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Emergency Water Supply

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Living in the Bay Area, we know that an earthquake could happen at any time. After a major natural disaster, broken pipes could cause your home to be without running water for many days. Though Livermore Municipal Water and relief agencies will create temporary water stations, setting them up will take time. It's essential to be prepared and store an emergency water supply so your household is never without water.

How much water do I need?

The amount of water you’ll need depends on the number of people and pets in your household. Store at least one gallon of water per person and pet, per day. This will ensure you will have enough water for drinking, cleaning, and cooking. Ideally, you should have a two-week water supply on hand, but at minimum store enough for three days.

How do I store my water supply?

Keep your emergency water supply in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Make sure it is stored in a location that you can easily access, even after an earthquake. Your emergency water supply can be either bottled water or tap water that you put in your own containers.

If you buy bottled water, make sure you replace your emergency supply after the bottles reach their expiration or “use by” date.

If you decide to bottle your own tap water, make sure the containers are made of food-grade plastic. Disinfect the containers with a solution made from one teaspoon of non-scented bleach mixed with one quart of water before filling them. Replace the water in the containers every six months.

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