In times of an emergency, such as a water outage, having access to a safe and reliable water source is crucial. Your water heater can be a valuable asset, providing you with stored water when you need it most. Here are some essential home water safety tips to ensure you’re prepared for any unexpected situation.
1. Maintain Your Water Heater Regularly
Proper maintenance of your water heater can prepare you for an emergency. Regularly flushing the tank helps ensure that you can use this stored water during a water outage. Flushing the tank helps remove sediment and prevents the build-up of harmful bacteria.
2. Turn Off the Water Heater During an Emergency
If an emergency occurs, turn off your water heater as soon as possible to stop heating the water. This helps conserve the stored water and prevents any potential damage to
the heater. Turn off the inlet water to the tank also, so contaminated water from the restart of the water system doesn’t come in until you want it to.
3. Accessing Water from the Tank
You can access the stored water by using the tank drain at the bottom. Before doing so, disinfect the spigot with bleach or alcohol to prevent contamination.
4. Use the First Few Gallons for Non-Potable Purposes
The first few gallons of water may contain sediment. Use this water for tasks such as toilet flushing, which doesn’t require clean, potable water. This helps ensure that the water you use for drinking, cooking, and hygiene is as clean as possible.
5. Disinfecting the Water for Added Safety
To ensure the water is safe for drinking and other uses, you can add bleach. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or about 8 drops) of unscented liquid household bleach per gallon of water. Mix well and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before using.
By following these steps, you can make sure that your stored water is safe and ready to use in an emergency. Stay prepared and stay safe!
Remember: Proper maintenance and timely action can make all the difference in ensuring that your stored water is a reliable resource when you need it most.
