How to Ensure Safe Drinking Water During a Disaster: A Practical Guide

When a natural disaster happens, our normal lives are turned upside down. Things we use every day, like clean water from the tap, are often the first things to stop working. Disasters affect our water in different ways. Floods and hurricanes can mix sewage, chemicals, and dirt into the water supply. Earthquakes and landslides can break water pipes, completely stopping the flow of water. Wildfires can dirty lakes with ash, and power outages can stop the machines that clean and pump our water, making it unsafe to drink.

Water is #1: The Most Important Thing You Need

In an emergency, water is the most important thing. You need it more than food or shelter to stay alive. Your body needs water for temperature control and to keep organs working properly. You can get dehydrated very fast. You might start to feel thirsty, tired, and dizzy in just a few hours. In a stressful time like a disaster, not having enough water can be very dangerous in only a day or two. A good rule is to have one gallon of water per person per day.

Be Aware: Boiling Isn’t Enough

If your tap water isn’t safe, you need to clean it before drinking. Boiling water is a common solution because it kills many germs, like bacteria and viruses. But boiling doesn’t remove harmful contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, or dissolved chemicals — it can even concentrate them as water evaporates.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration goes one step further. A RO filter has tiny holes to block things from getting into your water. It not only removes bacteria and viruses but also filters out up to 99% of impurities like lead, arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, PFAS, chlorine, pesticides, and microplastics. things boiling can’t touch. With RO, you get cleaner, safer, better-tasting water, even when you don’t know what’s lurking in your tap.

Here’s a direct comparison between boiling and using a countertop Reverse Osmosis system:

Feature / Contaminant	Boiling Water	Countertop Reverse Osmosis (RO) System
Bacteria & Viruses	Effective (Kills most biological pathogens)	Highly Effective (Filters out biological pathogens)
Heavy Metals (e.g., Lead, Arsenic)	Not Effective (Can increase concentration)	Highly Effective (Removes up to 99%)
Chemicals (e.g., Chlorine, PFAS)	Not Effective	Highly Effective (Removes up to 99%)
Microplastics	Not Effective	Highly Effective (Removes particles)
Taste & Odor	May taste flat; doesn't remove chemical taste	Significantly Improved (Removes chlorine)
Convenience	Requires time to boil and cool	Provides purified water on demand
Energy Requirement	Requires a heat source (gas or electricity)	Requires electricity to operate

Be Prepared: Store Water Before You Need It

The best way to know you have safe water is to store it before a disaster happens. Here are three tips to help you store water properly so it stays clean and safe for when you need it.

Use FDA-Approved Containers

Always use containers made for food and water and ones that are FDA-approved. Do not use old milk, soda, or juice jugs because they can contain tiny molecules leftover that can help bacteria grow. Never use containers that once held chemicals.

Clean & Sanitize Containers

Prior to filling the containers, clean and sanitize them to prevent the water from getting contaminated. First, wash the containers with soap and hot water and rinse them well. Next, make a cleaning mix with one teaspoon of plain household bleach and one quart of water. Pour this mix into your container, shake it so it touches all the inside parts, and then empty it. Rinse it with clean water one more time before you fill it up.

Store water in a cool, dark place

Sunlight can damage the container and encourage the growth of bacteria. A closet or a basement is a good spot. Write the date on each container when you fill it. Use and refill the water every six months.

Be Ready: How ROPOT Can Help

When disaster strikes, clean water becomes your most critical resource. While storing bottled or filtered water should always be your first line of defense, emergencies can last longer than expected — and when your stored supply runs out, you need a backup plan.

All of us at Bluevua believe the best way to prepare is to combine stored water with a reliable water purifier. A portable Reverse Osmosis system like the Bluevua ROPOT can make a life-saving difference. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you can turn unsafe tap water into safe drinking water on demand — protecting your family when it matters most.

Plan ahead for power outages. Since the ROPOT requires electricity, it’s smart to “pour and store” when a storm or natural disaster is approaching. Simply use your ROPOT to fill up clean and sterilized containers with purified water before the power goes out. If you have a generator or portable power station, you can keep producing fresh water throughout the emergency.

Please don’t wait until it’s too late. Make a plan to ensure safe drinking water during a disaster. It is one of the smartest, simplest steps you can take today.