Water

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 The rule of thumb is to have 1 gallon of water per person, per day - for as many days as you want to prepare for (minimum 3 days, ideally 7-10). 

We take it for granted when it’s available, but many often forget that water is used for a variety of essential purposes:

1. Drinking: Water is vital for hydration and maintaining bodily functions.
2. Sanitation: Water is needed for personal hygiene, such as washing hands, bathing, and cleaning.
3. Food Preparation: Water is necessary for cooking and preparing food.
4. Medical Care: Water is essential for treating injuries, illnesses, and dehydration. 

 Water  becomes limited due to several factors:

1. Infrastructure Damage: Disasters often cause damage to water treatment facilities, pipelines, and distribution systems. This can disrupt the normal supply of potable water.
2. Contamination: Flooding will contaminate water sources with harmful substances, such as bacteria, viruses, and chemicals (ex. flooded sewage systems will expose raw sewage to water tables and bodies of water). This will make the water unsafe to drink without proper treatment.
3. Increased Demand: During disasters, the demand for water often surges as people seek to meet their basic needs for drinking, sanitation, and hygiene. This can strain existing water supplies and lead to shortages.
4. Transportation Challenges: Disasters can disrupt transportation networks, making it difficult to deliver water and other supplies to affected areas. This can further exacerbate water shortages. 

• Plastic bottles are the most common type of household water storage. Millions of households use these daily, but to have enough for resilience, ensure you remember the gallon/person/day rule. 
• This can become a difficult way of ensuring enough water when stock is not replaced every time you open a new package.
• Keep a backup supply in a different area of your home that is not touched, unless to swap out with newer bottles.
• Bottles should be kept in a cool, windowless area of your home if possible, and rotated out every 1-2 years.

• By storing water by the gallon, you're less likely to run into the situation of using them without replenishing as they're not as easy to pick up and use.
• Same recommendations apply - keep in a cool place without sunlight if possible, and rotate out every 1-2 years.

• These are typically used in offices and community buildings, but available at many grocery and office supply stores. 
• These can be stored in a cool place out of direct sunlight for up to 5 years.
• Get bottles that have handles for easier transportation in the event you need to pack in your car to move locations.
• If you decide this route, get a manual hand pump for easier distribution.

• Any large food-grade container that has a tight seal can be used for water storage.
• Glass is the easiest to sterilize - think large pickle or pasta sauce jars.
• Durable plastic containers can be used as well, but water should be rotated more often than glass.

• These are ideal for apartments or smaller living spaces.
•  You can keep them empty and stored under the bed or in a closet, and if there's notice about extreme weather, fill them before the storm hits.

NOTE: If water quality has already been compromised (flooding, infrastructure damage etc.), make sure you filter the water before using.

• If you have a bathtub, consider one of these. Bathtub bladders are large, collapsible plastic bags that roll out in your bathtub and can be filled with the faucet.
• Similar to the collapsible water membranes, you can keep them in storage and fill them up with adequate notice about a potential disaster. 
• These can typically hold 65-100 gallons of water, depending on the size of your tub.

NOTE: If water quality has already been compromised (flooding, infrastructure damage etc.), make sure you filter the water before using.

• Inline water tanks are built directly into a home’s plumbing system to ensure a steady and reliable water supply during emergencies.  
• Because they’re always filled and refreshed during regular use, inline tanks offer a low-maintenance, space-saving way to stay prepared without the need for manually rotating stored water. 

NOTE: If water quality has already been compromised (flooding, infrastructure damage etc.), make sure you filter the water before using.

Boiling water  is one of the most effective methods to kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa.

1. Boil the water for at least 1 minute, then let it cool before drinking. 
2. To improve the taste of boiled water, you can add 1 pinch of salt per liter, or aerate by pouring the water from one clean container to  another a few times. 

1. Add 6 drops of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. 
2. If the water is cloudy or dirty, use 16 drops per gallon.
3. If the mixture does not smell of bleach, add another 6 drops and let it sit an additional 15 minutes.

When purchasing a water filter, it is important to ensure they are NSF-certified. LifeStraw is a reputable brand that provides many versions, but there are others out there. 

NOTE: Brita, Pur, and other standard carbon filters do NOT remove parasites and bacteria. 

Common filter options:

1. Straw Filter: These filters are small, portable, and have an unlimited shelf life. Once used, they can filter up to 1,000 gallons of water and last up to 5 years.
2. Gravity Filter: These filters use gravity to force water through a filter medium, helpful for household situations where electricity is not available. 
3. High Capacity Filter: The filters are replaceable and can last up to  26,000 gallons. Ideal for schools, workplaces, and other community centers.
4. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filter: RO filters use a membrane to remove contaminants from water. They are highly effective at removing a wide range of impurities, including minerals, but can also remove beneficial minerals. Ensure you have a way to re-miniralize.
5. Pitcher and Dispenser Filters:  If you decide to use a pitcher or fridge dispenser filter, ensure the filters are replaced regularly, graded for parasite and bacteria removal, and are NSF-certified. 
6.  If you don't have a filter on-hand, you can make one with a few household items.

These tablets contain iodine or chlorine and can be used to purify water.

1. Typically, adding one 50mg tablet and waiting 30 minutes will purify 1-2 liters  of water, but follow the instructions on the packaging. 
2. If there is sediment, it's advised to run the water through a filter before adding the purification tab. If you don't have a filter on-hand, you can make one with a few household items.

Solar Distillation is a process of purifying water using the sun's heat. It's a simple and effective method that can be used, but the process is slow and only works with direct sunlight.

Solar stills come in various shapes and sizes, but how they work will have the same parameters:

1. Evaporation: Water is placed in a container exposed to the sun. The heat from the sun causes the water to evaporate.
2. Condensation: The evaporated water rises, cools, and condenses back into liquid form on a cool surface.
3. Collection: The condensed water is collected in a separate container, resulting in purified water. 

At the very least, you'll need:

1. A container for the contaminated water
2. A smaller container to capture the clean water
3. Plastic bag or plastic wrap
4. A rock or something to use as a weight

Simplified example here

There are more advanced DIY versions or solar stills available for purchase.

The simplest method of rain collection is putting a container outside, ideally on a roof  or high surface.

• Use clean containers: Ensure they are free from contaminants. Use pots, pans, buckets, or any container with a wide mouth. If you have a plastic tarp, secure from all four sides and ensure there are no trees or obstructions blocking rainfall.
• Place them in a clean area: Avoid areas with potential contamination, like rooftops near chimneys or gutters.
• Filter and treat: The water will still need to be filtered and treated to ensure there are no contaminants.
• Rain barrels: HINT: not all are circular barrels. There are slim-fit collection systems that are easier to camouflage. 

Remember:

• Safety first: Ensure the area you're collecting rainwater from is safe and free from contaminants.
• Quantity: Collect as much water as you can to ensure a sufficient supply.
• Conservation: Use the water wisely, as it may be limited. 

• Look for springs or streams: Ensure the water appears clean and free of debris.
• Filter and treat the water: remember the water sill still need to be treated to ensure it is safe to consume.
• Spring Box: These are simple structures built around a spring to capture and channel the water into a storage tank.

Dew is a natural source of water that can be collected, especially in early morning hours.  Ensure you set up the collection method at night, and collect early in the morning to avoid evaporation.

A few methods:

1. Cloth or Tarp: Spread a clean, cloth or tarp on a flat surface, preferably in an open area exposed to the night sky. In the morning, gently shake or squeeze the cloth to collect the dew.
2. Dew Collectors: The simplest and cheapest is an inverted pyramid using a plastic sheet, a rock to form the point, and a cup to collect the water. If that isn’t available,  place cup-shaped objects or leaves facing up and collect dew in the morning.
3. Dew-Covered Plants:  In the early morning, gently shake or wipe dew-covered plants, such as grass or leaves, into a container.

Tips for Effective Dew Harvesting:

• Clear sky: Dew formation is more likely on clear nights.
• Cool temperatures: Cooler temperatures promote dew formation.
• Exposed surface: Ensure the cloth or tarp is exposed to the sky and not shaded.
• Clean materials: Use clean materials to avoid contamination.
• Prompt collection: Collect the dew as soon as possible after dawn

 Graywater harvesting is the practice of collecting and reusing lightly used water from household activities like bathing, laundry, and sink use. This water, known as graywater, can be used to irrigate plants, flush toilets, or other non-potable uses. This water can also be filtered for potable use (requires more sophisticated filtration techniques).

A few methods:

1. Simple Bucket Method:

• Place buckets under sinks and in showers to collect graywater.
• Use the collected water to water plants (with filtering) or flush toilets.

2. Divert-and-Drain System:

• Install a diverter valve to redirect graywater from washing machines, showers or sinks to an outdoor drain or a storage tank.
• Filter and use.

3. Gravity-Fed System:

• Create a simple system using pipes to direct graywater from fixtures to a storage tank or directly to outdoor plants.
• Ensure proper slope and filtration to prevent clogs and contamination.

4. Commercial Graywater Systems:

• Invest in a commercial graywater system that includes filtration, storage, and distribution components.
• These systems offer more advanced features and can handle larger volumes of graywater.

Important Considerations:

• Water Quality: Ensure the graywater is filtered to remove debris and contaminants.
• Plant Selection: Choose plants that can tolerate graywater, as it may contain nutrients and minerals.
• Soil Conditions: Consider your soil type and drainage to avoid waterlogging.
• Maintenance: Regularly clean and maintain your graywater system to prevent clogs and odors.