Emergency Water Storage Systems

What if one day you opened the faucet and nothing came out? What if there was water and you knew that it was undrinkable?

Most people in the US have never had to concern themselves with these issues. People that live in hurricane, flood, and drought areas, places with lead pipes, as well as those where industrial or mining activity have polluted local waterways are familiar with the problem. Overall though, US citizens have been able to turn on the tap and get reasonably safe water. That convenience can change rapidly in times of trouble.

Each person in your family needs a minimum of 1.5 gallons of clean water every day.

Each person needs a bare minimum of 1 gallon of safe water each day, for consumption, food prep/cooking, and minimal washing. More realistically, that baseline needs to be 1.5 gallons per day. That excludes true bathing and no showering. Those luxuries require much more water.

Additionally, the water used needs to be clean—chemically and pathogenically or the water itself can cause harm. In fact, water can be “weaponized” by bad actors that contaminate supplies chemically, pathogenically, or even with radioactive fallout.

In emergency times, available clean water can quickly become a challenge to acquire, maintain, and protect. In some instances, even when water flows from your tap, it may be undrinkable or unsafe.

Extreme weather, grid down, acts of terrorism, and more, can cause a water supply to become unavailable or unusable, temporarily or for a very long time. More than even food, clean water sustains life in humans, pets, and crops. No access to clean water is a dire tragedy for your family and community. Lack of water in your neighborhood can create such anguish that once friendly neighbors, desperate for water, can turn into serious threats.

There are 3 aspects to consumable clean water

Acquisition

When the tap has run dry or is spewing unsafe water, new sources of filterable water are needed. There are multiple possibilities that you may not be aware of, on or near your property, or elsewhere in your community.

Storage

Emergency water is unlikely to be available steadily. Your family will need to store enough water for their needs for enough time that they are sustained until additional water can be acquired. Storage tanks vary immensely and can be located within your home, outside above ground, underground, or even as dual purpose storage systems.

Filtering

Safety/cleanliness is obviously the most important aspect of emergency water. Most sourced emergency water is inherently not drinkable when acquired. Understanding the origin of water and what the potential contaminants/pollutants are is paramount, so that the water can be reasonably filtered and made potable.

State of Readiness provides personalized assessment, guidance, sourcing, and installation of custom water acquisition, storage, and filtration systems that meet your family’s needs and budget. Our custom emergency water systems are designed to provide you with a dependable and workable water supply in most any situation. Stay prepared with State of Readiness – because when the need is obvious, it’s too late.

TAP HERE to get your Compact Emergency Water Storage Tank

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't we store bottled water?

Absolutely, however, it’s inefficient, expensive, wastes enormous space and can be hard to obtain especially in prolonged emergencies or when there is water rationing. Also, water needs to be consumed within 6 months to minimize contamination, so bottles need regular replacement or cleaning.

Can't we use bottles/jugs we already have?

Yes, however, if you calculate out your family’s needs (we suggest a minimum of 30 days of water reserves, but 90 is a better bet), that’s a lot of bottles. Most people don’t have sufficient bottles on hand and they have to be cleaned of anything in them prior so that they meet potable water standards.

Is it illegal to store large quantities of water?

Purchasing water in containers is completely legal. Filling containers is generally unrestricted, but it is possible that some towns have guidelines or restrictions, most likely on how/where water is obtained. State of Readiness always advises clients to investigate local laws/ordinances, understand, and respect them, when making readiness plans and taking actions.

Can't stored water freeze and leak?

Yes, we take that into consideration when giving guidance on where and how to store emergency water.

Are your systems gravity feed or do they require a pump?

The system/storage design process will take those considerations into account and craft a system that meets your family’s needs, even when there is no grid electricity to power a pump.

Do we need a building permit or other approvals to store water or install an emergency water storage system?

Depending upon the type, size, and pumping requirements of the system that’s right for your family, some towns might have jurisdiction over site location/placement, system construction, or something else. Always check with your municipality to see if there are requirements that need consideration in the storage system design/installation phases.

Emergency notices often suggest filling a bathtub with water for emergency use. Isn't that the same thing.

Bathtubs and (tank style) hot water heaters are a source of emergency water storage and a good idea to implement in a pinch. If the emergency lasts less than a week, those solutions can work for you. Filling a bathtub is only viable when you have advance warning and both bathtubs and hot water heaters only hold a limited amount of water that won’t last for prolonged scenarios like ongoing shortages.

What does an emergency water storage system cost?

As with many other things, it completely depends upon the system features, size, location, and construction type desired. It’s possible to have water storage for under $500. Complete systems will cost multiples of that.