Stock up on emergency supplies: this is how water supplies last as long as possible

Created: 2022-10-02 04:56

Whether it's a power failure, a storm or other events: you should always have a large supply of drinking water at home for emergencies.

Humans can go up to three weeks without food.

Without liquid, however, it becomes difficult after a short time.

Experts estimate that we can survive four days without liquid.

Since the tap water can also fail in an emergency - such as a blackout - it is advisable to always have a supply of drinks in the house.

The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BKK) recommends taking precautions for at least 10 days, based on the following guidelines:

• Keep 2 liters of drinks available per person per day.

  Of this, 0.5 liters are provided as liquid for cooking.

  So for a 10-day supply you have to reckon with 20 liters per person.

  Also think about drinking water for your pets.

• (Mineral) water, fruit juices or other beverages that can be stored for a longer period of time are suitable as beverages.

• It is best to only stock up on drinks that you and your family will otherwise use.

Everyone should have an emergency supply of drinking water in the house.

Mineral water can be kept almost indefinitely.

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How to store drinking water correctly?

In principle, drinking water should always be stored in a dry, cool and dark place.

In this way, the quality is retained for as long as possible.

Sun and heat, on the other hand, have a negative effect on taste and shelf life.

How long water basically lasts also depends on the species.

Mineral water can be kept almost indefinitely

In principle, mineral water has an unlimited shelf life as long as it is kept in an originally sealed bottle.

This is guaranteed by the hygienic filling and its natural purity.

Carbonation also makes drinks last longer.

Mineral water can therefore be drunk without hesitation even after the best-before date (MHDs) has expired.

Manufacturers still specify an MHD because it is required by law.

When it comes to storing mineral water, glass bottles have a clear advantage over plastic bottles: "The glass bottle guarantees a shelf life of several years with an unchanged taste," writes the Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE), while the carbon dioxide from PET bottles (polyethylene terephthalate) degrades over time can escape.

That is why manufacturers indicate a best before date (MHD) of only about one year, while it is two years for glass bottles.

And PET bottles have another disadvantage: if plastic bottles are stored incorrectly and left in the blazing sun, acetaldehyde can escape from the bottle into the drink.

According to the BZfE, this is harmless to health, but leads to an undesirable taste.

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Preserve tap water – this is how it works

Even bottled water, such as tap water, threatens to become contaminated with germs after a short time under the influence of light, heat and oxygen.

This water must therefore be kept germ-free.

There are different methods for this:

• Tablets, powder:

  You can conserve drinking water for up to six months with various agents in tablet or powder form that are available from specialist retailers.

  Suitable storage containers for this are water canisters that are food safe and BPA-free.

  Make sure that the containers are cleaned before each use so that the agents can work.

• Waking Water:

  Water can be stored longer if it is quenched.

  For this

  boil the water and let it cool down.

  Then pour into the preserving jars that have also been boiled (do not forget the sealing ring and lid), close and store in a dark, cool and frost-free place.

• Water filters with activated carbon

  can clean already contaminated or cloudy water, which is why they can also be used to clean natural water sources such as streams, rivers or lakes.

Not only a sufficient supply of food can be useful in an emergency.

In the event of a long-lasting power failure, cooking or heating also becomes difficult.

Essentials like a camping stove or a supply of firewood can come in handy during a blackout.

And an emergency backpack should also be packed for emergencies.