Water-related disasters are not uncommon. In fact, they can occur at any time and in any place. If you’re lucky enough to live in a place where your water comes from safe and clean sources, then you might think that you don’t have to worry about water filtration or treatment systems. However, if there is ever a natural disaster or man-made event that disrupts the normal supply of drinking water in your area—such as when a hurricane, tornado, or ice storm hits—then you need to be prepared for potential contamination of your household’s primary source of hydration: water. Having a water filtration system as part of your disaster preparedness plan is paramount. 

Water-related Disasters are Not Uncommon and Can Be Dangerous

It’s important to know that water-related disasters are not uncommon. Floods and earthquakes can cause contaminated sources of drinking water, and the situation will only get worse after a disaster. Most common in the central part of North America is the potential of flooding. Excess flood water can contaminate private drinking water sources. This can occur when rainfall makes contact with the ground and comes into contact with things like animal waste. This is especially common in rural areas across the Midwest. This increases the amount of bacteria, sewage, and other industrial waste and chemicals that seep into the water source or leaky pipes. Additionally, the excess water makes it more difficult for water treatment devices to treat the water efficiently and effectively. When these issues arise, boil advisories take place, and access to clean water to drink and use can become sparse. 

Contaminated water sources can be extremely dangerous. Water can become contaminated by bacteria, viruses, and parasites; chemicals like arsenic or lead; heavy metals like mercury and cadmium; radioactive materials such as uranium; and more. These contaminants can make you sick if you drink the contaminated water or use it for activities such as washing your hands or cooking food (especially if you’re pregnant). Drinking or using this kind of contaminated water can lead to diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, and even death.

The Importance of Clean Drinking Water

Disaster or not, water is essential for human health. The average person can survive for about three weeks without food, but only three to five days without water. Water is also an important part of everyday life not just for survival but because it’s needed to hydrate, prepare food, and maintain personal hygiene. 

In the wake of a disaster, communities can experience limited availability of clean drinking water. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 10 Americans contracts an illness from contaminated drinking water each year. The CDC recommends using filters to ensure safe drinking water in any situation where you may not have access to it – and that includes after a disaster strikes your area.

Many disasters cause damage or disruption to local infrastructure systems like sewers, treatment plants and wells; this can lead to contamination of nearby surface waters with sewage-related bacteria like E Coli or Legionella pneumophila (a type of pneumonia). With a water filtration system in place at home, you’ll be able to continue with your normal routine, despite contaminated drinking water from a disaster like flooding.

How Can a Home Water Filter Help?

Water filtration is one of the most surefire ways to make sure you have safe water even in emergencies and disasters. Adding a water filtration system to your home can alleviate a lot of the pain points in your emergency preparedness plan. 

At its most basic, a water filter is a device that removes contaminants from water. There are several types of filters, each with its own method of removing contaminants. Activated carbon filters use carbon to adsorb chemicals from the water. Ion exchange filters remove minerals and other substances by replacing them with other minerals that are less harmful for human consumption. Reverse osmosis uses pressure to force clean water through a membrane while leaving behind heavy metals, salts, and other impurities.

Some of these filtration methods will leave you with up to 99.9% contaminant-free water to use for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and everything else your household may need. Culligan reverse osmosis systems are the optimal solution for clean drinking water coming out of your kitchen faucet. The Culligan Aquasential RO has the capability to produce up to 50 gallons of water per day, and our more advanced systems can provide even more quality water each day. Culligan Water also offers whole home water filtration systems that go beyond the kitchen to cut contamination at the source, filtering all of the water entering your home before reaching any pipes or taps. Depending on your specific home’s needs, the RO system or whole home system could be the right choice for you. Knowing your family’s needs and talking to a Culligan Water professional can help you make the right call. 

Other Benefits of Water Filtration Systems

Clean drinking water in crucial times of need isn’t the only reason to consider a water filtration system for your home. Bottled water is not a sustainable option in times of disaster or otherwise. Bottled water is costly and requires trips to the store often. If you were to rely on bottled water as your primary source of drinking water during a disaster situation, you would likely find it difficult to transport enough bottles to wherever you need them. Additionally, water filtration can be a cost-effective solution for your home. Price gouging in times of disaster is an unfortunate truth. Being able to create your own filtered water at home can end up saving you money. 

Explore Water Filtration Options with Culligan Water

Consider the professionals at Culligan Water of Kansas City-your water filtration experts. Whether you’re looking for something to add to your emergency preparedness plan or just want to add clean drinking water to your kitchen’s assets, we can find the right solution for your needs. Backed by over 70 years of trusted service, Culligan has built its reputation on providing high-quality products, such as water softeners and reverse osmosis systems. Contact us today to learn more about water filtration systems designed to keep you safe in times of disaster.