Hurricane Preparedness
Are you ready for the Hurricane Season?
During and after a hurricane, the water supply to your home can become contaminated and unfit to drink. To ensure your household has a safe and adequate water supply after natural disasters, take these precautions:
- Store enough drinking water for each family member and pet.
- Store in clean, noncorrosive, tightly covered containers.
- Store containers in a cool, dark location.
- Collect water in bathtubs for non-drinking uses.
As soon as landfall is imminent or evacuation notices are issued during a hurricane warning, you can further protect the water supply going into your home and minimize property damage by following the guidelines shown below:
How to protect your hot water heater
- Turn off your water at the meter.
- Switch off the electrical circuit breakers.
How to turn off your water meter
Your water can be shut off at either the cut-off valve or at the water meter. Everyone in your home should know where these are located. The valve (usually with a wheel-type handle) is normally under the water faucet outside, 18 inches below the ground and 2 feet from the house.
It will be in line with your water meter, which is usually located near the edge of your property line near the street. The valve can be operated to provide water, if available, for sanitary services only.
To have water for non-potable uses
- Fill up the bathtub.
- Use the water in the hot water heater.
How to purify water
A "Boil Water" notice may be issued after a storm because the water has become unsafe to drink due to pipes breaking. If this occurs, you'll want to have a safe and adequate drinking water supply in your home until service can be restored.
To do this you'll need to purify the water by using one of several methods:
BOILING
Boil vigorously for 3 to 5 minutes and let cool. You can add a pinch of salt, or pour back and forth between two containers to improve the taste.
HYPOCHLORITE BLEACH
- Liquid bleach from the home laundry or grocery store will work well. DO NOT use a bleach that has a fragrance or scenting agent, like a lemon scent.
- Read the label to find the percentage of chlorine available. It should be 5.25%.
- Add 8 drops to a gallon of water and let stand at least 30 minutes. (1 teaspoon = approx. 100 drops.) If no dropper is available, use 1/8 tsp.
- If the water has a strong chlorine smell after 30 minutes, pour back and forth between two clean jugs or containers.
PURIFICATION TABLETS
Purchase from drug store, follow directions.
How to store purified water
- To keep drinking water safe from contamination, it should be stored in clean, non-corrosive, tightly covered containers.
- Prepare two quarts of water per day for each family member and any family pets.
- To increase shelf life of water, group bottles in dark plastic trash bags to keep light out. Store containers in a cool, dark location.
- CAUTION: Make sure children don't mistake bottles containing hazardous substances with bottles used for drinking water.
