Water Collection and Treatment - National Preparedness Month

By Tim Gamble

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September is National Preparedness Month. Yesterday, I presented a more detailed look at water storage (article link). Today's article covers water collection and treatment.

The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting (link to FREE .pdf) is an 88-page publication of the Texas Water Development Board that I highly recommend to anyone interested in this topic. Although written specifically for Texas, most the information in it is applicable to wherever you live. It covers a variety of rainwater harvesting systems, water quality and treatment, building codes (may vary for your location), and many other related topics. Download a copy for free at the above link.

Rain barrels (Amazon link) are a great way to catch and hold rainwater. Rainwater then can be filtered and treated for potable (drinkable) uses, or used untreated for non-potable uses such as watering your garden or flushing toilets. Rain water collection laws and regulations vary across the country, so be sure to check the rules for your locality. 

Treating Water - There are many methods of treating water to remove trash & debris, dangerous chemicals, and microscopic organisms such as mold, algae, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Different methods each have their own particular strengths and weakness. The Texas rainwater guide mentioned above has an entire chapter on water quality and treatment. Rain water falling from the sky is typically the cleanest and safest to drink, however it can quickly become contaminated while being collected or stored. Iodine tablets (Amazon link), unscented bleach, and water filters are some of the common ways to treat water. 

Another method which I like is ferric sulfate and calcium hypochlorite powder (Amazon link), which removes most microorganisms (99.9%+), as well as arsenic and other chemicals. 

Water filters come as both individual filters (Amazon link) and family/group size filters (Amazon link). 

Whatever method or methods you choose, get the supplies and equipment now, before you need them, and learn how to use them. 

Water keys (Amazon link), also known as Sillcock keys, will allow you emergency access to those recessed, knobless water spigots on the sides of commercial buildings, and at many parks and golf courses. Water is key (pun intended) in any survival situation, wilderness or urban, so keep one of these in your bug-out bag, and another in your vehicle or get-home bag.

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