Storing enough water is one of the most critical components of emergency preparedness. Whether caused by a problem with your local water supply provider or a hurricane just passed by the region, there are numerous emergencies that can make your everyday water supply unavailable or undrinkable.
That said, it’s important to always be prepared to meet these types of situations without much concern or effort. In this feature, you’ll learn some of the best options for storing water to prepare your home in case of emergencies. Keep reading below.
- Water Tanks
Perhaps the most convenient and best way to store water for emergencies is to install a specialized water tank on your property. Typically made of concrete, plastic, fiberglass, or stainless steel, this system is perfect for storing large amounts of water, up to 10,000 gallons.
Water tanks may collect water from a well or harvest rainwater. Depending on the type of tank and configuration you choose, you can drink this water and/or for other household uses. Aside from emergency preparedness, water tanks also ensure a stable water supply for your daily life. It helps in conserving water too by recycling rainwater or reducing your reliance on your local municipality.
While water tanks may be expensive upfront, it’s more cost-effective in the long run thanks to the numerous benefits and values they offer. Just make sure to buy a tank from a reputable manufacturer such as the Water Tank Factory. Aside from providing quality tanks of varying sizes and shapes, the right provider may provide professional installation as well.
- Heavy-Duty Polyethylene Containers
If installing a water tank is out of your budget, then you can opt for containers specifically designed for water storage. These containers are typically made of polyethylene food-grade and BPA-free plastic to reduce the risk of leaching chemicals into your water during long-term storage.
Most containers are designed to be thick and heavy-duty to withstand stacking and storage for longer periods. These containers are opaque and can be reused several times. The most common types are water barrels, yet there are plastic water jugs available in smaller sizes too.
When buying this type of plastic container, make sure to consider its shape. Popular water jugs today have a square or rectangular shape that allows them to fit easily in tight places or maximize storage space.
- Store-Bought Bottled Waters
Perhaps one of the quickest and easiest ways to establish a foundation of water storage is simply buying boxes of regular bottled water or even gallon-sized water bottles. These distilled water bottles can be purchased for very little and will provide a few days’ supplies of drinking water.
Take note, nevertheless, that this type of storage isn’t recommended to be re-used and should be replaced every 1-2 years. This is because some bottles may leak chemicals from the plastic container into the water during long-term storage.
It’s a more suitable option if you’re expecting a disaster such as a hurricane to hit your region. As a first step, you can have up to 12 gallons of water bottle set aside for peace of mind in case of emergencies.
- Bathtub Water Bladder
Storing water in the bathtub may be an unconventional way to store water yet may be a viable practice for those who live in areas with frequent severe weather events.
In general, there are products called water bladders. These are form-fitting plastic liners for your bathtub so you can fill it with water from the faucet. Then, you can use the included siphon pump to dispense the water.
Most bladder systems can store up to 100 gallons of water for the short term only. Just be careful that your kids or pets don’t play in, drown or contaminate the water.
- Swimming Pools
If you have a swimming pool, then you can use it to store water during disasters as well. Take note, nonetheless, that you shouldn’t depend on a pool as your sole source of water storage and only as a backup. Since pool water is at risk of all types of contamination, you can only use it for flushing the toilet, cleaning your home as well as emergencies such as fire suppression.
Takeaway
As you can see, it’s easy to start building water resilience and prepare for the unexpected. Investing time and effort towards water storage can mean fewer worries and improved success during an emergency. So, what are you waiting for? Use the abovementioned options to start storing water for the ‘just in case’ situations that may occur in your daily life.