Know the source
Write down the safe source, what can affect it, and where current local notices appear.
90-Day Household Preparedness · Water · Page 11
A printable field-guide page with practical household steps, planning context, and a direct link back to the full 90-day edition.
By Dan Whelan, founder of New World Survival
Researched from government agencies, university extension services, and other published sources. See our sources
Why this matters
A durable water plan names the local source, the authority that issues notices, the supplies you already have, and the point at which you will obtain help or relocate. Write those decisions down before a disruption.
Write down the safe source, what can affect it, and where current local notices appear.
Use suitable containers, protect them from heat and chemicals, and keep the reserve manageable.
Use only the treatment method that fits the actual contaminant and the current advisory.
Put it on paper
Use this simple table to record the decision, the household-specific detail, and the next time you will test or update it.
| Question | Household answer | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| What water is safe now? | Record stored water and known potable sources. | Check containers and write the next refill or rotation date. |
| What could change that answer? | List local advisories, flood risk, and contamination concerns. | Save the official notice source and treatment plan. |
| Who needs more water or support? | Note pets, medical needs, heat, and mobility limits. | Adjust storage and carry plans before an event. |
Printable reference
Use the original layout for its complete worksheet, visual table relationships, and print-ready details. The web article explains the same planning work in a responsive format.
Download the full guideFor current advice during an actual event, check relevant public guidance and local instructions.
About the author
Dan Whelan is the founder of New World Survival. He and his wife Vicki rode out Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and spent the week after sorting donations at a relief center in Homestead. More than thirty years of household preparedness later, he built this site to pass on what works. Read their story