Storing water

Follow these guidelines to make sure you and your family have enough clean water after a disaster.

  • Put aside at least three litres of clean drinking water per person, per day (at least 9 litres per person for the three days). This equates to four 2.25 litre soft-drink bottles.
  • Make sure your hot water cylinder and header tank are braced with metal straps to prevent them from falling over. www.eq-iq.org.nz
  • You will also need water for:
    • washing and cooking food for every meal
    • washing dishes and utensils after every meal
    • washing yourself (one litre per day for each person)

Drinking water
To store enough drinking water for three days, prepare six large, plastic soft drink bottles of water per person, including children. Add some extra for pets.
Wash bottles thoroughly in hot water.

  • Fill each bottle with tap water until it overflows. Add five drops of household bleach, eg, Janola, per litre of water and put in storage. (Half a teaspoon (2.5ml) per 10 litres of water.) Do not drink for at least 30 minutes after disinfecting.
  • Make sure there are no air gaps and place the lids on tightly.
  • Label each bottle with dates showing when the bottles were filled and when they need to be refilled.
  • Check the bottles every 12 months (eg, at the beginning or end of daylight saving). If the water is not clear, throw it out and refill clean bottles with clean water and bleach.
  • Store bottles in two separate places, somewhere dark away from direct sunlight where there is not likely to be flooding.
  • Alternatively, fill plastic ice cream containers with water, cover, label and keep in the freezer. These can help keep food cool if the power is off and can also be used for drinking.
  • Keep a supply of ice cubes and fruit juices.


Cooking, dishes, washing yourself
You can use water for cooking, dishes, and washing yourself from these house supplies:

  • hot water cylinder and header tank
  • toilet cistern. This water is only safe to use if no chemical toilet cleanser is present.


Other Handy Tips:

  • Wash your hands well. If water is in very short supply keep some in a bowl with disinfectant added, but change frequently.
  • Check your stored water by holding it up to the light. If it has anything floating in it or is not clear, strain and boil for three minutes or add five drops of household bleach (eg, Janola) per litre of water and stand for 30 minutes before drinking. (1/2 teaspoon to 10 litres.)
  • Collect rain water by either placing a clean container outside to catch rain or by disconnecting the down pipe from the roof and filling a container. Boil water for three minutes before drinking or disinfect with household bleach (1/2 teaspoon to 10 litres). Reserve one clean utensil to use as a dipper.

DO...

  • Use a bucket or bowl for washing. Throw the used water over the land or put into a hole and covered with soil. Don't put it down the toilet or drains.
  • Switch off power to the hot water cylinder if the water supply fails.
  • Use spa and swimming pool water, if available, for keeping yourself clean and washing clothes.

DO NOT...

  • collect drinking water from the roof if it is contaminated with ash, smoke deposits or other debris.
  • Drink water from the town supply unless you have been advised that it is fit for drinking.
  • Assume domestic water filters are effective. They can become contaminated.
  • Drink water from a private well if it has been flooded.
  • Waste water on cleaning clothes.