Water preparedness at home: how to store and treat drinking water

During a prolonged disruption to the water supply, access to drinking water quickly becomes a practical issue. This could be due to a water main leak, a power outage, technical problems with the water supply, or another situation where normal tap water is temporarily unavailable.

Effective water preparedness must therefore answer three questions:

1. How much water do I need to be able to store?
2. How do I store it properly?
3. What do I do if I have to use water from a source where the quality is uncertain?

The last point is particularly important.

Having water canisters at home is a good start, but water preparedness is just as much about hygiene, storage, and the ability to safely treat water.

In short, what is needed for good water preparedness?

Basic water preparedness consists of:

• Drinking water stored in clean containers intended for food
• The ability to fill and transport additional water
• Routines for keeping the containers clean
• Knowledge of where alternative water can be collected
• The ability to treat water if the microbiological quality is uncertain
• A plan for how stored water is to be checked and rotated

It is this combination that makes water preparedness robust.

Why is water so important in a crisis?

Water is not only needed for drinking.

In a household, water is also used for:

• Cooking
• Personal hygiene
• Washing dishes
• Cleaning
• Medication
• Pets
• Other everyday needs

When supply is limited, drinking water and water for food should be prioritized.

Other needs can sometimes be met using water of a different quality.

It is therefore good to consider in advance what the household's actual water needs are.

Should you store water at home?

Yes, having a certain amount of drinking water at home is a simple and practical part of preparedness.

It reduces the dependence on having to immediately find an alternative water source if the normal water supply is interrupted.

But storage is only one part of the equation.

The water must also be stored in a way that reduces the risk of quality deterioration.

What type of containers should you use?

Use containers intended for drinking water or food.

This is important because materials not intended for food contact can affect the water's quality.

A good container should be:

• Clean
• Intact
• Capable of being sealed properly
• Easy to fill
• Easy to empty
• Suitable for drinking water
• Practical to carry when full

A very large tank may seem practical, but several smaller canisters can sometimes be easier to handle.

Does a new water canister need to be cleaned?

Yes, it is wise to clean even new containers before using them for long-term storage of drinking water.

A container may have come into contact with dust, material residues, or other contaminants during manufacturing, transport, and storage.

The same principle applies when a canister is reused.

The fact that it previously contained drinking water does not automatically mean that it is still hygienically clean.

How do you fill a container in a hygienic way?

Start with clean hands and a clean container.

Avoid touching the inside of the lid or the container opening more than necessary.

If a hose is used, it should also be clean and intended for the purpose.

After filling, the container should be closed properly.

Good hygiene during the actual filling process reduces the amount of microorganisms and other material that enters the container from the start.

Where should stored water be kept?

Water should be stored in a way that protects it from unnecessary heat and direct sunlight.

A cool and dark place is generally better than a warm place with strong light.

Also, avoid storing drinking water near products that may leak or affect the container.

This could, for example, be:

• Fuel
• Solvents
• Chemicals
• Strong cleaning products
• Other substances with strong odors

The container should also be placed where it is not at risk of damage.

How long does stored water last?

There is no simple "best before" date that applies to all situations.

How well water keeps depends, among other things, on:

• Water quality at filling
• The cleanliness of the container
• Temperature
• Light
• The material of the container
• How well the container is sealed
• If the water or container is contaminated after filling
• Therefore, a good routine is more important than simply memorizing a certain number of days or months.

We delve deeper into this in our article:
How long can water stand still in a tank or water system?

Should stored water be replaced?

It is wise to have a routine for checking and rotating stored drinking water.

In this way, you can simultaneously:

• Check the containers
• Clean them when necessary
• Detect damage or leaks
• Check for odor and appearance
• Refill with new water
• Instead of pouring away the old water, it can often be used for things like cleaning or watering, depending on its condition.

Can you just look at and smell the water?

No.

Abnormal odor, taste, or appearance can be signs that something is wrong.

However, normal appearance and odor do not automatically mean that the water is microbiologically safe.

Bacteria and other microorganisms can be present in water without being detectable by our senses.

Clear water is not the same as safe water.

What do you do if tap water cannot be used?

It depends on the cause.

If there is information from the municipality or another responsible authority, it should be followed.

In some situations, water may still be in the mains but needs to be boiled before use.

In other situations, the water may be completely turned off.

It may then be necessary to use:

• Stored drinking water
• Water from a distribution point
• Bottled water
• Water from another approved source
• Alternative water that is treated before being used as drinking water

Which solution is appropriate depends on the situation.

Can you use water from a lake or stream?

Natural water can look very clean but still contain microorganisms.

It can, for example, be affected by:

• Animals
• Sewage impact
• Surface runoff
• Precipitation
• Soil and sediment
• Humans
• Changes upstream
• Therefore, one should not judge safety solely by looking at the water.

If natural water is to be used as drinking water, it needs to be treated in an appropriate way.

What is the difference between filtration and disinfection?

They are two different things.

Filtration

Filtration means that the water passes through a material that removes certain particles or substances.

Which contaminants are removed depends entirely on the type of filter used.

Disinfection

Disinfection aims to inactivate microorganisms.

Therefore, a filter is not automatically the same thing as a disinfection system.

And a disinfectant does not automatically remove, for example, sand, sediment, or chemical contaminants.

In some situations, several treatment steps may be needed.

Does boiling the water help?

Boiling is an established method for handling microbiological risks in water when authorities recommend it.

However, boiling does not solve all types of water problems.

If the water, for example, is contaminated with certain chemical substances, heating is not necessarily a solution.

It is therefore important to understand why the water is unsafe before choosing treatment.

What is chemical disinfection of drinking water?

Chemical disinfection means that a substance is added in a controlled concentration to inactivate microorganisms.

Different products use different active substances and require different:

• Dosage
• Contact time
• Handling
• Storage

It is therefore important to always use a product intended for drinking water and to follow the product's instructions.

More product is not automatically better.

What is chlorine dioxide?

Chlorine dioxide, ClO₂, is an oxidant used for water disinfection.

It functions chemically differently from traditional chlorination and is used in both small and large water systems.

We have a separate knowledge article on this:
Chlorine dioxide or chlorine, what is the difference?

There, we go through the differences in more detail.

What is FreeBact® Water?

FreeBact® Water is Xinix's product line for the disinfection of drinking water.

It includes solutions for different water volumes, from smaller amounts for personal use to larger tanks. It kills ALL viruses, bacteria, and fungi - without adding any taste.

For water preparedness, this can be relevant in two different situations.

Water to be consumed

If water comes from a source where the microbiological quality is uncertain, FreeBact® Water can be used according to the product's dosage instructions.

Water in larger tanks

For larger water volumes and tank systems, there are solutions adapted for that type of use.

It is important to distinguish between disinfection of the water itself and remediation of a system that already has established biofilm.

What happens if a water canister has biofilm?

Biofilm consists of microorganisms that have attached to a surface and built up a protective structure around themselves.

It can form on:

• Tank walls
• Canisters
• Pipes
• Hoses
• Valves
• Pumps
• Other water-contact surfaces

Simply emptying the water does not necessarily remove the biofilm.

This means that new drinking water can come into contact with the same microbiological coating when the container is refilled.

Read more in our article:
What is biofilm and why is it a problem in water systems?

Are old plastic bottles good for water preparedness?

It depends on what type of bottle it is and what it previously contained.

Containers that previously contained substances other than food should not be used for drinking water.

Even food packaging can be less suitable for repeated or long-term use if it is not designed for it.

A container intended for the storage of drinking water is therefore a safer and more practical choice.

How much water should you be able to carry?

This is often forgotten.

Water is heavy.

A very large canister quickly becomes difficult to carry, even if it is practical for storage.

It may therefore be wise to combine larger storage with smaller containers that are actually possible to transport.

Also, keep in mind that water may need to be collected from a distribution point if a disruption becomes prolonged.

Water preparedness in an apartment

In an apartment, storage space is often limited.

In that case, a combination of smaller canisters or containers can be more practical than a large tank.

Consider places that are:

• Cool
• Dark
• Easy to access
• Protected from leakage
• Stable enough for the weight

Remember that even smaller amounts of water quickly become heavy in total.

Water preparedness in a detached house

A detached house often offers greater possibilities for storage.

At the same time, the household may have more water-dependent systems and greater needs.

It may therefore be wise to think in several levels:

• Drinking water
• Cooking
• Hygiene
• Reserve water for other needs
• Possibility to collect additional water
• Possibility to treat water

If the property has its own well, the reliance on electricity for the pump must also be included in the preparedness planning.

Water preparedness in a holiday home

Holiday homes have a specific challenge because water systems often stand unused for longer periods.

This can mean:

• Standing water
• Temperature variations
• Biofilm
• Long time between checks
• Private water source
• Seasonal use

It is therefore important to not only check the water in the tank, but the entire system when the house is taken into use after a longer period.

Don't forget the pets

Pets need water too.

When the household's water needs are planned, the animals' needs must also be included.

How much is needed naturally varies depending on the animal, size, activity, and temperature.

A simple plan for water preparedness

You don't need to make it complicated.

Start with five steps.

Step 1: Store drinking water

Keep drinking water at home in clean and suitable containers.

Step 2: Plan for more water

Know where and how you can fetch additional water.

Step 3: Have clean transport containers

Ensure they are actually carryable when full.

Step 4: Have the ability to treat unsafe water

If alternative water must be used, you should already know how it should be treated.

Step 5: Check preparedness regularly

Review containers, water, products, and routines before they are needed.

It is significantly easier to solve problems in advance than during an ongoing water outage.

Frequently asked questions about water preparedness

Is it really necessary to store water at home?

Yes, having your own supply of drinking water makes the household less vulnerable during a temporary disruption in the water supply.

Can drinking water go bad in a sealed container?

Yes.

Storage reduces external impact, but water quality is still affected by factors such as container hygiene, temperature, and the quality of the water when filled.

Can you drink rainwater?

Rainwater can be contaminated both in the air and when it hits roofs, gutters, and other surfaces.

Therefore, it should not automatically be considered drinking water without appropriate treatment and assessment.

Can I use pool water as drinking water?

Pool water is not automatically drinking water.

It may contain both chemical substances and other contaminants that make it unsuitable to drink.

Is lake water safe if it is completely clear?

No.

Clear water can contain microorganisms that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted.

Is one water filter enough?

It depends entirely on the filter and what type of contaminant is present.

Not all filters disinfect water.

Can I store water in the garage?

It depends on factors such as temperature, sunlight, and what other products are stored there.

A cool and protected place with no risk of chemical contamination is better.

Do I need both stored water and water purification?

They serve different functions.

Stored water provides immediate access.

The ability to treat water provides greater sustainability if the stored water runs out or if an alternative water source needs to be used.

Summary

Good water preparedness is about more than just filling a few containers.

Consider the entire chain:

• Store high-quality water
• Use clean and suitable containers
• Store water in a cool and protected place
• Have the capacity to transport more water
• Understand the difference between filtration and disinfection
• Have a plan for treating unsafe water
• Check and cycle through your preparedness regularly

Then you will have both water for the initial period and greater freedom of action if an outage becomes prolonged.

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Contact

Thank you for reading all the way here!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

Alexandra Németh, Marketing Manager, Xinix Global AB
alexandra@xinix.se
Mobile: +46 70-78 601 678


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