Before a survivor can even think about purifying water, they first must find an adequate water source. The easiest and safest form of water is bottled water, should there be any unopened bottles left to find. It has already been purified and does not require the following steps. Unfortunately, in the zombie apocalypse there are many other scavengers looking for supplies, so the chances of finding enough, if any, to keep a steady supply are very slim. The only choice left is to find water from other sources. When choosing water sources, those inside the home are most likely to be the cleanest. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests getting water from a water heater tank, melted ice cubes, or from a toilet tank free of chemicals
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If there is ever a doubt in the condition of the water, one should purify it just in case. There are also water sources outside of the home, such as rainwater, wells, streams, rivers, and lakes. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, stagnant water is more likely to be unsafe than flowing water. Therefore, rainwater, streams, and running rivers would be the best choices, though the others can still be used. If the water collected has floating objects, a foul odor, or an abnormal color, do not use it. If there are any zombies or zombie remains in the water source, do not use that source. It is unsure how zombie infection is transmitted other than being bitten, but it’s best to take no …show more content…
If the water is turbid, murky, or has any visible sediments, then it needs to be filtered. To do this, pour the water through clean cloth or coffee filters. Repeat this step until the water is clear; this indicates that it is ready to be disinfected. There are several options to disinfect water. The most effective way is boiling because it kills most microorganisms that cause disease. The CDC suggests bringing the water to a boil for 1 minute in normal places and 3 minutes for high elevations. Once the water cools, it can be stored. If boiling can’t be performed, unscented household chlorine bleach can be used to kill some bacteria. The University of Georgia: Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences state that two drops of chlorine bleach should be added to each quart of water and let stand for at least 30 minutes. This allows time for the chlorine to kill the bacteria in the water, making it safe to drink. Another method of disinfection is 2% household iodine. Five drops can be added to a quart of water to disinfect it, according to the EPA. As with bleach, let the iodine stand for 30 minutes to allow it to take effect. More options, though less common, are commercial chlorine and iodine tablets specially made for disinfecting water. With these, it is important to follow manufacturer’s instructions because they may vary depending on kind and brand. These tablets would be very helpful
If there is ever a doubt in the condition of the water, one should purify it just in case. There are also water sources outside of the home, such as rainwater, wells, streams, rivers, and lakes. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, stagnant water is more likely to be unsafe than flowing water. Therefore, rainwater, streams, and running rivers would be the best choices, though the others can still be used. If the water collected has floating objects, a foul odor, or an abnormal color, do not use it. If there are any zombies or zombie remains in the water source, do not use that source. It is unsure how zombie infection is transmitted other than being bitten, but it’s best to take no …show more content…
If the water is turbid, murky, or has any visible sediments, then it needs to be filtered. To do this, pour the water through clean cloth or coffee filters. Repeat this step until the water is clear; this indicates that it is ready to be disinfected. There are several options to disinfect water. The most effective way is boiling because it kills most microorganisms that cause disease. The CDC suggests bringing the water to a boil for 1 minute in normal places and 3 minutes for high elevations. Once the water cools, it can be stored. If boiling can’t be performed, unscented household chlorine bleach can be used to kill some bacteria. The University of Georgia: Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences state that two drops of chlorine bleach should be added to each quart of water and let stand for at least 30 minutes. This allows time for the chlorine to kill the bacteria in the water, making it safe to drink. Another method of disinfection is 2% household iodine. Five drops can be added to a quart of water to disinfect it, according to the EPA. As with bleach, let the iodine stand for 30 minutes to allow it to take effect. More options, though less common, are commercial chlorine and iodine tablets specially made for disinfecting water. With these, it is important to follow manufacturer’s instructions because they may vary depending on kind and brand. These tablets would be very helpful