An average person needs to drink at least two liters of water per day, but this amount can increase depending on the person’s activity level and the temperature of their environment. Hot weather can double a person’s water intake, and children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need even more. You will also need water for food preparation and hygiene. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing physical activity and staying cool.
It is recommended that each person should store at least four litres (1 gallon) of water per day: two for drinking and two for preparing food, hygiene, and dishwashing. If you are preparing for an emergency, you should have a three-day supply of food and water for each member of your family as a minimum. Seventy-two hours is the generally accepted minimum planning period since emergency services planning by local and state governments is based on the assumption that households will take care of their own food and water needs for the first 72 hours after an event. However, it is advised that you plan for at least two weeks’ worth of supplies, particularly if you live in a remote area. Additionally, don’t forget to factor in water for any pets!
How do I prepare water for emergency barrels use?
There are two primary choices for storing water for emergency use: the first is to have it readily available, and the second is to have the necessary supplies on hand for treating water when needed. Both methods come with their own advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage of Emergency Barrel that is ready to use is that it is immediately available when needed. The disadvantage to this method is that you must have the space to store it, as well as the stored water itself can be quite heavy.
The advantage of having supplies on hand to treat water is that it does not take up as much space. The disadvantages of this method are that it takes time to treat the water and you must have a reliable source of clean water to start with.
The method of water storage depends on the source:
-If the water is from a municipal water source, it is already treated and does not need additional treatment. Fill clean, food-grade containers with tap water and on lids.
-However, if the water is from a well or spring that is known to be bacteria-free but not chemically treated, the water should be purified by adding bleach or boiling it.
The main benefits of water treatment are that it saves space and provides a longer-supply of safe water for consumption. The disadvantages are that the quality of treated water is unknown, not all treatment units are effective for all contaminants, equipment requires regular maintenance, and some systems need electricity to operate.
Water treatment depends on the source of contamination and whether the treatment unit is designed to remove the chemical or microbial organism of concern. For more information, please refer to the Drinking Water Treatment fact sheet.
Store your water in clean and washed plastic, glass, fibreglass, or enamel-lined metal containers. Never use a container that has held poisonous substances as it can contaminate the water. Plastic containers, such as old soft drink bottles, work best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums from a store.
When storing water for emergency purposes, it is important to use clean and washed containers made of plastic, glass, fibreglass, or enamel-lined metal. Never use a container that has held toxic substances before as this can contaminate the water stored inside. The best type of container to use are old plastic soft drink bottles but food-grade plastic buckets or drums work well too and can be purchased from most stores.
