Water, our life source.

With the winter wonderland across Canada and the northern U.S. becoming more of a winter wasteland, the drinking water we have available during power outages that have kept some people in the dark for weeks now, becomes the most precious gift besides heat and a long hot bath that we long for. Some things to know about this commodity:

- if you have water but are unsure of its safety for drinking, boil it for at least 10 minutes. This will kill microorganisms. Pour it between two containers to add oxygen to it, which will improve the taste of the water.

- If you have household bleach, – not the kind with fragrance, additional cleaners, or color-safe bleaches, use about 2 drops of bleach per litre or quart of water. Use 2 more drops if the water is cloudy. Stir it and let it sit for 30 minutes before using. You should be able to detect a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat the above, with two drops at a time. This will also kill microorganisms.

- Distillation – this is the surefire method to rid your water of contaminants such as metals, chemicals, and salts. Take the lid of the pot you are going to boil the water in. Tie a cup right side up underneath the lid, tying it onto the handle of the lid. Fill the pot halfway with water, and boil for 20 minutes. The water that drips from under the lid into the cup that is tied there, will be your distilled water.

Realize that if the water is from a murky source in which there are strange colors and debris, you should not be using it whatsoever. But if I was in that situation, and it was all that there was, and I was at the dehydration point, then I would use the above methods to work on it before I take the chance on it. Also strain the water first in a situation like that by pouring through paper towels or a clean cloth, into a container. Do that anyway for water from rivers, and other outdoor souces. Saltwater can be used only if you distill it first.

- emergency water sources in the home can include the following: hot water tanks, and the toilet tank (not the toilet bowl). For hot water tanks, be sure the electricity or gas is off and open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Turn off the water intake valve, turn on a hot water faucet, and the water will start flowing out of the drain. Do not turn on the electricity or gas if the tank is empty.

- if you hear that there are broken water lines or sewage lines in your area, you’ll need to shut off your incoming water valve so your water supply will not be contaminated.

One more thing to remember: these are good methods, but they are not absolutely perfect. I would use a couple or a few methods combined depending on where I got my water from.

If I were planning in advance, I would consider the water purification product below that keeps stored water up to 5 years in good form. Its not expensive and it is well worth the peace of mind. The water barrel and attachment are listed below and can contain 30 gallons but there are also larger ones you can look at. The water purification tablets are to carry with you for trips and unexpected situations, so I would want them in my emergency survival kit also.

COMPLETE 30 GAL WATER STORAGE SYSTEM