Methods of Emergency Water Purification in the Wake of a Disaster
You hear about a natural weather disaster or other emergency nearly every day. If something took place in your area, would you know how to find water for you and your family to drink? Next to the air we breathe, water is the most critical item for human life. Over 60% of the adult human body is made up of water. Having clean drinking water is something the majority of people take for granted, but in a disaster situation, the water you get from your tap may be contaminated. Knowing enough to stay away from contaminated water and how to use emergency water purification could be the difference between life and death. Here are some water safety facts you should know.
Sources of Contamination in Water
During an emergency, listen to emergency news reports to know if usual municipal water systems have been contaminated. For instance, a weather crisis such as a cyclone, hurricane, or even an earthquake, could contaminate the water system. Wait until you get some directions from emergency staffers prior to drinking tap water following an emergency. Sources of contamination in water are caused by problems outside of the home which are due to micro-organisms and bacteria that usually cannot be seen with the eye. Gulping water from an outside source could mean taking in contaminated water that contains hazardous or even deadly diseases or bacteria. The diseases or bacteria could incubate in your body from one day to as many as a few weeks before symptoms occur. Occasionally there won’t be any symptoms or you could exhibit symptoms that include diarrhea, bloody fecal matter, abdominal pain and cramping, upset stomach and vomiting, or fever.
Stay Away From This Water Totally!
To keep from getting sickness, bacteria, or disease from contaminated water take every precaution you can to avoid drinking from these sources of water.
- Waterbeds may not be in style anymore, but if you still have one, skip drinking the water it has inside it. It could easily be contaminated with pesticides and other chemicals that stop the growth of algae, fungi, and bacteria. If these substances are not in the water, the algae, fungi and bacteria will be so you still do not want this within your body.
- If you come across a source of water that is cloudy and full of trash, don’t drink it.
- At times when you are not sure about the safety of water, be cautious and sterilize or purify the water prior to drinking it.
- Don’t use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, cleanse your hands, make ice cubes, or prepare baby formula. These are other ways that contaminated water could get into your system.
- Completely avoid water with toxic chemicals or radioactive materials. Listen to emergency broadcasts to find out about these sources. Then avoid this source of water completely. Take their suggestions for securing an emergency water supply.
These are just a few of the sources of potential contaminated water. Look for resources to secure additional information. If you have a baby to feed, buy an emergency cache of baby formula that does not need to have water added. To maintain cleanliness, find an alcohol-based hand cleaner to wash your hands. Undoubtedly, clean water is the most critical item you need to have to endure during an emergency. If you don’t get any other emergency items, be sure to organize your water sources and find out where to obtain an emergency water purification system if needed.
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