WHY YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE A THREE DAY SUPPLY OF WATER

Water is Life by Williami5 via Flicker

Having water is essential for survival. This we know. Over the years however a massive campaign was launched to get ALL Americans to have At Least three days of water stored for emergencies. This then become 72 hours. Over time the message of At Least three days seems to have become lost.

In fact over the last year I have seen some messages put out by local Emergency Management Offices around the country change this message to a week or a months worth of water. This is a good thing.

Though, I have written about this before as a Disaster Tip of the Week as, Is 72 Hours Enough To Prepare For Disaster this message of storing water for emergencies, has still become lost.

Basically, the PR campaign for three days worth of water was so effective that people "hear" they only need three days of water and end up not storing any. Thinking they can get by for three days or it is such a small amount they really do not need it.

So. How much water do you really need? Well. That is a great question. It is normally stated that you NEED 1 gallon of water per person in your home per day. This amount is supposed to take care of all your needs. From sanitation to drinking. Have you ever tried to get by using only 1 gallon of water per day? This amount also does not account for pets and other needs. So, you will need extra for them.

If you live in a warmer climate, plan on being active, have medical or special needs, you are going to require an increased amount for drinking.

Though I will consult people to have greater amounts on an individual basis. As a general rule, I believe 3 gallons per person/ plus 1 gallon per pet, extra activity per day for one week is a good water storage plan.

Yes. That is a lot of water to store. However, when your tap stops flowing you wont regret the "extra" you have on hand. See also Treating Water.

Comments

[Sheneita Bailey]

To add some clarification on the importance of having a sufficient water supply during a disaster it is important to keep in mind the recommended daily intake of water for a healthy adult is 2 to 3 liters a day. This amount may increase due to warm climates or health conditions. One gallon of water equals approximately 3.79 liters. So it is evident that a gallon of water a day for an individual is not enough when you add in the factors of bathing and toileting needs. I agree it is smart to have a greater supply of water per individual. During disaster preparedness it is smart to be proactive so you can effectively be reactive.

[jimLE]

im thinking at least 4 gallons(15.142 liters) to 6 gallons (22.712 liters) is the least amount a person may need on any given day..this not only for drinking.but for everyday things as well.like washing dishes,washing hands,personal hygiene,cooking.and there'll be days that a person wont be able to go out and get more water some where.and even then,if a person has to purify it before drinking it.then they need plenty of fresh water on hand while the dirty water is being cleaned and purified...some many scenarios can cause a person to run out of water,if their not propery prepared.

[April]

I must say I agree with this post. three days no chance. During the Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand Earthquakes of 2011 water was non existent, three days had passed and still no water in sight. Infrastructure was down for many days. Once water systems where put in the place it was a very trying experience. Walking long distances and carrying very heavy buckets, bottles and rubbish bins. The water situation after an earthquake can take its toll that's for sure. If preparing for water you will need at least a two week supply. How much you need depends on your own body. Putting extra water systems in place on your property is very beneficial. Bottled water is fine, if you have the space to store it. Rain water systems and purifying units are a good idea. artesian wells are great if you can find them in your area and I did after a few weeks of looking, if you can find the wells in your area before an event you will be a lot better of mentally and physically. Also remembering that water can be strongly contaminated after an earthquake.

[Clare]

This post was informative and I appreciate that you have erred on the side of safety, recommending three gallons of water per day, for not only drinking and hydration, but for sanitation purposes as well. As a nurse, I am aware of the physical toll dehydration takes on the body, but also of the water-borne illnesses that can occur following a disaster and a lack of safe water supply.

[C Eaton]

Working in the medical field this is an important topic. One of the most important things with your health is staying hydrated, It is disturbing to think that the message of the most important thing to have in an emergency has gone by the wayside. There are so many things that can medically go wrong when a person is dehydrated. System by system the body will begin to shut down.

[EPlus Charger]

Thanks for the post, Keith. Just shared some of your advice with our readers. Water is of utmost importance!!!

[Tiffany Montenegro]

Keith, I enjoyed reading your blog. Having water is very important, especially during disasters. I read into what other recommendations were as far as how much water would be needed. According to the American Red Cross (2006), they state “Consider storing at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. If you are unable to store this quantity, store as much as you can” (p. 7, para. 2). When I think of a three day supply of water, it really isn’t much. In order to prepare for disasters such as hurricanes or tornados, having at least two weeks of water is sufficient. As you brought up, those who have medical conditions or live in warmer climates will probably need more. Working as a nurse, majority of my patients need water in order to take their pills. Some will take pills with just a gulp and others need almost two cups of water. In such disasters, water plays a significant role.

American Red Cross. (2006). Food and Water in an Emergency. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4440181_Food_and_Water-English.revised_7-09.pdf

[Brian Sharp]

I agree, water is the most important supply to have on hand. Recently in my region there have been several public water systems that have had issues. Citizens in these ares were left without the normal supply of water and had to resort to other means. One city ended up passing out water through the local fire department. The amount of water that was given out would not be sufficient, in my opinion. I personally have enough water for a week.