InspectAPedia ^®

This chapter outlines possible places to obtain some drinking water in an emergency following a disaster such as an earthquake, flood, or fire and before rescue workers have arrived. In a companion article,DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY PURIFICATION, we describe methods that can be used to purify or sanitize drinking water in an emergency.

In Flood Response Checklist we outline key actions you should take after building flooding to minimize mold damage, and includes some safety warnings. Our photo at page top shows some brownish water in a toilet tank: actually the water was fine, the stain was from iron and rust in the original water supply - materials accumulated on the interior of the toilet tank. The water we removed was clear and sanitary.

Before entering a building that has been affected by a disaster such as fire, earthquake, or flood, See BUILDING ENTRY PROCEDURE for some safety warnings for occupants, building owners, or volunteers who may find themselves indoors in a disaster area and without immediate assistance from rescue workers or other experts

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

How to Obtain Emergency Drinking Water after Area Flooding, Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Fires

Some of the water sources listed below may be considered as desperate measures appropriate for people trapped in a building or those whom emergency relief workers have been unable to reach.

How to obtain emergency drinking water after flooding:

• Water heaters as a source of emergency drinking water: You may be able to obtain safe water from undamaged water heaters.
  
  Even though the water heater in our photograph has been flooded, it may be possible to extract potable water from inside the water tank.
  
  Be sure that a basement like the one we show is actually safe to enter before approaching the water tank, including safety from structural collapse, electrical shock, or toxins in the standing water on the floor.
  
  Never try to drain water from a water heater tank without being sure that the electrical power to the unit is off.
  
  It will be easier to get water running out of the tank drain near the bottom of the water heater (that valve shown below the lower red panel in our photo), if you can let air into the water tank as water is running out. This can be accomplished by opening a nearby hot water valve at a fixture higher than the water tank, or by opening the relief valve or a water shutoff valve air bleeder on the water tank itself.
  
  Be sure that the drain used to remove such water has been cleaned and that you use a clean container to collect the water. If the water from the tank has been exposed to flood waters but looks clear it may still be contaminated and it may need to be boiled or disinfected.

Rooftop water tanks and cisterns may be available and are a good source of potable water in most cases as the tanks are more likely to have remained above floodwaters on taller buildings.

• Rainwater: if rain continues to fall, use a clean container to collect rainwater, possibly from a downspout; but that water should not be considered safe for drinking before it has been sterilized, because it has run over a building rooftop and through possibly unsanitary gutters and downspouts.

Advice If Using a Garden hose to collect emergency drinking water

Do not collect water from a water heater, water pressure tank, or rooftop tank by using a garden hose that was contaminated by floodwaters unless the hose has been properly cleaned and disinfected.

How to Treat Water to Sanitize it For Drinking

Beware that most advice about purifying water, including the tips we have collected below, address biological contaminants in water, such as bacteria. But be careful. If your water supply has become contaminated by pesticides, heavy metals, or other chemicals, disinfecting the water will not correct those unsafe conditions. The principal methods used to purify water when camping or in an emergency include:

• Boil the water
• Use chlorine (bleach, sodium hypochlorite) to purify the water
• Use iodine or an iodine product to purify the water. Our photo (above/left) shows Potable Aqua® water purification germicidal tablets used for emergency drinking water supply.
• Use a water purifying pump such as models sold by camping equipment suppliers to purify the water

Water purification alternatives and water purification procedures are described in detail at   DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY PURIFICATION.

Share this Article      

...

Technical Reviewers & References

Search InspectAPedia

• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia^® Website
• InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
• Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP A Guide to Mold Cleanup Procedures
  FLOODS & MOLD CLEAN/PREVENT A Guide to Dealing with Flood Damage & Mold Prevention &r Cleanup of Flooded Homes
  FIRST PRIORITIES When Responding to a Flooded Building
  BUILDING ENTRY PROCEDURE How to Enter a Building After a Building Flood
  DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY PURIFICATION How to purify emergency drinking water, how to remove odors
  DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY SOURCES Where to find drinking water in an emergency
  ELECTRICAL SAFETY for Flood Damage Inspectors
  Foundation Inspection for Flood Damage
  FLOOD RESPONSE CHECKLIST Checklist of Key Steps to Minimize Mold Damage After a Building Flood
  INEFFECTIVE MOLD PRODUCTS Ineffective Mold Products and Procedures to Avoid in Mold Cleanup/Prevention
  FURTHER STEPS PREVENT MOLD Further Steps to Avoid Mold Damage After a Building Flood
  WHEN TO STOP LOOKING FOR MOLD after Flooding: When is a Mold Cleanup Job Complete?
  GENERAL MOLD PREVENTION Preventing Future Mold After a Flooded Building Cleanup
  FLOOD DAMAGE RFERENCES References on Mold Prevention and Flood Damage
  FLOOD VENTS How to Use Flood Vents for Structural Protection from Flooding - Flood Venting in Foundations and Enclosures Below Design Flood Elevation
  SEPTIC SYSTEMS & FLOODS What to Do after a Flood - Septic Flood Response, Safety, Health, Maintenance, Repair Advice
  SEWAGE CONTAMINATION IN BUILDINGS how to detect and respond to sewage backups
  SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE what are the contaminants in sewage
  Wind Damage to Roofs how to assess and identify wind damage to roofs

• Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. (727) 595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com 11/06
• Hankey and Brown home inspectors, Eden Prairie, MN, technical review by Roger Hankey, prior chairman, Standards Committee, American Society of Home Inspectors - ASHI. 952 829-0044 - hankeyandbrown.com 11/06
• Arlene Puentes, a licensed home inspector, educator, and building failures researcher in Kingston, NY. 11/29/06
• Wilderness Medical Society has advice about boiling water for consumption
• Princeton University - www.princeton.edu

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.

The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.

Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting