How to Find Water in an Emergency

During an emergency, you may need to collect and drink water from sources you never dreamed of - thereby saving your life. (Also see "How to Purify Water During an Emergency.")

Things You'll Need

• Water Purifiers
• Water Purifying Tablets
• Buckets

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Instructions

Outdoor Emergency Sources

• 1

  Collect rainwater to drink.

• 2

  Gather water from streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and natural springs.

• 3

  Drink saltwater after distilling it first.

• 4

  Avoid drinking water that has strange odors, dark colors or material visibly floating in it.

Indoor Emergency Sources

• 5

  Check your refrigerator and shelves for alternate sources of water. For instance, you can obtain water from ice cubes or the juices from canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables.

• 6

  Turn to your hot water tank for water by first checking that the electricity or gas is off, then opening the drain at the bottom of the tank. Turn off the water intake valve and turn on the hot-water faucet to obtain water.

• 7

  Consider drinking water from the pipes in your house. First turn on the faucet located at the highest level of your house, allowing for air to enter the plumbing, so that a little bit of water trickles out. Then collect water from the faucet located at the lowest level of your house.

• 8

  Drink from your toilet's reservoir tank as a last resort (but not from the bowl).