Kirsten Anderberg/Purifying Water After Earthquakes and Disasters Page

Purifying Water After Earthquakes and Disasters

I have saved endless brochures and newspaper articles from the aftermaths of large, destructive earthquakes for more than 30 years. I have done this primarily due to *being at the epicenter* of so many quakes and having direct access to the safety materials and information distributed by government officials and corporate agencies after earthquakes. Water is always one of the first problems in any disaster area. From all of the materials I have gathered, the consensus seems to be to use 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite solution (also known as common household chlorine bleach) to disinfect water to make it potable after quakes and disasters. In the past iodine has been used, but currently that is not recommended.

This water purification chart came from the Los Angeles Daily News in 1994, after the Northridge Quake in 1994.
TO CLEAR WATER ADD:
1 quart water to 2 drops bleach
1 gallon water to 8 drops bleach
5 gallons water to 1/2 teaspoon bleach

TO UNCLEAR WATER ADD:
1 quart water to 4 drops bleach
1 gallon water to 16 drops bleach
5 gallon water to 1 teaspoon bleach

Notes that came with this diagram suggest straining water through a clean cloth to remove sediment, floating matter, glass, etc., before purifying the water. They also suggest only using a 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite solution and to avoid solutions where there are other ingredients besides the hydrochlorite, such as bleaches with scents added, etc. They suggest mixing the water and bleach by stirring or shaking it, then leaving it to sit for 30 minutes before using. They say a slight chlorine odor should be detectable, and if there is not a slight chlorine smell, this article says to repeat the dosage and let it stand another 15 minutes before using it. (This contrasts with some other information I have read which instructed us to wait until the chlorine smell was *gone* before drinking the treated water, so...I am just reporting on what I have been told over the years in disaster zones after quakes.)

I highly recommend storing pure chlorine bleach in your emergency kit due to the usefulness of bleach after quakes to help make water potable.

From the Daily News, January 24, 1994 (in the aftermath of the Jan. 17, 1994 Northridge Earthquake)

The clipping above from the Daily News says, "Purification of water - The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is urging most San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica Mountains residents to boil all water for 5 minuiutes before drinking it - and to be careful to avoid swallowing any untreated water while bathing. Residents who have doubts about whether their area is safe should continue to boil water. Residents who live in the area bounded by Woodley Ave on the west, the Simi Valley-San Fernando Valley Freeway (118) on the north, the Golden State Freeway (5) in the east and Ventura Blvd. on the south may drink water from the tap, officials said Sunday. But all other residents of the San Fernando Valley and the mountains north of Sunset Blvd. must continue to bloil water. Filering water is not adequate to eliminate contaminants, officials said. As an alternative to boiling, the L.A. County Dept. of Health Services said residents can decontaminate water by putting eight drops of chlorine bleach in every gallon of clear water - adding 16 drops for cloudy water. Officials say to mix the water well and allow it to stand for at least 30 minutes before using."

This diagram is from a poster put out by The Seattle Times, dated March 1, 2001, in response to the Nisqually Quake that hit the Seattle area in Feb 2001.

You can drink and use the water in your water heater once purified. If you do not secure your water heater properly to the walls, you will find your water heater toppled over with all the precious water running on the floor into your rugs. You should secure your water heater to the studs properly in your home LONG BEFORE an earthquake happens. I also suggest you buy EXTRA FLEXIBLE GAS LINE ATTACHMENT HOSE and keep it stored in your emergency kit, for that one item was one of the very most sought-after items by home owners right after the Northridge 1994 Quake and local Home Depot, etc. stores sold out of them as fast as they got them in for quite some time. (I remember this shortage of water heater gas hoses from first-hand experience in the Northridge Quake 1994.)

To properly secure your water heater, you need to locate the studs nearest the water heater. Secure the water heater with 16-20 gauge, pre-drilled steel strap. Strap the heater to the wall studs at one third of the way down from the top and also at one third of the way from the bottom up. This diagram comes from the Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division's publication entitled, "Disaster Preparation Handbook" published after 2001 (unfortunately this booklet has no date on it, but it is clear it was made post-9-11-01 from the wording).

This "Disaster Preparedness Handbook" put out by Washington State also comments that "to get water out of your water heater when the water is turned off, you will need to turn off the gas or electric supply to the heater. Open a faucet located in the highest point of your home and then open the faucet at the bottom of the water heater. This allows the water to gravity feed from the tank. The water that first comes from the tank may be full of rust and other deposits. This is normal for a water heater that has been in a home for a few years. Discard the discolored water. When the water becomes clear, it should be safe to drink. If there is any question as to water purity - purify it."

DISCLAIMER: I take no responsibility for the use of these instructions and am not a trained medical or public safety professional. I am merely reporting on what I have been told to do in the past in emergencies regarding potable water, and I have cited the sources I got the information from. It is up to you to make proper and informed health and safety decisions for you and your family in emergencies. Do your homework *before* disaster strikes is my advice to you.

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