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Dear Customer:
Each year we strive to provide you and your family with useful information that can assist you during water emergency outages. Being prepared for water emergencies is extremely important as we all know.

Water Supply Emergencies Can Result From: 
 Earthquakes - High Winds - Floods - Slides - Heavy snowfall - Deep Freezes - Collisions - Vandalism - Fire - Drought-Lightening Strikes - Equipment Failures

Utility companies strive to minimize your water supply outages, but they do occur. It is wise to know your exposure to these emergencies and be prepared to handle all situations for a period of at least 72 hours without assistance. During emergencies you should stay tuned to your local radio stations for water and power outage updates and information pertaining to your area.

Water is a Vital Resource:
Please take a few minutes now to prepare yourself and your family in case of an emergency. Below are a few good tips on water storage and treatment as well as diagrams demonstrating how to turn off water supply to your home in the event of an emergency. You should keep this flyer handy during times of emergencies.

STORING AND TREATING WATER FOR EMERGENCY USE

Storing Drinking Water:
Treating Water of Questionable Purity:
General Purpose Water:
How to Shut Off your Water

Storing Drinking Water:


Store water in clean plastic containers such as two-liter soda bottles with tight-fitting screw cap lids. Milk containers are not recommended because they do not seal well. 

Rotate all water-even commercially prepared bottled "spring or drinking" water at least every six months. 

If you use tap water that is chemically treated (by a commercial water utility company) do not add bleach or other agents to the water. 

If you use water that is not chemically treated, add two drops of liquid household bleach per gallon of water. There should not be any added soap or fragrances in the household bleach. · 

If you use commercially prepared "spring" or "drinking" water, keep it in the original sealed container. Once opened, use it and do not store it again for later use.  (top)

Treating Water of Questionable Purity: 
If you are uncertain how pure your water source is you should purify the water before consuming or storing it. To purify your water follow these steps. 

Boiling

  • Boiling is the safest way to purify water.
     
  • Bring the water to a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes.
     
  • Let the water cool before drinking.

    • Purifying by adding liquid chlorine bleach
     

  • If boiling is not possible, treat water by adding liquid household bleach, such as Clorox™ or Purex™. Household bleach is typically between 5 percent and 6 percent chlorine. Avoid using bleaches that contain perfumes, dyes and other additives. Be sure to read the label.
     
  • Place the water (filtered, if necessary) in a clean container. Add the amount of bleach according to the table below.
     
  • Mix thoroughly and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes before using (60 minutes if the water is cloudy or very cold).

    • Tips on Purifying Household Drinking Water..from Washington State  Dept. of Health

     (top)

    General Purpose Water: 
    You can also stretch your stored drinking water supply by using it for drinking and cooking only. Water that is suitable for other uses can be found elsewhere. For example, water collected from your downspout can be used for bathing. It does not have to be of the same high quality as your drinking water. This water can also be treated, as noted above and be used for general housekeeping. It can also be used to refill toilet tanks. Water from springs, lakes and snow melt can also be useful. It is extremely important, however that you keep all gathered water that has not been purchased or piped to you away from your stored, potable drinking water supply.

    Should an emergency occur, it may be necessary for you to shut off the water supply coming to your home. Shown below are two diagrams depicting how to disconnect water supply from your home. You should already be familiar with the location of your meter on your property and the location of your shut off valve at the house.  (top)

    How to Shut Off your Water

    shut_off_valve_sample_wall_type.jpg (30612 bytes)
    click to enlarge

    		Water Shut Off Valve:
    Locate the water shut-off valve and label it. These valves
    are typically located at the base of your foundation or in-side
    your home or garage.


    Identify the valve with a large visible tag.

    Ensure the valve can be fully turned off. If the water valve requires the use of a special tool, make sure the tool is readily available.

    Shut off the main valve to prevent contamination of the water supply in your hot water heater tank and plumbing fixtures.


    Water Meter Shut-off:
     Locate your water meter box. Take time to clear brush, bark, rock and grass away from the lid so that it is easy to see and open.


    Flip up the little hinged door on the meter box lid and pull the entire lid off the meter box for access to the meter valve. Carefully remove any insulation and turn valve off using the tools shown in the diagram.


    The meter valve is off when the two holes on the side of the meter valve are aligned.


    To turn meter valve back on, simply turn the arrow bar in the opposite direction as shown in the diagram until it stops turning or until the arrow bar is pointing at the meter. Caution: Always put the installation and lid back in place after turning the valve "off" or "on". Lost or missing insulation or lids can cause the meter to freeze and stop the flow of water.

    meter_shut_off.jpg (38832 bytes)
    click to enlarge
    (top)

                                 

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    Site last updated: 02/25/08

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