COLUMN: Building a safe supply of water during disasters

Salem Reporter publishes a regular column from Mark Wardell, West Salem team leader for Salem’s Community Emergency Response Team, focusing on emergency preparedness and planning.

New CERT training coming in January

The Community Emergency Response Team is a volunteer program that trains people in basic disaster preparedness and response skills. CERT members gain valuable skills that can help them keep themselves and their families safe, as well as assist their neighbors during emergencies by providing first aid, assisting with search and rescue, and organizing resources.

Here are the details for the next free certification course. The class is provided by the city of Salem CERT, under the auspices of the Salem Fire Department. There is no charge to participate. To become a certified member of CERT you must attend all the sessions.

If it has been a while since you took the training and you were looking to get re-certified, or if you know someone who might be interested, please share this information with them.

The class will be held on six consecutive Thursdays from Jan. 9 through Feb. 13 from 6-9 p.m., with the final exercise Saturday, Feb.15, from 9 a.m. to noon. The class will be held in the training room of Fire Station 6 at 2740 25th St. S.E.

Preregistration is required; contact Lola Hackett at [email protected] to register or for additional information.

What is 2 Weeks Ready? – Unit 4

Unit 4 of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management’s 2 Weeks Ready program focuses on the importance of having a reliable water supply in case of a disaster. The program recommends storing enough water to last for at least two weeks for each person in your household.

Safety considerations

You need potable water, which means water that is safe to drink, safe for brushing your teeth, safe for food preparation, safe for hygiene. People and animals should only consume potable water.

Unless you have some way to purify water, you should avoid water from rivers, streams, ponds and lakes as it may be contaminated. You should also avoid water that has floating material or has an odor or is dark in color. And never, under any circumstances, should you use floodwater. 

How much water do you need?

During an emergency you will need water for drinking, meal preparation and cleanup, and personal hygiene. The amount of water you need may vary, but the basic recommendation is for one gallon of water per person, per day. Don’t forget your pet, and some pets will need more than others. And if you need water for baby formula, or powdered milk, you will also need more.

How to store water

Where to put all that water can be a challenge, so be creative. Remember to keep the water so anyone in the household can access it. If possible, keep it in a dark, dry area and out of any direct sunlight.

Freeze part of your water, that way it can also be used to keep food items cold for a time in coolers, and still be used as water after it melts.

How to sanitize water

When in doubt about water’s quality, purify it. There are five main ways to purify water. Learn which methods are best for different situations so you can use the best methods when needed.

• Boiling: Boil water for at least one minute. In most cases, this is the safest method of treating water.
• Filtration: This mechanically removes contaminants from water. Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your water filter.
• Water purification tablets: National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)-approved products are recommended. These tablets are small, lightweight and inexpensive. Be sure to follow instructions closely.
• Chemical disinfection: Iodine and tablets containing iodine or unscented bleach. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the label or package. Note, water disinfected with iodine is NOT recommended for people who may be pregnant, people with thyroid issues or those with hypersensitivity to iodine. No one should continuously use iodine for more than a few weeks at a time.
• Distillation: Water that has been boiled into vapor and condensed back into a liquid in a separate container.

Other considerations

Drink mixes, like Kool-Aid or Crystal Light, can improve the taste of disinfected water. Keep some with your water supply. Do not substitute soft drinks, caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea, and alcohol for water in your calculation of needs.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you and your family have a reliable water supply in case of a disaster. Remember, it’s essential to test your water plan regularly to ensure its effectiveness.

Week by week to become 2 Weeks Ready
A crucial part of being prepared is having a two-week supply of food and water for everyone in your household. This list is adapted from one published by Marion County. By following it, you can be prepared within a year. Building a two-week supply takes time and budgeting, so pace yourself, don’t rush, and take breaks when necessary.

Week 14 – Canned vegetables-1 – 1 1/2 cans per person, per day

Week 15 – Baby items – extra diapers, formula, blankets, jammies, change of clothes – all for baby!

Week 16 – Pet supplies – extra food, water, leashes, pet carriers, pet first aid kit, blankets, toys, towels

Week 17 – A large container to store your items – this can be plastic totes, the clear totes are easy to see what’s inside, a large suitcase on wheels, a plastic garbage bin on wheels – anything you can store easily or take with you in case of an evacuation.

This is a suggested year-long plan to spread out the cost of acquiring supplies. Feel free to adjust the pace to fit your needs and budget.

Coming up next month

Next month we’ll get to Unit 5 of the 2 Weeks Ready plan, the waste and hygiene Plan. If you would like to read ahead, you will find all the information provided by the Oregon Office of Emergency Management by visiting the official 2 Weeks Ready website

Thank you

I would just like to offer a thank you to the staff and students at Eagle Charter School in Salem who invited me to come speak to them about being 2 Weeks Ready. I really enjoyed getting to know you better, and you had some great questions!

If you have any questions about this article, preparedness in general, or if you’d like to inquire about joining CERT or scheduling a CERT presentation for your organization, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Mark Wardell, at [email protected].

STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].

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