LIHUE — The Department of Water reminds residents of water emergency preparedness guidelines for the storing of drinking water, essential water uses and other water emergency tips during a severe weather emergency.
LIHUE — The Department of Water reminds residents of water emergency preparedness guidelines for the storing of drinking water, essential water uses and other water emergency tips during a severe weather emergency.
In the event that high winds and/or flooding disrupts the power supply to water sources, residents should have at least one gallon of water stored, per person, per day for at least 14 days for drinking and sanitation purposes, as part of their emergency preparedness kit.
How to store water
To store water properly, you should:
w Use clean containers, preferably those designed for water storage. Do not use containers that stored questionable materials or food with strong odors (mayonnaise, pickles, etc.) as the water will pick up the odor during storage.
w Disinfect containers. Wash containers thoroughly, then rinse it in a mild bleach solution (one capful of liquid bleach to one gallon of water), and then rinse thoroughly.
w Fill container with water from the tap. Fill the container to the top, keeping a minimal amount of air between the water and the cap. Store it in a cool, dark place.
w Optional – Boiling or bleach disinfection. If you prefer, you can boil water before storing it. You should boil the water at a rolling boil for 1 to 3 minutes, let it cool down until it is slightly warm, fill the containers, and then seal and store immediately. Liquid bleach may also be used to disinfect water that has not been boiled. Add 1 to 8 drops of new, unscented liquid bleach with strength of 5 percent to 6 percent (like Clorox) per gallon of water. Seal and store immediately. For questions about boiling or bleach disinfection, please call DOW’s Water Quality Division at 245-5446.
