After the Earthquake You Will Need Water

Recent quakes got you feeling a bit jumpy? Use that energy: Stock up on WATER. TODAY. It’s one of the smartest, simplest things you can do to prepare. When the ground shakes, pipes break. Broken pipes will carry contaminated, or zero, water to your house. Water is essential to life. You can buy bottled water in many forms – or you can refill containers you already have. Avoid containers that held milk or juice – and rotate them out every 6 months. Purchase bottled water in clear plastic – not the milky material. Tuck as many gallons away as you can – under your bed, in the back of the closet, under the sink.

Fill up old water bottles and tuck them in the sides of your car. Store water in the suitcases that otherwise are standing empty. Get creative!

The guidance is… 1 gallon per person per day. That covers drinking, cooking, and minimal hygiene. The goal is two weeks (14 gallons for every person in the household) but get as close as you can with the storage you have available.

If you have a hot water tank, print out the document at this link and tape it to the appliance. It will provide guidance on how to access the 30-50 gallons of water it holds. It will also explain how to sanitize water for drinking.