Submitted by: Gabrielgm Deleon
Need to clean up? Jump in the shower. There may come a day though, even if for a short period of time, when these conveniences may go away. The Gulf Coast during hurricane Katrina, and more recently the earthquake in Haiti, are two extreme examples of this. If water was not available from your municipality or store for one day, how would you provide water for yourself and family? What about 3 days, or even a week? Perhaps it is time to invest in an emergency water supply.
When sizing your emergency water supply, keep in mind the human body needs to consume about 2 quarts of water a day to survive. This can vary depending on various factors such as your age, health, and geographic location. You will also want to consider water for other basic requirements like personal hygiene and cooking (you do have an emergency food supply, right?). Once you determine how many gallons per person you will need each day you will have to decide how many days worth of water may be needed. This can be anywhere from a few days to a week or two. Just remember when it comes to water in an emergency situation, more is always better.
Bottled water can be good for water blackouts that last for only a day or two. For most emergency water supplies, however, you will want to consider a water tank for your water storage. Water tanks can come in many different sizes and configurations. Your first decision will be if you want the tank above or below ground.
Above ground storage tanks
Polyethylene above ground water storage tanks are both durable and lightweight, excellent for bulk storage of water either indoors our out. If you decide to store the water outdoors, be sure to get a tank that is pigmented and opaque to deter algae growth. If you are in an area where freezing temperatures occur do make sure to leave some room in the tank for ice expansion. You may prefer to situate your tank indoors, either in your house, garage, or outbuilding. Specialty Water Closet tanks are made specifically to fit through doorways to store water in your house. Areas with larger access points could use inexpensive vertical water storage tanks, 55 gallon polyethylene drums, or even polyethylene water transport tanks depending on what space you have to work with. Whatever you decide, the security of your tank should be taken into consideration. Avoid locating your tank where it is visible or accessible to any passerby. Deciding to share your water in times of need is one thing, having it taken from you is another.
Below ground water tanks
Below ground polyethylene cisterns or fiberglass water storage tanks offer a means of covertly storing large quantities of water. Tank sizes range from 325 gallons up to 10,000 gallons and above. Below ground systems will typically be more expensive per gallon and usually employ (but not required to have) a pump system to retrieve the water.
Smaller below ground cisterns designed to go in the ground completely empty can also be used to store dry emergency supplies such as food, medical supplies, clothes, etc. All of these important items need to be safely and securely stored. A small below ground cistern is a great place to keep these future valuable commodities.
About the Author: For inquiries or added details about emergency water provide and catastrophe preparedness, make sure you contact Loomis Tank Centers at (800) 549-5514 or electronic mail information@loomistank.com.
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