WATER INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS SOURCES

WATER INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS SOURCES

Notes from Bro. Alan Martindale, City of Mesa Water Quality Supervisor, Utilities Department, Water Division- 7/19/07

Swimming pool water evaporates & solid waste concentrates are left and the water is undrinkable.

Coffee filters to remove sediments from the water work well.

Do not boil water longer than one minute because the mineral content becomes concentrated.

Old bleach is not effective. Bleach is a gas and it dissipates. Use new.

You do NOT have to change out 55 gal. water barrels if this water is for secondary use.

Iodine is not recommended for use as a water purification method.

Brown water is drinkable. Taste and color have nothing to do w/the purity of the water.

Glass containers are an excellent source to store water.

There is no need to be concerned about the ph of the water.

To remove the chlorine, let water sit for two days.

Solar Disinfection: place sport bottles in the sun for six hours on their side. Smaller bottles work better. If it is cloudy, use two days to disinfect the water. If it is raining, it will not work.

Following is the handout from Alan Martindale of the city of Mesa Water Department.  Before the handout titled WATER STORAGE AND PURIFICATION, I am going to add some of the information that he shared on Monday.

 

In the Phoenix area we get our water from three main sources, The lakes, The CAP canal and ground water.  Ground water is used the least of any of these.  Our ground water table is higher than it has been in 20 years.

 

There are some urban myths and legends that he dispelled during the class.  I will list the things it is okay to do.

1. You can freeze water bottles without any damage or breakdown of the bottles.


2. You can keep bottle in the garage if it is the only place that you have.  There is no real fear of the bottles breaking down.  However it does cut down on their storage life just as with food.


3. The chemicals and pharmaceuticals and lotions that are in the water are not in any way harmful.  Substance in the water is measured in parts per million.  These things are found in parts per quadrillion.


4. Plastic barrels and containers can be stored on the ground and on the cement without fear of radon gas leaking into the containers.

 

We should prepare in two ways first need water and second need water.

FIRST NEED WATER

First need water is the water we will use for drinking and cooking.  Following are the best ways to store this water

This should be stored in a cool dark place like under the beds or in the closets

     ½ - 1 ½ liter sports bottles

     2-5 gallon polycarbonate bottles

     mylar bags

SECOND NEED WATER

Second need water is the water we use for washing, dishes, and personal needs

It doesn’t matter much where this is stored other than out of direct sunlight because it causes the barrels to crack and break.  Under citrus tress and in the garage are fine.

     30-55 gallon drum

     toilet tanks (the back part if it is untreated)

     Swimming pools  (NO! This is never a first need)

            Chlorine resistant critters

            Pool chemicals harmful

            High mineral content causes dysentery and problems with internal organs

            Low portability factor

 

I Hope this information will be helpful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Storage and Purification

(Updated June 07)

 

Water is one of the most important survival necessities after an earthquake or other major disaster.  A person can survive weeks without food, but only a few days without water.

 

Emergency Water Supply

 

Health department and public water safety officials use many safeguards to protect the sanitary quality of your daily drinking water.  However, this protection may break down during emergencies caused by natural disasters.

 

During times of serious emergency, the normal water supply to your home may be cut off or become so polluted that it is undrinkable.  A supply of stored water could be your most precious survival item!

 

You and your family may be on your own to secure safe and adequate water supplies.  Remember that typhoid fever, Dysentery, and infectious hepatitis are diseases often associated with unsafe water.

 

Required Amounts of Drinking Water Per Person

 

A minimum of one-gallon of water is needed per day, depending on the size of the person, the amount of exertion, weather and perspiration loss.   A minimum of 14 gallons pure water per person would be needed for a two-week survival supply.  With careful rationing, this amount would be sufficient for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, etc.  An additional ½ to 1 gallon per person per day will allow for hygiene care.

 

Potable Water Containers and Proper Storage

 

1. Commercially available bottled water.  Sport bottles 1/2 to 1-1/2 liter sizes are excellent for long-term storage if kept in a cool, dark place.  These are especially convenient for 72-hour emergency use.  The larger 2 to 5 gallon polycarbonate water bottles will also store very well for long-term use (5+ years).  The one-gallon water containers similar to milk jugs are not well suited to long-term storage, as they will begin to disintegrate.  If these are used, they should be used and replaced every six months.

 

2. 5 to 55 gallon barrels.  These are best for storing water for non-potable uses in a long-term situation.  Although the water can be retreated by boiling or chlorine addition before using if necessary.

 

3. Mylar bags or pouches.  These containers can keep water indefinitely if properly stored in a cool, dark location.

 

Existing water sources in the home

• Water drained from the water heater faucet provided it remains upright (water will drain easier if a faucet in the home is turned on).


• Water dipped from the flush tank of the toilet.  Purify this water before using.  Use the bowl water for pets; do not use chemically “blue” water.

 

• Melted ice cubes


• Canned fruit and/or vegetable juices and liquids from other canned goods


• Water from swimming pool-ONLY AFTER OTHER SOURCES OF PURE WATER ARE EXHAUSTED. (Swimming pools may harbor bacteria or the Cryptosporidium parasite that chemicals cannot kill and the chlorine and pool acids produce salts that will harm your kidneys and other organs.  Also, increased mineral content in pool water can cause dysentery.)

 

Do NOT use water from:

• Hot water boilers (home heating system)


• Radiators


• Waterbeds (Fungicide added to the water or chemical substances in the vinyl may cause the water to become undrinkable.)

 

Water Quality Standards for Emergency Use

 

In a full-scale emergency, the normal water quality standards as outlined in U.S. Public Health Service publications, will be suspended. Primary consideration will be bacteriological and chemical safety, with a minimum amount of attention to palatability and appearance.

 

Consideration should be given to the following points:

 

1. Water should be obtained only from sources that can reasonably be sure to be free from radioactive or chemical contamination.

 

2. Water for drinking and cooking purposes should be stored and imported only in containers that have been disinfected properly.  Common household bleach mixed 1 part bleach to 10 parts water will work well.

 

3. Where clarification or filtration of raw water is not possible; provision should be made for a 24-hour settling time prior to chlorinating and dispensing.

 

4. All water should be disinfected as described in Methods of Emergency Disinfection.

 

Curtailment of Non-Essential Uses of Water

 

In an extreme emergency, first consideration for use of available water must be for drinking and cooking purposes.  Until water to meet these needs is assured, all other uses must be considered non-essential.

 

As additional water becomes available, it will be necessary to separate the water that can be made suitable for potable use and those which cannot.

 

Priorities for use of both categories of water will be dictated by the urgency of the demand.  All uses of water not directly necessary for the preservation of the health and sanitation of the public must be restricted to sources not suitable for potable use.  All unnecessary use of water, such as watering flowers or ornamental plants, washing of vehicles, machinery, etc., must be prohibited.

 

 

 

 

Methods of Emergency Disinfection

 

Strain out any sediment or particles from the water by pouring through several layers of cheesecloth, paper towel or coffee filters, then use one of the following purification methods:

 

1. Boiling—Vigorous boiling (rolling boil) for ONE FULL minute will kill any disease-causing bacteria present in water.  The flat taste of boiled water can be improved by pouring it back and forth from one container into another, by allowing it to stand for a few hours or by adding a small pinch of salt for each quart of water boiled.

 

2. Chemical Treatment—When boiling is not practical, chemical disinfecting should be used.  The best commonly available chemical is chlorine.

 

1. Chlorine Bleach—Common household bleach (unscented) contains a chlorine compound, which will disinfect water.  The procedure to be followed is usually written on the label.  When necessary procedure is not given, one should find the percentage of available chlorine on the label and use the following information as a guide.

 

Add liquid bleach with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) in the following amounts:

 

            Water Amount              Cloudy Water               Clear Water

            1 quart                         4 drops                                    2 drops

            1 gallon                        16 drops                      8 drops

            5 gallons                       1 teaspoon                   ½ teaspoon

            55 gallons                     4 tablespoons               2 tablespoons

 

The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes.  The water should have a slight chlorine odor, if not, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes.  If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made more palatable by allowing the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.

 

2. Chlorine Tablets—Chlorine tablets containing the necessary dosage for water disinfecting can be purchased from drug and sporting goods stores and should be used as stated in the instructions.  When no instructions are available, use one tablet for each quart of water to be purified.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Prepare and Store Bottles of Purified Water

 

Keep the drinking water safe from contamination by carefully storing in clean non-corrosive, tightly covered containers.  Use one-gallon containers, preferably made of heavy opaque plastic with screw-on caps.  Cleaned and sanitized 2-liter soda pop bottles work well.  Sport water bottles prepared commercially work very well for long term storage.  Plastic milk bottles are not recommended.

 

 

1. Wash bottles with soapy water, then rinse thoroughly.


2. Run about 3 quarts tap water into one of the containers, then add ¾ cup bleach to the water.


3. Shake well, turning upside down a time or two so that the stopper will be sterilized also.


4. Let the mixture stand for 2 to 3 minutes, then pour it into the next container.  You can use the same chlorinated water for several containers.


5. Fill the empty bottle with pure or purified water and seal it tightly closed with cap or stopper.


6. Label with “Drinking Water-Purified” and the date of preparation.


7. Water purification tablets may also be used and are available in drug stores and sporting goods stores.  They are recommended for your First Aid Kit.  Four tablets will purify one quart of water.


8. Some stored water may develop a disagreeable appearance, taste or odor.  These properties are not necessarily harmful.  Inspect your water supply every few months to see whether the containers have leaked or other undesirable conditions have developed.  Replace the water if it becomes contaminated.

 

Portable Water Purification Equipment

 

A high quality filter system should possess the following characteristics:

• Light-weight                            


• Have fewer parts (less to go wrong)


• A fine pre-filter


• A replaceable or clearable filter


• Tight, well-made pump


• High volume output


• Quick filtration


• Should be rated to screen out organisms over 0.5 microns (0.2 microns is best)

 

A system with all of these features may not be inexpensive, however.  The cost will usually reflect reliability as well as technology of design.

 

Always use a filter properly.  Use clearest water available, allowing suspended matter to settle out.  Use pre-filter if your system has one.  Do not let outlet end of filter come in contact with contaminated water.  Be sure vessel you’re pumping into is clean.

Sanitize all bottles using ¼ cup Clorox to 1 quart of water.

 

Portable Water Purification Equipment will not treat swimming pool water to potable standards.

 

WEBSITES

 

Utah State University

http://extension.usu.edu/files/foodpubs/fn176.pdf

 

EPA

http://epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg.html

 

 

 

FEMA    Are you ready?

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/

Food and Water video 4 1/2 minutes (online)

1-800-480-2520

 

SODIS   http://www.sodis.ch/

 

AQUASTAR   http://www.uvaquastar.com/