Water is one of the essential resources we use every day. As long as it flows from the tap, we don’t usually give much thought to what to do in the event of a sudden burst pipe, a prolonged power cut or the need to leave our home. That is precisely why setting up an emergency water supply should be one of the key elements of a household safety plan.
The stock itself is however only the first step. If the difficulties last longer, it may prove useful to also consider using an alternative source of water and its filtration.
Why is it worth preparing yourself for an interruption in the supply of water?
A water shortage does not necessarily have to be linked to any one specific scenario. Temporary restrictions on access to running water may occur, amongst other things, as a result of:
- failure of the water supply network,
- damage to infrastructure,
- flooding or water ingress,
- extreme weather events,
- a prolonged power cut,
- the need for a temporary evacuation,
- staying in a place without access to mains water.
A prolonged power cut may also affect the operation of the water supply infrastructure. This is why a water supply has been included in the recommendations on preparing households for emergencies.
How much water should you keep at home in case of an emergency?
In accordance with the recommendations set out in the ‘Safety Guide’, you should ensure you have at least 3 litres of water per person per day, and the supply should last for at least three days. In practice, this means a minimum of:
- 9 litres per one person,
- 18 litres for two people,
- 27 litres for three people,
- 36 litres for a family of four.
It is worth bearing in mind that, these are the minimum values. Water is needed not only for drinking, but also for preparing food and basic hygiene routines. Therefore, depending on the number of household members and the available space it is a good idea to prepare a slightly larger supply.
Why does the storage of water have its own limitations?
Storing water is the simplest way to prepare yourself for the first hours or days of a power cut. The problem arises when the disruption lasts for a longer period. Water is heavy and takes up a lot of space. That is why even a basic supply for a family of a few people family quickly becomes a big burden. This is even more important when it is necessary to move or evacuate.
For this reason, it is worth considering contingency planning in two areas:
supply of water for the first few days + an additional option to obtain and filter it.
This model enables greater independence from infrastructure and provides more opportunities for action, if the situation lasts longer than initially expected.
Alternative access to water – what should you plan for?
A good contingency plan should not be based on a single solution. As well as stocking up on water, it’s worth thinking about the following in advance:
- where are the potential water sources in the immediate vicinity,
- in what it can be transported and stored,
- how it can be filtered,
- which solutions work without access to electricity.
One of the devices that can fulfil this function is a portable survival water filter.
What is a survival water filter?
Survival water filter is a portable device that enables filtering of water outside a standard domestic water supply system. Depending on the design it may use several methods of purification, including:
- filtration mechanical,
- filtration by sedimentation,
- ultrafiltration,
- activated carbon,
- additional filtration beds.
A significant advantage of filters fitted with a manual pump is the ability to operate without access to electricity.Thanks to this, they can be used not only during expeditions or camping trips, but also as part of equipment prepared for a breakdown in infrastructure.
How does a manual water filter work?
The filtration process may consist of several consecutive stages.
- Prefiltration – first stage retains larger mechanical impurities and limits their passing into further parts of the system.
- Filtration sedimentation – the sedimentation filter is responsible for retaining finer particles such as sand, silt and other particles, such as sand, silt or sediments.
- Ultrafiltration – in FITAQUA outdoor filters, an ultrafiltration membrane also purifies the water. It removes colloids and microorganisms, whilst also reducing the number of some bacteria and viruses.
- Activated carbon and additional filter media – It is possible to add additional cartridges to enrich the filtered water with minerals
In our range you’ll find 3-stage survival water filter.
When could a portable water filter be useful?
A manual filter for outdoor use is not a solution intended exclusively for people interested in survival. It may be used in many situations.
- Water main failure – If the water supply disruption is prolonged, finding an alternative source of water may become a key part of your preparations.
- A prolonged outage in the supply of electricity – a device fitted with a mechanical pump does not require power, therefore it can operate independently of the mains electricity supply.
- Evacuation – pTransporting large quantities of water is difficult. A small, portable filtration unit could be a useful addition to your kit.
- Camping and expeditions in the great outdoors – filter can be used whilst camping, practising bushcraft, travelling or staying in places without access to running water.
- Situations involving damage to infrastructure – Floods, severe weather events or localised breakdowns may temporarily restrict access to standard water supplies.
Can a survival water filter be part of the emergency equipment?
Yes, but it’s best to treat it as a supplement, and not a substitute for a supply of water. The most important thing is to ensure you have a sufficient supply of water for the first few days. A filter, however, can extend the system’s capabilities in situations where supplies are running low and access to the mains water supply remains limited. This is particularly important during a prolonged stay away from home or when it is necessary to use an alternative source of water.
Survival water filter in an evacuation backpack
In the event that it becomes necessary to leave home, what counts above all else is mobility. Water very quickly increases the weight of the rucksack. A few litres intended solely for drinking means a few extra kilograms.
That is why a survival water filter may be one of the items of additional equipment. It does not eliminate the need to take a supply of water with you at the start, but it may prove helpful during longer journeys or when staying away from a place with access to a reliable source.
Can any water be safely filtered?
No. This is one of the most important rules regarding the use of on-site filtration. A filter may reduce certain types of contaminants, but this does not mean that all water is automatically safe to drink after filtering. Particular care should be taken with water:
- located near industrial plants, industrial,
- which may come into contact with sewage,
- originating from chemically contaminated areas,
- containing unknown substances,
- originating from areas subject to an official ban on the use of water.
In an emergency, the priority should be to follow the instructions issued by the health authorities, local authorities and relevant organisations.
How do you draw up a contingency plan for water supply?
It is best to tackle this in stages.
- Prepare a basic supply – allowat least 3 litres of water per person per day for at least three days.
- Check your stored water regularly – scheck the condition of the containers and the storage conditions.
- Have some extra containers to hand – theymay come in handy if the opportunity arises to collect more water.
- Consider a solution that does not require electricity – manual water filter may be one of the items of equipment for in the event of a prolonged breakdown.
- Get to know your local area – itis worth knowing where potential alternative water sources are located.
- Follow official announcements – andinformation regarding water quality, contamination or local outages should take precedence over independent decisions.
Being prepared does not mean assuming the worst-case scenario. A home emergency plan is primarily designed to increase resilience in situations where, for a certain period of time, we are unable to use infrastructure as we normally would. A torch, a power bank, and a basic supply of food or water may remain unused most of the time. Their importance becomes apparent when normal solutions are no longer available.
When it comes to water, sensible preparation can therefore be boiled down to two elements: securing a supply for the first few days and preparing an alternative method of filtration. A portable filter that works without electricity can be a useful part of such a plan, whilst also serving as a device for use on outdoor trips or when camping.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about the field filter
How much water should you have in case of an emergency?
The minimum is 3 litres per person per day for at least three days. For a family of four, this means a minimum of 36 litres. Water filters for emergency situations…
Does the outdoor filter work without electricity?
If it is fitted with a manual pump, it does not require a power supply electric. This is how the models described in the material sent work.
Can a survival water filter replace a water supply?
No. It should be regarded as a supplement to the stock, and not as a substitute for it.
Is an off-road suitable for an evacuation rucksack?
It may be one of the items of optional equipment, particularly if the aim is to limit the weight luggage and the ability to filter water away from home.
Is a field filter only suitable for survival?
No. It can be used also whilst camping, travelling, stays on a plot of land or in emergency situations.
Is water from the river safe to drink all the time after it has been filtered?
No. It all depends on the type of contaminants and the capabilities of the specific filter. You should avoid sources suspected of chemical contamination or contact with sewage.