After an emergency, your local water supply may not be available or safe to drink. If this is the case, you will need your own water supply until your water service is restored or an alternate emergency supply is available. Here in the Pacific Northwest, where there is a risk of a major earthquake, your emergency water supply should include enough water to sustain your entire household (pets too!) for 14 days. This is because in the event of a major earthquake, it is likely that local water systems and other infrastructure could be severely damaged, and it will take time for emergency supplies to reach the greater Portland metro area. Until they arrive, you will have to rely on your own resources.

Store what you can, where you can. You have options!

Option 1: Purchase bottled water.

Option 2: Use your own sanitized containers. (if your home has a water heater, this could provide you with 30-80 gallons of water in an emergency). 

See how to safely store emergency water in your own containers with this video:

Types of containers to store your emergency water supply

You can keep your emergency water supply in bottles that you purchase from a store, or you can use your own container. If you purchase commercially bottled water, keep it in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it.

If you choose to store water in your own container, make sure that it has a tight seal, is made of food-grade plastic or steel that is designed to hold water, and is properly sanitized before you fill it with tap water. You can find a variety of food grade containers at most camping or outdoor stores. Two liter soda bottles can also be reused to store water.

Types of containers to avoid:

• Glass: too heavy, may break
• Containers that previously held milk or fruit juice: milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be adequately removed from these containers and provide an environment for bacterial growth

How to sanitize your storage container:

1. Wash the container and lid with dish soap and water
2. Rinse it completely with clean water
3. Mix 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach and one quart of water
4. Pour the bleach water solution into your container
5. Cover the container and shake it for 30 seconds – make sure that the bleach water covers all inside surfaces of the container
6. Pour the bleach water out of the container
7. Air-dry your empty sanitized container
8. Your container is ready to fill

Filling your storage container with water

From your water provider*

1. Fill your sanitized container to the top with water.
2. Tightly close the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap by touching the inside of it with your fingers.
3. Label and date your container so that you know when you filled it.
4. Store it in a cool, dark place.

* Water providers include cities and other municipalities that sell treated water to their customers.

From wells or other untreated sources

1. Fill your sanitized container to the top with water.
2. Add unscented liquid household chlorine bleach to your water (this will ensure that it will be safe to drink). You will need to add 1/8 teaspoon (8 drops or about 0.75 milliliters) of bleach for each gallon (16 cups) of water you store.
3. Tightly close the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap by touching the inside of it with your fingers.
4. Label and date your container so that you know when you filled it. (You should replace your water every six months.)
5. Store it in a cool, dark place.

Where to store your emergency water supply

Your emergency water supply should ideally be stored in a consistently cool, dark location. Storage locations will vary depending on the amount of space that you have available in your home, and the size and number of your storage containers.

If possible, store parts of your water supply throughout your living space. If a disaster damages part of your home, you will still be able to access emergency water. Check the image below for storage ideas inside your home.

 

When to replace your emergency water supply

Water stored in your own containers

Tap water does not expire, but it will begin to taste less "fresh" after being stored in a plastic container for a long time. Check in your emergency water supply every 6 - 12 months and optionally change it out. Plastic soda bottles will also break down over time, so it's a good idea to make sure the container is still in good condition.

Bottled Water

Keep your emergency water fresh by optionally changing it out occasionally (every 6 - 12 months). Bottled water doesn’t expire, but the manufacturer’s best-by date will give you a sense of when the water will taste the best. The plastic bottle will break down over time, so be sure to check your emergency water supply every six months to see if it needs to be replaced.

In an emergency, it is okay to use water that has been stored for more than 6 - 12 months. You may be able to improve the taste slightly by letting it stand for a while, or pouring it from clean container to clean container to expose it to air. As a precaution, you may want to treat water that you’ve stored in your own containers before drinking it.

Things to think about when using larger containers to store emergency water

• Fill larger containers where they will be stored. Water weighs about eight pounds per gallon, so you’ll want to take that into consideration when you go to fill your container. You may be able to lift a five-gallon container when it’s filled (40-pounds) easily, but you’ll need to fill larger containers such as a 55-gallon barrel where you’re going to store it (440 pounds).
• Use these tools to fill and seal larger containers. Since larger containers need to be filled where you plan to store them, you likely need to run a hose from an outdoor spigot or basement faucet in order to fill your container. Be sure to use a drinking water hose rather than your garden hose to fill up your container because they are specifically made for this purpose, and do not contain potentially harmful materials that will leach into your water.
• If you are using a 55-gallon barrel be sure to select a “tight head” barrel (one that has a permanent cover with two small, capped openings, rather than one with a lid that lifts completely off). The small openings will be helpful for getting your emergency water supply in and out of the barrel, and can easily be sealed with caps that can be tightened and removed with a bung wrench.
• Know how you will access the water when you need it or need to switch it out. This could be as simple as a piece of food grade tubing which can be used to siphon water out, or you can purchase a hand or battery-operated pump to access the water.