Water List

“Water is the key resource for family-preparedness planning.  Plentiful fresh water for drinking, cooking, washing, and gardening is the most critical resource for all societies.  You can improvise a lot of things, buy you can’t improvise water. (Well, actually, you can now buy a machine that will suck water out of the atmosphere, but it’s an expensive, high-maintenance power hog.)

The vast majority of the residents of First World countries are dependent on grid power to supply their water.  When the grid goes down for more than a few days, water towers will quickly be drained and huge numbers of people will be forced to draw water from open sources.  Thankfully, there are streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds within walking distance of most homes.  Rainwater from roof downspouts can also be used, but for many, especially in areas with only seasonal precipitation, the logistics of hauling water will be a challenge.

Once you’ve found water, you will need to treat all that water, or face infection.  Most families don’t own a water filter.  Boiling water is an option, but only if you have natural-gas, propane, or wood cooking stoves, since electric ranges don’t work without grid power.  Even folks with well water will face difficulties, unless you have a backup generator or a fully capable alternative energy system.” (James W. Rawles)