Due to the recent power outages in Las Cruces, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas, many people were left without clean drinking water. El Paso's water supply was dangerously low; the generators which powered the water pumps were frozen, therefore no new water was being added to the water towers. Pipes were frozen everywhere and stores had quickly sold out of bottled water. The temperatures had dropped to below zero, unheard of in this area and people were not prepared for the consequences.
If it happens again, the thing to do is to prepare now. The easy answer is a water purification device, like hikers use. No clean water, no problem, any water source will do, even dirty water can be made drinkable very quickly. For instance, in both Las Cruces and El Paso, the Rio Grande river is pretty much right in your back yard. Why not have a portable water purification device in your home or vehicle? They are hand-held pumps, relatively inexpensive and all you would have to do is take your empty jugs down to the river, place the long filler tube in the water and pump pure, clean, bacteria-free water into your containers.
Personally I have used the Katadyn Hiker Water Microfilter, it produces a quart a minute and one cartridge will purify 200 gallons. I can tell you that it works very well and is very light and portable.
Also, if you will store several containers of water in a cool dark spot, either inside or outside your home, you will at least have some for an emergency. Rotate the water with new water every month, to keep it fresh. A drop of chlorine bleach per gallon will help keep bacteria from growing so quickly.
Personally I have used the Katadyn Hiker Water Microfilter, it produces a quart a minute and one cartridge will purify 200 gallons. I can tell you that it works very well and is very light and portable.
Also, if you will store several containers of water in a cool dark spot, either inside or outside your home, you will at least have some for an emergency. Rotate the water with new water every month, to keep it fresh. A drop of chlorine bleach per gallon will help keep bacteria from growing so quickly.
Next time don't panic, be prepared!
Please check back soon, for my next article: Being prepared if you have no natural gas or electricity to heat your home. This also was a recent scenario in both Las Cruces and El Paso, because of the record low temps.
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