Frequently Asked Questions

Store at least two gallons of water per person per day, and prepare for a minimum of 3 to 7 days. For a family of four, this is at least 24 to 56 gallons. If you have any pets, be sure to store water for them too.

Yes. Bottled water you buy at the grocery store in sealed containers can typically be stored for several years. The bottles should be kept in a cool dark place and should not be exposed to direct sunlight or fumes from petroleum products and pesticides/herbicides. You should check the bottles periodically to be sure the plastic has not cracked or developed leaks. Replace the bottled water when it reaches the expiration or “use by” date or if you think the bottles have leaked or lost water due to evaporation.

Follow the steps below to properly treat the tap water you are storing for emergency use.
1. Flush the tap for one minute. This will ensure that any residual metals have been flushed from the home plumbing and that you are getting chlorinated water from the main.
2. Add ¼ teaspoon (8 drops) of chlorine bleach for each gallon the container holds. NOTE: do not use scented, color safe, laundry bleach, powdered bleach, or swimming pool chlorine - these contain additional chemicals that are poisonous.
3. Fill the container with tap water leaving as little headspace as possible.
4. Cap the container and tape the lid to keep out dust and dirt.
5. Place the container in a black garbage bag and close. This controls dust and prevents algal growth.
6. Mark the date you filled the bottle on a piece of tape and attach it to the bag. This will allow you to know when it's time to change the water you have stored.
The filled water containers should be stored in a cool, dark place and should not be exposed to sunlight or fumes of petroleum products and pesticides/herbicides. Remember to check the containers periodically to ensure that the plastic has not cracked or developed leaks. If the containers have cracked or are leaking, replace them.

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ACWD tap water can be stored safety as long as you take the proper steps to sterilize the storage containers and treat the water before putting it in storage.

Any clean, airtight container will work, but sturdy, opaque plastic bottles with screw-on caps are preferable. Avoid glass containers that will break easily or paper containers (such as milk cartons) that will weaken over time. Make sure the container has been cleaned with hot, soapy water and rinsed well before filling.

To ensure freshness, your emergency drinking water supply should be changed every six months if you are using tap water.

Several other sources of drinking water exist in your home. They include:
• Water drained from your water heater.
• Water from the flush tank, not bowl, of your toilet. Purify this water before using it. Do not use chemically treated or “blue” water.
• Melted ice cubes.
• Liquids from canned fruits and vegetables.

During an emergency, such as a major earthquake, ACWD may issue a "boil water notice" until we can verify that the drinking water in our system is not contaminated and is safe to drink. Boiling water before use kills bacteria and other organisms that may be present as a result of damage to ACWD’s water distribution system.

During a "boil water notice," any tap water used for drinking or food preparation must be boiled at a full rolling boil for at least one full minute. A full rolling boil is a vigorous boil that cannot be stopped by stirring the water. If the water is very discolored and/or has visible particulate matter in it, you should filter the water through a coffee filter, paper towels, or clean cloth before boiling.

Boiling water is the preferred method to kill any potential bacteria and other organisms in the water. However, if the emergency has left you with no way to boil the water or if you have limited fuel and do not want to use it for boiling water, you may treat the water with fresh liquid chlorine laundry bleach. NOTE: do not use scented, color safe, laundry bleach, powdered bleach, or swimming pool chlorine - these contain additional chemicals that are poisonous. Also, be aware that liquid bleach loses strength with age.
If the water is very dirty looking and/or has particulate matter in it, you should filter the water through a coffee filter, paper towels, or clean cloth before treating it.
Below is a description of how much liquid bleach to add to each gallon of water: • Amount of fresh bleach to add to clear water:1/4 teaspoon (8 drops) per gallon • Amount of fresh bleach to add to cloudy/dirty water:1/2 teaspoon (16 drops) per gallon
After you add the bleach, thoroughly mix by stirring or shaking the container. Let the water stand for 30 minutes before using. A slight chlorine odor should be noticeable in the water. If not, add another dosage of bleach and allow the water to stand another 15 minutes before using.
The water can also be treated with the use of water purification tablets which can be purchased at most outdoors or sporting goods stores. Follow the directions for use on the package you purchase.
Treat only enough water to meet your needs for 48 hours at a time. There is an increased chance of re-contamination if the treated water sits for more than 48 hours. Refrigeration will also help avoid re-contamination.
Note: Most home water filters are meant for water that is already micro-biologically safe. Using these filters during a "boil water notice" will not guarantee the safety of the water. Replace any filter cartridges after the boil water notice has been lifted to insure your filter is not contaminated.

It's always best to play it safe when it comes to your drinking water following a disaster. Please keep the following "water-wise" tips in mind when considering your source and supply of emergency drinking water.
• Even if you haven't received word of a "boil water notice" after a disaster, if your tap water seems cloudy or has an unpleasant odor, purify it before drinking or do not drink it at all.
• Conserve your drinking water, even if your supply is not interrupted. Help by shutting off automatic sprinkler systems.
• If plumbing fixtures in your house are damaged and/or leaking, turn off the water supply to your house at the main shut-off valve. This valve is typically located in a meter box near the sidewalk/street.
• Immediately after a major disaster, consider closing the main household water shut-off valve to isolate your water supply. This could prevent contamination of internal plumbing and your water heater.
• If your water service is interrupted, shut off automatic sprinkler systems and turn off the water heater.