WATER STORAGE

Store a two week supply of water for each member of your family (14 gallons per person).
Store 64 ounces per person in 72 hour emergency kits.
STORING WATER:
Purchase water (for emergency storage) only in containers with the “PET” or “PETE” (#1 recycling symbol). Check the expiration date on the bottles. Store water only in food grade containers. Do not use milk containers. If possible, use containers that are BPA (a harmful chemical) free. You can sanitize containers (e.g. empty juice bottles) by using a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to each quart or liter of water. Make sure you sanitize the lid as well. Empty the sanitizing solution and fill with clean water. Empty and refill stored water at least yearly.
Stored water will loose oxygen and taste flat. Pour water from one clean container to another to re-oxygenate.

PURIFYING WATER:
Boiling: The safest method. Boil for 5 minutes at sea level; add 1 minute for each additional 1000 feet above sea level. Boiling does not destroy radioactivity or remove chemicals. Boiled water may taste “flat.” See above instructions to re-oxygenate.
Bleach Method: Any household bleach solution that contains hypochlorite as its only active ingredient will purify water. Bleach solutions with 5.2% sodium hypochlorite are most common (check bleach expiration date). Add 8 drops of bleach to one gallon of clear water and 16 drops to bleach to one gallon of cloudy water. Use only regular (not ultra) bleach that has no added fragrances.
Filters: There are a number of filters on the market. Filters can also reduce and/or remove chemicals. Make sure it can filter to at least .2 microns to remove giardia and cryptosporidium. The Lifesaver brand will filter out viruses as well. It will filter to .015 microns (considerably smaller than most portable systems).
MIOX method: Used by the military. Uses salt to make mixed oxidants which inactivate organisms. A small unit can treat a lot of water. It will take up to 4 hours to eliminate all microorganisms. Store extra batteries.
Ultra violet light method: UV light can be used to inactivate organisms. The SteriPEN from Emergency Essentials is such a devise. It will inactivate all organisms including giardia and cryptosporidium. Water must be very clear or the light will not be able to get to all the microorganisms. It works very fast as apposed to the MIOX. Water treated this way must be completely free of debris. If you choose this method, stir the UV pen around in the water to make sure all the molecules have been treated and have not been shaded by debris.
Iodine method: Ordinary household 2% tincture of iodine can be used to purify small amounts of water. Add 3 drops of tincture of iodine to each quart of clear water, 6 drops for a cloudy quart. Be sure family members are NOT allergic to iodine.
Because it is impractical to store a year’s supply of water in most places, it may be wise to store water purifying agents. There are a number available on the market. A pinch of salt can improve the taste of treated water.