Long-term Planning

Effective water planning goes beyond simply storing water. It involves calculating your needs, diversifying water sources, and creating sustainable systems that work during extended emergencies. This guide helps you develop a comprehensive water security plan for any scenario.

1. Calculating Water Needs

Understanding your actual water requirements is the foundation of good planning. Needs vary based on climate, activity level, and the number of people in your household.

Key Information

The standard recommendation is 1 gallon (4 liters) per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene. Double this for hot climates or high activity levels.

Drinking water: 0.5-1 gallon (2-4L) per person daily minimum
Cooking and food prep: 0.5 gallon (2L) per person daily
Basic hygiene: 0.5-1 gallon (2-4L) per person daily
Pets: 1 ounce (30ml) per pound of body weight daily

Calculate your household needs:

People × 4L × Days of supply = Total liters needed

2. Storage Strategy

A layered storage approach provides flexibility and redundancy. Combine different container sizes and locations to maximize security.

Key Information

Store water in multiple locations if possible. A flood, fire, or other disaster could compromise water stored in one location.

Short-term (72 hours): Commercial bottled water, grab-and-go containers
Medium-term (2 weeks): 5-gallon containers, water bricks, jerry cans
Long-term (1+ months): 55-gallon drums, IBC tanks, cisterns

Rotate stored water every 6-12 months. Mark containers with fill dates.

3. Diversifying Water Sources

Don't rely on a single water source. Identify multiple options for obtaining water if your primary source fails.

Key Information

Map out water sources within walking distance of your location. Know which require treatment and which may be potable.

Primary sources (stored water):

Commercial bottled water with intact seals
Home-stored treated water in food-grade containers
Rainwater collection systems

Secondary sources (may need treatment):

Wells and springs
Lakes, rivers, and streams
Swimming pools (for non-drinking uses)

4. Planning for Different Scenarios

Different emergency situations require different water strategies. Plan for multiple scenarios based on your location and likely risks.

Key Information

Consider: power outages, contamination events, natural disasters, infrastructure failure. Each may affect water availability differently.

Common scenarios to plan for:

Power outage: Water pumps may fail, have manual alternatives ready
Contamination: Know how to test and treat water from any source
Evacuation: Have portable water containers ready to grab
Long-term crisis: Sustainable collection and treatment systems

5. Essential Equipment

Having the right equipment ensures you can collect, store, treat, and transport water effectively during any emergency.

Key Information

Store equipment with your water supplies. Test all equipment periodically to ensure it works when needed.

Recommended water equipment:

Multiple water purification methods (filter, chemical, UV)
Water testing kits (pH, bacteria, chlorine)
Portable containers (collapsible, wheeled cart)
Siphon pump and hand pump
Tarps and collection containers for rainwater
Water hoses and connectors

6. Creating Your Family Water Plan

A written plan ensures everyone knows what to do and where to find water supplies. Review and update it regularly.

Key Information

Include backup contact information for water delivery services and locations of public water distribution points in your plan.

Your plan should include:

Location of all stored water and equipment
Daily water ration schedule
Backup water sources and how to access them
Water treatment procedures
Rotation schedule for stored water
Emergency contact numbers

Summary

A comprehensive water plan provides peace of mind and real security during emergencies. By calculating needs, diversifying sources, and having the right equipment, you ensure your family has safe water regardless of circumstances.