Floods are being predicted again for the spring of 2010 in some regions of the nation due to record snowfalls during the cold months of winter. Compounding the inevitable property damages due to flooding will be a scarcity of fresh drinking water as streams, rivers, and lakes become contaminated. You never know where a flood or other disaster may hit, so it is critical that everyone know what to do before drinking the murky, foul-tasting water that’s left behind. It’s necessary that you know the steps to emergency water filtration techniques so that you can keep your family safe.
The very best approach to handle contaminated water is as simple as boiling it. Boiling removes almost all of the pathogens and other contaminants in water so that it is safe. If your water remains cloudy after it’s been boiled, you could filter it through a clean cloth to take out larger particles then store it in a clean, covered container.
Unfortunately, disaster conditions that require water filtration in the first place often go hand-in-hand with a damaged utilities which means that you will not be able to boil water. You can try disinfecting the water with the addition of 8 drops of common unscented chlorine bleach to one gallon of water then allowing the water to settle. It’s still better if after you’ve allowed the water to settle you filter it through clean cloths until it looks clear.
In addition to the methods of disinfecting water described above, there are a variety of basic filtering devices you can purchase to keep on hand for just this kind of situation. The easiest of these include filtered drinking straws and sports bottles which enable you to drink almost immediately. There’s also larger machines which will decontaminate several gallons of water daily so that you will have enough for cooking and sanitation along with drinking. Numerous family-sized machines can be purchased for under $100.
The body needs water. This is exactly why you see pictures of people in other countries drinking dirty water although they understand it may cause them to become sick. Their bodies just demand it. Knowing the steps available for you to disinfect water should a disaster situation hit your area could mean the difference between life and death for a family. Keeping water filtering materials in your home all the time, whether or not they’re just bleach and clean rags, is one of the smartest things that you can do.