Ward Goal for June: 2 Weeks of Water

This months ward goal is to have 2 weeks of water for each member of the family. Each gallon is not only for drinking but also for cooking and for cleaning/bathing. Here are some water storage tips to help you in fulfilling this goal.

• Use food grade plastic bottles such as juice or pop containers. Do not use thin plastic containers such as milk jugs.
• If you use a juice or soda container be sure to clean it very well with bleach and with soap to get all the sugar out. Otherwise the bacteria can feed off the sugar and begin to grow in your water containers rendering the water undrinkable.
• You can bring water to a boil to purify water
• You can put 1/8 of a teaspoon or 8 drops of  non-perfumed bleach in water to purify it. After adding the bleach, thoroughly mix the water to incorporate the bleach. Wait 30 minutes then smell the water. If it has a slightly chlorine smell to it, it is safe to drink. If it doesn't add two more drops and mix again. You may do this up to 16 drops altogether, without it becoming unsafe to drink
• If you do not have the funds for a portable water filter, you can purchase coffee filters at the dollar store and use it to filter out large particles from your water. You will still need to purify it by boiling or bleach.
• Gain knowledge on how to build filters out of natural materials such as gravel and sediments. 
• Rotate water at least once a year. 

Remember you can live three weeks without food but only 3 days without water!