath your gutter spouts. This water will most certainly need to be boiled and filtered if used for drinking or food prep, but also works great as is for rinsing off, washing up, and cleaning gear.
3 Ways to Conserve Water
- First, change your bathing habits. Showers are often the biggest use, and potential waste, of water. If you are concerned that your utility water may remain off for an unknown amount of time and have to rely on a limited quantity from your stores, then bathing is the first thing to control. I recall as a child when we took “bird baths”. If the situation demanded, we would get a washcloth soaking wet with cold water, strip down, and wash ourself off just with that. Now, certainly you may not get as clean and it won’t be as enjoyable as a nice hot shower, but remember that the stakes are higher now. Water must be conserved.
- Second, keep a stock of disposable or compostable dishes and cutlery. This eliminates the need to use water to clean dishes after eating. When you have to rely on a limited amount of water, this is an easy way to eliminate some usage.
- Third, consider adjusting how you dispose of human waste in the toilet. While this is not an enjoyable topic, it is important to address. While composting toilets can be a great option, there is an easy and cheap alternative for short term water supply issues. I recall a cross-stitched sign one of my grandmothers had in a bathroom that summed it up well. It said “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” While surprising and perhaps odd to see in my wealthy grandmother’s bathroom, it is helpful advice in a scenario when water supply is limited. Another option is for the males in the household to pick a spot outside, away from the house, to do their standing business. Again, we are looking at easy and simple ways to reduce how much water is being used in a crisis event.
Why You Should Store and Conserve Water
I have heard many stories, and continue to hear them, about people running out of water during and after major storms. There was recently unprecedented flooding in the city where I live. One friend, who really wanted to focus on helping others, lost water access during this time. He lives in an apartment building, so his living space was unaffected by the flooding, but he ended up leaving his house to stay somewhere else because he didn’t have water stocked up (which I did recommend the week leading up to the event). His apartment ended up having water restored after only two days. He could have saved a lot of time, money, and stress by taking the time to stockpile some backup water storage. This would have allowed him to continue living in his otherwise safe home and helping others more effectively.
It is not a complex or expensive commitment to store and conserve water ahead of a crisis. Yes, there are some serious projects you can undertake to be completely water independent of the utility grid. Yes, sometimes the storm or crisis may be so bad that you can’t store enough water to last the whole time. But, I would bet that most people haven’t taken these first, easy steps.
Take some time this week to consider your options. Remember, you water supply doesn’t have to sit in a closet until something happens. Keep a rotating stock – take water on a hike, to a youth sports event, or on a road trip. Then replace it. The best security practices should not only prepare you for a time of crisis, but also make everyday life a little easier.
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