Be Prepared for Storms with Water Purification

9/28/2022 (Permalink)

If you experience storm damage to your residential or commercial space, contact SERVPRO.

When powerful storms leave behind chaos, you should always check your property for damage once it is safe. SERVPRO of East Independence/Blue Springs can be here to help. Even if your property isn’t directly affected, you might have to deal with some consequences of such extreme weather.

An important thing to plan for is having drinkable water. A storm does not wait for those in its path to be prepared, so don't hesitate to create a plan and storm preparation kit to keep in your home. A storm kit should include water bottles, blankets, nonperishable food, a flashlight and first aid kit, portable chargers, and necessary personal care items. A list of other storm preparation items can be found here.  

If you come into a situation where you do not have drinkable water, here are ways to purify and store contaminated water. 

Finding the Perfect Container is the first thing you will want to do is find containers that have a narrow neck which would make it easier to pour. You should never use a container that has been used for cleaning supplies or other toxic chemicals. 

Ways to Purify Water

1. Boiling the water is one of the safest ways to kill germs, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. You will want to continue boiling for one minute for elevations 6,500ft or less and for three minutes for higher elevations. After that, you will want to let the water sit and cool before transferring it to a storage container. 
2. Using Water Purification Tablets

The other option we will discuss is using water purification tablets to help purify the water when you cannot bring it to a boil. The active ingredient is usually chlorine, chlorine dioxide, or Iodine, which deactivate harmful pathogens by rendering them harmless. We suggest purchasing a bundle and storing them in your storm preparation kit with a 3-year shelter life; these will be handy during storms and hiking trips; click here.