Securing water during water outages

　Due to Typhoon No. 15, water outages continue in various places such as Chiba Prefecture.

　The cause of this water outage was a power outage. Water purification plants stop working due to power outages, pumps stop working, and water cannot be pumped or sent.

　In the case of condominiums and other housing complexes, water is pumped up from the water supply pipe to a water tank on the roof, etc., but it has stopped due to a power outage. In addition, the elevator will stop, so if you live on a higher floor, it will be difficult to buy water and carry it to your house. Since the power supply for each home and the power supply for common spaces are different, there are cases where the electricity is on but the water supply is off.

Based on the water supply provided by the Waterworks Bureau

　The basis for securing water is the water supply of the Waterworks Bureau. First, check the water supply information on the website of the waterworks bureau.

　(Reference) Information on each water supply business in Chiba Prefecture

　It is better to use a plastic tank when supplying water. It is easy to carry if you hold the 10 liter capacity type in both hands. It can also be carried in a carry bag. If you don't have a plastic tank because it's an emergency, you can use a container with a lid, such as a 2-liter plastic bottle. It is also convenient to put it in the carry bag.

After watering, attach a tag or sellotape to the container, and write with a magic pen when the water was supplied. Store in a cool, dark place and drink for up to 3 days. However, if you put it directly in your mouth, it will be contaminated with various bacteria, so be careful.

Use rainwater for domestic use (not for drinking)

　The rain that started to fall contains dirt in the air and on the roof, but the water quality of the rain that has continued for about 30 minutes is close to that of distilled water. Collect rainwater directly from the gutter into a bucket or directly in a tub or plastic bucket, and use it for flushing the toilet, washing clothes, wiping the body, and washing the dishes.

Use clean spring water for daily use (not for drinking)

　The following diagram shows how to distinguish clean spring water.

However, even if it looks clean, it may be contaminated with various germs, so boiling disinfection or simple sterilization is performed.

●Simple filtering

1) Make a homemade water purifier as shown in the figure.

2) Filter with a water purifier to make simple filtered water.

3) Make two home-made water purifiers and combine them in two stages.

●Simple disinfection

　Simple filtration cannot remove substances dissolved in water, and bacteria removal is incomplete. Therefore, sterilization with sodium hypochlorite is performed last, as is done at water purification plants.

1) Fill three separately prepared PET bottles (2 liters) with simple filtered water.

2) Add a few drops of chlorine bleach (the same ingredient as the disinfectant at the water purification plant) to one of the three plastic bottles. Chlorine-based bleaches such as "Bleach" and "Haiter" are good. "Kitchen Haiter" cannot be used because it contains detergent.

3) Mix the plastic bottled water containing chlorine bleach with the other two plastic bottled waters to dilute the chlorine. Be careful how you dilute the bleach.

Maintaining health while saving water

Humans need 2 liters of water a day to survive. On hot days you will need more water. First secure 3 liters of drinking water, and devise ways to use other water. Depending on the water purification facility, there are cases where the amount of water stored is low. Water saving methods are summarized below.

・Even if the water supply is cut off, if the sewage system is not broken, it can be flushed manually. Flush with about 7 liters of water in a bucket.

・You can save water by making a simple toilet by putting sand, sawdust, etc. in a cardboard box.

1) Clip your nails

2) Remove dirt between fingers and wrinkles

3) Sprinkle water with a watering can

4) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap

5) Rinse with water with a watering can etc.

1) Clean teeth and between teeth with a toothbrush

2) Wipe off the dirt on the toothbrush with a tissue

3) Gargle a few times with a small amount of water

4) If you don't have a toothbrush, wipe off the plaque with a clean towel and gargle.

1) Stay in a shaded and well-ventilated place

2) If there is no screen in the window of the gymnasium and you cannot open it, put something with mesh to prevent insects from entering.

3) Replenish water once every 30 minutes to 1 hour

*Although it should be avoided as much as possible when the water supply is cut off, there may be cases where it is necessary.

1) Avoid the sun with a hat, towel, sun cream, etc.

2) Drink water and stretch before starting work

3) Wet a quick-drying towel with water and wrap it around your neck.

4) Sound the alarm every 30 minutes, replenish water and salt

5) If you are not feeling well, keep quiet and don't try too hard

6) Don't miss the signs of people who are unwell around you

7) If you feel hot flashes, sluggishness, or headaches, go to a shaded and well-ventilated place. Loosen your clothes. Cool the back of the neck, arms and groin

Mix 1 liter of water, 40 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of salt.

Washing with a washboard

　Use plastic wrap to keep the dishes from getting dirty. A paper plate is fine.

1) Start from the beginning. Use a small container (such as a plastic bottle cut in half) to scoop hot water from a bucket and wet your head. At this time, place a washbasin under your head so that the hot water you flushed into the washbasin. When the washbasin is full of hot water, scoop up the water from the washbasin and wet your head. The hot water is also received in the washbasin.

2) Wash your head with shampoo, pour the hot water from the basin into a container, and rinse. After rinsing to some extent, rinse with a bucket of clean hot water to finish.

3) Draw hot water from the bucket into a container, wash the body, and flush.

　Finally, I wish everyone good health and a speedy recovery.