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Water Storage Secrets

Water storage is critical for comfort and convenience, and in emergency situations for survival. Cities and municipalities store water in reservoirs and in raised water towers that supply pressure to public water systems. Prudent households store water for emergencies in the event that municipal water supplies become unreliable in a disaster situation. Primary concerns in water storage are cleanliness, accessibility and efficiency.

  1. Municipal Water Storage

    • Most municipalities have a reservoir that supplies the town's water needs. Some of these reservoirs are natural lakes, while others are artificially constructed reservoirs. The water from the reservoir is pumped into a water tower that is located on hilly terrain or constructed to raise the water in flat terrain. Water towers are distinctively shaped structures with a huge bulb raised up on a thin tower, often with the name of the town painted on them. The purpose of these towers is to provide pressure to municipal water systems through gravity. Public water systems also have systems that purify the water and test it to be sure that it is safe for consumption.

    Personal Water Storage

    • Many individuals protect themselves against emergencies by maintaining an emergency water supply in their houses or on their properties. This storage can be as simple as filling jars or bottles with water or as elaborate as using a buried tank that holds hundreds of gallons. Avoid storing water in containers that are not food safe, and treat water that will be stored for a long period with chlorine to prevent the growth of bacteria. Personal emergency water supplies should be rotated regularly to further reduce the possibility of bacteria formation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for emergency use.

    Agricultural Water Storage

    • Agriculture uses enormous amounts of water for both crops and livestock. In drier regions, where this water can't be dependably acquired from natural sources such as rivers, lakes or underground aquifers, farmers and ranchers store water in large quantities to ensure the survival of their crops and livestock. Large-scale water storage can be done in cisterns, underground tanks, or above-ground towers. Even in large quantities, this kind of water storage is only to get through seasonal situations. Given the amounts of water used, it wouldn't be feasible to store water for long-term use.

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