Water

Of all the things that you need for survival water is one of the most important. On this page you will find tips on who to find it and how to make it safe to drink.

Solar Still
The following tip was sent to me by Donald L. Cline. It gives instruction for making a solar still to get fresh drinking water. Thanks Don!
Doc

An emergency water supply may be acquired, if the ground is
reasonably moist or you can dig down deep enough to find
somewhat moist earth, by digging a hole two or three feet
across (and deep enough to get past the alluvial crust), and
setting a suitable open topped container in the middle of
the hole. Then you drape a sheet of plastic over the hole,
weighting the edges down with rocks. You drop a
medium sized stone in the middle of the sheet of plastic so
that it droops down in the middle and condensation on the
inside of the plastic can drip off into the container.
Some people suggest a plastic hose from the container out to
the edge of the hole so that one can suck on it like a
straw.
The hole may have to be moved occasionally if the earth
dries out.
--
Donald L. Cline
(Up to 1 qt of fresh drinking water per day can be gotten this way, even in the desert)
Doc

Water Treatment
The safest and cheapest way to treat water is by boiling for 10-15 minutes. There are chemical treatments and water filters on the market or you can add bleach to the water container itself. The following chart can be used as a guide:

Quantity Water

Water Condition

5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)

1 Quart	Clear Cloudy	2 drops 4 Drops
1/2 Gallon	Clear Cloudy	4 Drops 8 Drops
1 Gallon	Clear Cloudy	8 Drops 16 Drops
5 Gallons	Clear Cloudy	1/2 teaspoon 1 teaspoon
120 Gallons	Clear Cloudy	2 ounces 4 ounces

Emergency Water Resource Guide

Water Source Guidelines for Use

Interior Water Sources

Plumbing System Best water to use in an emergency; Everyone is familiar with taste, color, odor, and quality; Know where the main valve is and have the proper valve key.

Water Lines Contain several gallons of water, depending on house size. Easy to access. Turn on faucet at lowest point in line, if water doesn't flow open faucet at highest point in line.

Hot Water Heater Contains 15-50 gallons of water, depending on size. Open drain valve on bottom of tank. you made need to screen or filter out sediment before drinking or cooking with it.

Tubs & Sinks Fill ahead of time, if possible, to have additional water on hand

Toilet Tank (not bowls) Contain 5-7 gallons of water. Always treat before drinking (boiling is preferred). Caution: Do not use if commercial disinfectants or cleaners are used in the tank!

Appliances Use appliances for emergency water storage.

Refrigerator / Freezer Use cooled and frozen drinks first. Ice cubes can be used for drinking.

Water cooler, Washer, Buckets, pots, & pans Fill for additional reserves of water.

Water Beds Controversial storage source. To use water bed water for emergency purposes:
(1) use only new mattress.
(2) fill mattress with fresh tap water.
(3) add 2 oz. of bleach per 120 gallons of water. (Do not use algae inhibitors).
(4) rotate water at least yearly.
(5) test water 3-4 times per year for algae and toxins.
(6) all water bed water MUST be boiled before use.

Water Source

Guidelines for Use

Exterior Water Sources

Yard	Water hoses, buckets, barrels of rainwater, puddles, ditches, & troughs may contain water
Water hoses	Suspect contamination if hose end is in bucket, barrel, ditch, or puddle. Hoses lying on the ground may have siphoned contaminated water.
Hot Tub or Swimming pool	Controversial source. Could provide both emergency source and long term storage. Use for non drinking purposes. If required for drinking or cooking, treat and boil as contaminated.
Precipitation	Rain or snow provide water. If caught in clean containers may be used without treatment. Otherwise, treat as contaminated.
Rainwater	Collect in pans, buckets, barrels, or cisterns. Treat all water not caught in clean containers.
Snow	The first snow to fall contains environmental contaminates. use only clean fallen snow as a clean water source. For old snow fall, remove the "crust" and use the protected snow underneath for clean water use. If you're not sure of quality treat as contaminated.
Surface Water (lakes, streams, rivers, & ponds)	Collect water and process: (1) find a sandy spot within 1'-6' of waters edge; (2) dig hole 12" below the water level; (3) wait for water to seep into hole; (4) let mud settle; (5) dip out clear water being careful to avoid getting any mud in the container; (6) filter water through sand, grass, charcoal field filtration unit, or use several layers of cloth to remove larger debris. Treat all surface water as if it were contaminated!
Groundwater	Puddles, ditches, and any other ground depression can contain water. Must be treated first!
Well Water	Unless used as primary water source, test before using. Check often for contamination.
Natural Spring	normally potable unless inundated by floods waters or contaminated by oil spills, chemicals, dead animals, etc. If you can not test the water treat it as if it were contaminated.

Plumbing System	Best water to use in an emergency; Everyone is familiar with taste, color, odor, and quality; Know where the main valve is and have the proper valve key.
Water Lines	Contain several gallons of water, depending on house size. Easy to access. Turn on faucet at lowest point in line, if water doesn't flow open faucet at highest point in line.
Hot Water Heater	Contains 15-50 gallons of water, depending on size. Open drain valve on bottom of tank. you made need to screen or filter out sediment before drinking or cooking with it.
Tubs & Sinks	Fill ahead of time, if possible, to have additional water on hand
Toilet Tank (not bowls)	Contain 5-7 gallons of water. Always treat before drinking (boiling is preferred). Caution: Do not use if commercial disinfectants or cleaners are used in the tank!
Appliances	Use appliances for emergency water storage.
Refrigerator / Freezer	Use cooled and frozen drinks first. Ice cubes can be used for drinking.
Water cooler, Washer, Buckets, pots, & pans	Fill for additional reserves of water.
Water Beds	Controversial storage source. To use water bed water for emergency purposes: (1) use only new mattress. (2) fill mattress with fresh tap water. (3) add 2 oz. of bleach per 120 gallons of water. (Do not use algae inhibitors). (4) rotate water at least yearly. (5) test water 3-4 times per year for algae and toxins. (6) all water bed water MUST be boiled before use.

Water

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