3 Top Tips to Survive a Water Shortage Emergency

Water Shortage Emergency

Just a few days ago, Hurricane Helene blazed through the eastern United States. The wind brought devastation across many areas, but the rain caused even more catastrophe in our local region.

Flash Flooding

Massive amounts of rainfall in short time periods caused flash floods in areas never prone to floods in the past. The combination of rising floodwaters in the rivers led to widespread loss of property from the rushing currents of water and debris.

Many people lost everything, some even their lives as the river swallowed up men, women, animals, and property.

Water Emergency in Greeneville, Tennessee

In my hometown, Greene County, Tennessee, we experienced an unexpected interruption in the water supply, which I will describe.

During many natural disasters, we lose power, which leads to most homes also experiencing a loss of water. With even privately-owned wells being powered by an electric well pump, many lose access to water in their homes.

Power Outages

At the beginning of this hurricane, many local citizens lost power with downed trees, flooding, and wind damage contributing. However, when the raging Nolichucky River began to rise and pick up speed, we began losing one bridge after another in the county.

With the collapse of one bridge, rushing water and debris traveled downstream and destroyed the water intake which supplies the water for the entire county. Immediately, 70,000 people already in crisis lost their water source.

Two Sides of Town

Also, because of the bridges destroyed, we suddenly faced a “South side” and a “North side” of the river, with no way to cross. This created a supply emergency, a medical crisis, and many other problems, since the “South side” has no stores, hospitals, or businesses.

Over the next week, local government has worked tirelessly to provide water and necessities to people, and to open up roadways to the other side.

Our Town a Microcosm

Our area is only a small sample of the country. Similar situations developed in so many regions, with much worse damage to some due to flooding and washed out bridges and roads.

This truly has been a national crisis.

Who ever heard of a hurricane affecting Tennessee? Not me. At least not like this.

Tips for Wise Water Consumption from an Off Gridder

With that background, I felt the need to distill some wise advice for all of us in the area of water conservation.

This topic has actually been on my mental list of blog articles to write for a couple of years.

Off Grid Water Conservation

At the time when I originally considered sharing it, our family was living in our camper on our off grid property. We actually lived with rain water catchment, then eventually a well, which we pumped up to a gravity fed holding tank. Our solar setup was small, and we had to be super careful to use our water wisely, or we’d simply live without. We got really good at bucket baths with just small amounts of water.

I never wrote that post, because I convinced myself that the topic did not apply to most people, who simply had to flip on a faucet to release unlimited supplies of water. Now I see that we can all use the advice, and hopefully we will never need it.

That was a long introduction, but pertinent.

Today I am sharing my top tips for wise water usage from an off gridder because I believe we can all apply some of these principles.

Wise water usage can be summed up in three main areas.

• Reduce consumption
• Tap into free water
• Recycle

If you prefer, you may watch the video version of this topic.

Reduce Water Consumption

• Prioritize drinking water. Always stay hydrated, so don’t skimp on actual water intake.
• Utilize non-water items such as hand sanitizer, baby wipes, dry shampoo and ready-mixed foods and beverages, if accessible.
• Foods: focus on one-pot meals in which no water is wasted or drained. This also decreases pots to wash.
• Use disposable kitchen items during a crisis.
• Line bowls with plastic to prolong cleanliness of the bowl, and reuse without washing.
• For bathing, use a small amount of water in a bowl/pan and take a “sponge bath”. Wash “clean” areas first, like face and limbs, then wash “dirty” areas last, to avoid contamination of water.
• Use disposable washcloths or wipes in a water crisis.
• Skip washing hair except when necessary, not every bath.
• Clothing: designate “dirty duds” and “everyday” duds. Use the dirty duds for dirty tasks and keep them separate. Use the other clothing for light work, and only wash when actually dirty.

Tap Into Free Water

This pertains to people going through a water shortage emergency, not everyday water conservation.

• Catch rain water. Use buckets, pans, clean trash cans, and whatever you can find. This non-potable water can be used for flushing toilets and washing needs.
• Water heater. If you are experiencing a water emergency, and have lost access to your water supply, you will likely still have 40-60 gallons of water in your tank. You can use this with the spout at the bottom.
• Dehumidifier. If you are using one, you will collect a surprising amount of water in the reservoir.
• Swimming pools can be used to harvest water to flush toilets and for wash water.
• Neighbors with a well—many are very willing to share what they have with others in the way of filling buckets, offering showers, or similar luxuries.
• Natural water sources, like creeks, ponds, streams, etc. You can gather water with a bucket or pump if you have access, but these will need to be sanitized if not just used to flush or water plants.

Recycle Water

Try to use water more than once.

• Use cooking water for watering plants or flushing.
• Use bath water for watering and flushing.
• Use “cook water” twice, as in strain water, then use for another recipe.

Simple Ways to Conserve Water in a Shortage Crisis

These are some simple measures that everyone of us can take, whether we find ourselves in the midst of a water shortage crisis, a power outage, an off grid situation, or even out camping with limited water.

Always remember to only use potable water for drinking, and treat any water by approved methods if in doubt.

Greene County, Tennessee Update

Our local water supply system has almost complatelet been restored, a task accomplished in less than a week since the pipe across the river broke and the intake station got destroyed.

Our agencies have worked hard for our local people, and everyone is so very thankful. We are still under a boil water recommendation, as the river water has been grossly contaminated by everything that has washed down it during this past week.

Look Out for Your Neighbor

Be safe, stay hydrated, and look out for your friends and neighbors during this water emergency situation and beyond!