Okay SHTF… I Need a Drink! Finding Water in Emergency Situations
- BVABC Pro Staffer / Ryan Dotson
- May 11, 2016
- 4 min read
I have already written about the importance of purifying drinking water, but one still has to find it first. As our climate changes, we have an increasing risk of major drought conditions. Major flooding can be just as dangerous because of the bacteria found in flood waters. Tornados, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, and disease outbreak all pose a significant threat to our clean water supply.
2011 Tornado damage from Joplin, MO
How you find water may be different for each of these potential scenarios. Hurricanes and tsunamis will be treated similarly because of the massive flooding they can cause. The tainted flood water can compromise reservoirs, which can leave tap water dangerous. If you can find a preserved water source, that is your best option. Think of urban places that have large tanks of water. This would include landscaping nurseries, vegetable farms, pest control facilities, lawn care facilities, orchards, office buildings that may have a water cooler, and of course any store that would have clean available water. If sanitized, you can even drink from a fresh-water fish tank. (Fair warning for the latter, it could be pretty gross). As for tornados and earthquakes, it is very possible that the damage destroyed any plumbing you have. However, most tornados have a relatively small path of destruction. If the damage is less than a mile wide, your best bet will be to rely on friends and family.
In rural settings, the situation would be different. If you are on well water, seepage would be a concern. You would need to verify that contaminated water has not flowed within a few hundred yards of the well. Creeks and rivers could have tainted water flowing from miles away and you would never know it. Small ponds can be an option, but you would have to verify that there is no feeder creek. In extreme drought conditions, water usage would likely be restricted. You often can dig a proximity well in or near a creek or river bed. If there has been water present in the last few weeks, you likely can find some remaining underground. You can also follow game paths made by deer and other animals to find where they have been drinking.
Unconventional sources of clean drinking water include both plants and animals. The one that first comes to mind is the coconut, but that is not the only option. The prickly pear cactus is edible, a good water source, and can be found in most Southern states. There are also many types of water vines that can provide a decent source of water. If you have a field nearby, you can wrap a shirt around one leg and walk through the field at sunrise. It actually does a surprisingly good job of collecting the dew. Then you can wring it out and drink. If you have ground vegetation or deciduous leaves, you can build a condensation trap. Simply dig a wide, but shallow hole, place a container in the center, surround with vegetation, cover with clear plastic, seal the edges, and put a small rock in the center to draw the evaporated water to your container. The hotter it is, the better this process works. Believe it or not, there are even types of fish that have a drinkable amount of water in their spinal column. One just needs to pierce the spinal column just below the head and drink up! These all offer a source of clean drinking water in an unconventional way.
This is Flooding in Pacific, MO a few miles from where I grew up. This took place in December of 2015.
Collecting rainwater in advance is always a good idea if it is done properly. One can direct water from downspouts into a series of barrels. Ensuring a tight lid is always present is very important. It prevents mosquitoes, prevents animals from contaminating the water, and helps prevent evaporation. It is ideal to have a pump attached to one of your barrels to make the transporting of water easier. If at all possible, standard roof shingles should be replaced with metal, clay, or wood. The granules found on standard roof tile easily will end up in your barrels.
Of course, all water should be purified before drinking if possible. I’m sure you’ve seen people risk it on television, but never drink alcohol, salt water, blood, or urine. You will either vomit or dehydrate and end up worse than when you started. Also do not eat anything if water is scarce. Processing food requires the human body to use water which will dehydrate you faster. Even if you are careful about where you get your water, it is still possible to get very sick if not purified. Standing water sources are risky due to animal contamination and mosquitoes. If the disaster you are facing is a pandemic, the only safe water may be sealed water tanks. If you have no other options, you can attempt to purify the tainted water. I would not suggest going that route unless your life is in immediate danger. In the end, I always prefer to purify and drink from a sealed water source or from a clear running stream. However, dehydration is a beast and I will do whatever I have to do to stay hydrated.
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