Finding Emergency Water Sources

When stored water runs out and normal supplies are unavailable, knowing where to find water becomes critical. Your home contains several potential water sources most people overlook. Beyond your home, natural and man made sources can provide water during extended emergencies.

Not all water sources are safe. Some require treatment before use while others should be avoided entirely. Understanding which sources are viable and how to access them safely can mean the difference between staying hydrated and facing a serious health crisis.

This guide identifies water sources commonly available during emergencies, explains how to access them safely, and clarifies which sources to avoid regardless of how desperate the situation becomes.

Water Sources Inside Your Home

Hot Water Heater

Your water heater tank holds 30 to 50 gallons of potable water. This is often the largest single water reserve in a home. To access it safely:

Turn off the power (electricity or gas) to the heater first. Open a hot water faucet somewhere in the house to break the vacuum. Open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and collect water in clean containers. The first water out may contain sediment. Let it clear before drinking.

Water heater water is already treated municipal water and is generally safe to drink without additional treatment, though filtering through cloth removes any sediment.

Toilet Tanks

The toilet tank (not the bowl) contains clean water suitable for treatment and drinking. This is the upper reservoir that refills after flushing, not the bowl itself. A standard tank holds 1.5 to 3 gallons.

Only use tank water if no chemical toilet cleaners or drop in tablets are present. These chemicals make the water unsafe regardless of treatment. The water requires treatment before drinking.

Pipes and Water Lines

When water service stops, water remains trapped in your home's pipes. Open the lowest faucet in the house (often a basement or first floor) and open a high faucet to allow air in. Gravity will drain remaining pipe water. You may get several gallons depending on your plumbing layout.

Ice and Ice Makers

Ice in freezers and ice makers is already treated water. As ice melts during a power outage, collect the water for drinking. A full ice maker reservoir can provide a gallon or more.

Canned Goods Liquid

Liquid from canned vegetables and fruits provides some hydration. While not a primary water source, this liquid can supplement other sources. The liquid is sterile from the canning process.

Outdoor Natural Sources

Natural water sources require treatment before drinking. Assume all outdoor water contains bacteria, parasites, or chemical contamination until treated.

Streams and Rivers

Moving water is generally safer than stagnant water but still requires treatment. Collect water from areas with good flow, away from obvious contamination sources. Upstream from human habitation is preferable when possible.

Springs

Natural springs where water emerges from the ground are often cleaner than surface water. However, springs can still contain contaminants. Look for springs with clear water and no obvious pollution sources nearby.

Ponds and Lakes

Standing water has higher contamination risk than moving water. Collect from as far from shore as safely possible. Avoid water with visible algae blooms, unusual colors, or surface films. Treatment is essential.

Rain and Dew

Fresh rainwater collected in clean containers is relatively safe. Dew collected from clean surfaces (not treated lawns) in early morning provides small amounts of water. Both benefit from treatment but are lower risk than ground water sources.

Snow and Ice

Clean snow can be melted for water. Avoid discolored snow or snow near roads (salt and chemical contamination). Melting snow requires energy, so collect water from other sources when available. Eating snow directly cools your body and is inefficient for hydration.

Man Made Outdoor Sources

Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs

Pool water contains chlorine and other treatment chemicals. It can be used for sanitation, washing, and toilet flushing. For drinking, pool water requires additional treatment to address chemical levels. Carbon filtration helps remove chlorine taste.

Water Features and Fountains

Decorative water features may contain algaecides or other chemicals. Use only for non potable purposes unless you know the water source and treatment history.

Fire Hydrants

During some emergencies, authorities may open fire hydrants for public water access. This is treated municipal water and safe for drinking. Do not attempt to open hydrants yourself as this requires special tools and may be illegal.

Commercial Buildings

Large buildings have water heaters, pipes, and sometimes storage tanks. During evacuations or shelter situations, these can provide significant water. Commercial water heaters may hold hundreds of gallons.

Sources to Avoid

Some water sources are dangerous regardless of treatment available:

Flood water: Contains sewage, chemicals, fuel, and countless contaminants. Even with treatment, chemical contamination makes flood water unsafe.

Water with chemical contamination: Industrial sites, fuel spills, pesticide applications. Standard treatment does not remove many chemical contaminants.

Radiator and car cooling systems: Contains antifreeze which is highly toxic even in small amounts.

Water softener discharge: High salt content makes this unsuitable for drinking.

Water with visible contamination: Oil films, unusual colors, strong chemical odors. Trust your senses and find an alternative source.

Toilet bowls: Even in clean homes, toilet bowls harbor bacteria that treatment may not fully address. Use tank water only.

Prioritizing Sources

When multiple sources are available, use them in this order:

First priority: Stored emergency water, water heater, ice. Already treated and safest options.

Second priority: Toilet tanks, pipe drainage, canned goods liquid. Requires minimal treatment.

Third priority: Rainwater, clean snow, springs. Natural sources with lower contamination risk.

Fourth priority: Streams, rivers, lakes. Higher contamination risk, requires thorough treatment.

Last resort: Pools, fountains, standing water. Use only when no other options exist.

Quick Reference Checklist

• Know how to drain your water heater before an emergency
• Check toilet tanks for chemical cleaners (avoid if present)
• Identify lowest faucet in home for pipe drainage
• Have water treatment supplies ready for uncertain sources
• Know locations of nearby natural water sources
• Avoid flood water and chemically contaminated sources
• Treat all outdoor water sources before drinking
• Use pool water for sanitation, not drinking