WATER: Following a disaster our water supply could be shut off. Are you prepared?

YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE GALLON PER PERSON PER DAY, MINIMUM. FEMA RECOMMENDS A THREE DAY SUPPLY.

Make sure water is stored in the proper containers, away from sunlight and contaminates, and in as spill-proof a location as possible. Use opaque, not clear, containers. Store on the floor, not on a shelf

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET WATER FROM THE TOILET TANK. (only if not treated chemically – blue tank water, “2000 Flushes”, etc.).

You may need to filter for glass particles or purify when water is obtained from those sources. DO NOT DEPEND ON THIS WATER SOURCE! Never use water from the toilet bowl and do not use from the tank if toilet has been flushed after the quake (broken sewer lines may have contaminated the water).

YOU MAY ALSO USE CANNED OR “BOXED” JUICES AND THE LIQUID FROM CANNED GOODS AS AN ALTERNATE SOURCE FOR VARIATION.

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET WATER FROM YOUR WATER PIPES. Turn off the water supply to your house. Open the faucets of your second story bath. Then open a downstairs faucet with a collecting pail beneath it.

USE MELTED ICE FROM THE FREEZER. it’s another small but usable source..

COLLECT RAIN WATER IN CLEAN CONTAINERS AFTER A QUAKE. Dirty containers can be lined with clean plastic bags, when needed.

CONSERVE, CONSERVE, CONSERVE! Use water only for drinking, washing hands and cooking after the quake.

BUY A WATER FILTRATIONIPURIFYING SYSTEM AND/OR TABLETS. You can find out about these at most full-line camping supply retailers (REI, Redwood Trading Post…)

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• DON’T FORGET FOOD AND WATER FOR PETS. Pets may consume large quantities of water when under stress, so make sure you’ve included water supplies for them. Keeping an extra bag of dry food will take care of the pet’s short term nutritional needs and is easy to store for most pets.
• MORE IS ALWAYS BETTER!! There is a good chance that more than a three day supply will be needed if freeway overpasses collapse, blocking access roads, or if neighbors are not prepared or their supply is destroyed.
• KEEP BACKPACKS AROUND TO CARRY FOOD IN, should we need to hike out of the area.

—  Mike Mancusi