Earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters can disrupt the water supply. If a storm or blackout shuts the system down, where will you get a clean drinking supply? To avoid dehydration and stay healthy, you need a plan to utilize hidden or overlooked reserves. This post covers how to find emergency water sources in the city and how to make your supply safe to drink.
Urban Survival: Where to Find Emergency Water Sources During a Crisis
After a major catastrophe, it often takes local government agencies days or weeks to restore the water system. During Hurricane Harvey, for example, over 120,000 Houston homes lost supply for days. During a large-scale outage, you’ll need a backup source that you can access and purify quickly.
Below are the top emergency water sources in the city:
Rainwater Harvesting
Roof runoff offers a reliable backup emergency water source during a shortage. To make rainwater safe for drinking, place a screen over your gutter to catch debris and channel clean water into a storage tank. Then, run the liquid through a fine filter and boil or disinfect it.
Storm Drains
Heavy rain often fills city storm drains with runoff from streets and parking lots. However, this source often carries trash, debris, and other pollutants. Just make sure to strain the runoff through a cloth or fine filter to remove larger sediments. Afterward, disinfect it using water-purification tablets. You can also run the filtered liquid through a portable carbon filter to reduce chemical residues.
Groundwater Wells
Many U.S. cities draw their main supply from underground wells. During emergencies, they can be a lifeline if you know where to find one and how to collect water safely. First, lower a clean bucket or container into the well. Then strain the liquid through a ceramic or carbon filter to remove dirt and metals.
Urban Ponds and Lakes
Urban ponds and lakes serve as natural reservoirs, but studies show that they’re highly contaminated due to runoff. If pond or lake water is your only option, you’ll have to purify it thoroughly. Transfer the liquid in a bucket and let it sit undisturbed for 30 minutes to allow the sediment to settle. Then pour the liquid through a folded cloth or paper towel to remove fine particles. Transfer that water into transparent plastic bottles and leave them in the sun for six hours to kill microbes.
Decorative Fountains
City fountains are another emergency water option. However, tests reveal that over 60% of public fountains in major U.S. cities harbor unsafe levels of bacteria or chemicals. If fountain water is your only source, then make sure to collect the water from an area with the strongest flow and avoid any still or murky sections. Then, drop in a flocculant tablet and wait 20 minutes for particles to settle at the bottom. To be extra safe, gently pour off the liquid through a ceramic or carbon filter to catch leftover grit and chemicals.
Fire Hydrants
Fire hydrants connect directly to the city’s main water lines. However, you need approval from local authorities or emergency services before using them. To collect safely, open the hydrant slowly and let it flow for a few minutes. Once the water turns clear, fill a clean container and use a portable filter. Then, treat the liquid with chlorine tablets to eliminate pathogens.
Final Thoughts on Finding Emergency Water Sources in the City
We often take clean drinking water for granted until it becomes unavailable. During an emergency, stored bottles are the safest option. Once you run out of supplies, that’s when you should turn to the urban sources we covered. Just remember to filter, boil, or treat every drop before taking a drink.
What’s the first urban water source you could reach on foot in your area?
FAQs: Emergency Water Sources
- What counts as an emergency water source?
Any backup supply you can collect and safely purify when tap water stops—like rain, wells, or runoff. - Is rainwater safe to drink?
Not right away. You need to filter it and either boil or disinfect it first. - Can I drink water from a fountain?
Only if it’s your last option—and you purify it thoroughly with filtration and boiling or tablets. - Are storm drains a safe option?
They’re risky and need careful filtering and purification. Use them only if no cleaner source is available. - How much water should I store?
FEMA recommends at least one gallon per person per day, for several days. - Is pool water safe to drink?
Not without treatment. Let chlorine off-gas, then filter and disinfect it before use. - Can I use a fire hydrant?
Yes, but only with permission from local authorities. Always filter and treat it. - What’s the easiest source to access in the city?
Rainwater is often the simplest if you have a clean catchment system. - Do I need special tools to purify water?
Basic filters, boiling, purification tablets, or a UV pen will do the job in most cases. - When should I start looking for emergency sources?
As soon as your stored supply runs low or authorities issue boil-water notices.
