Water and Energy Relief International

WERI2008

Campaign for CLEAN FRESH WATER EMERGENCY

“Let’s Prepare plan and Stay Informed”

• One gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation.
• Children, nursing mothers, and sick people may need more water.
• If you live in a warm weather climate more water may be necessary.
• Store water tightly in clean plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person.

 

 

 

 

 

ONLY USE WATER THAT HAS BEEN PROPERLY DISINFECTED FOR DRINKING, COOKING, MAKING ANY PREPARED DRINK, OR FOR BRUSHING TEETH.

 

Summary and illustration of key points
Filter murky or colored water through clean cloths or allow it to settle. It is better to both settle and filter.
Boiling is the surest method to make water safe to drink and kill disease-causing microorganisms like Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium, which are frequently found in rivers and lakes.
To improve the flat taste of boiled water, aerate it by pouring it back and forth from one container to another and allow it to stand for a few hours, or add a pinch of salt for each quart or liter of water boiled.
When boiling is not practical, certain chemicals will kill most harmful or disease-causing organisms. Chlorine (in the form of unscented bleach) and iodine are the two chemicals commonly used to treat water.
You can use a non-scented, household chlorine bleach that contains a chlorine compound to disinfect water. (Remember, 1/8 teaspoon and 8 drops are about the same quantity.)
You can use tincture of iodine to disinfect filtered and settled water. Common household iodine from the medicine chest or first aid kit may be used to disinfect water.
Tincture of iodine. For cloudy water add ten drops and let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes.