Did you know that already after three to four days without water, the body's cells - and the brain - begin to be drained of water. With disastrous consequences?
But how much water should you store for drinking, hygiene, cleaning and cooking? How long can water last? And where can you conveniently collect drinking water if the tap suddenly runs out of life-giving drops?
Find out more about water storage on this page.
Therefore, the body needs water
Water is one of the most important building blocks in your body. Actually consists of approx. 60 per cent of your body of water.
Water is essential for many of the body's functions. It helps break down food and transport nutrients, which is necessary for digestion.
Water also regulates the body's salt balance and adjusts the body temperature through sweat and ensures that you can discharge waste products via the kidneys - among other things.
That's how long you can survive without water
A rule of thumb is that under normal conditions, an adult and healthy person can survive for about a week without water.
If you're injured, sick or roasting in 30 degree heat under the summer sun, dehydrate your body faster and shave a few days off your survival deadline.
Conversely, if the weather is a little cooler, it will take a little longer before dehydration sets in, and you will therefore be able to manage for up to 10 days without water.
This is how much water you should drink in a day
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration rule of thumb is that you should drink a minimum of between 1-1.5 liters of water per day.
For a family of four, the minimum need for drinking water in a week will therefore sound roughly like this:
Drinking water: 1.5 liters per person per day × 4 people × 7 days = 42 litres
In Denmark, each person uses an average of around 100 liters of water per day. day for cooking, bathing, toilet etc. within household.
This is shown in the water sector's key figures, 'Water in numbers 2023'.
In emergency situations, it is not possible to use such large quantities of water for hygiene, and it is advantageous to reduce the water requirement to a minimum of between 0.5-1 liter of water per day.
This gives the following calculation:
Water for hygiene and cooking: 1 liter per person per day × 4 people × 7 days = 28 litres
Overall, a family of four should therefore have a minimum of 70 liters of water available for a week's consumption during emergencies.
The National Emergency Management Agency's recommendation is that citizens should have an emergency stock that lasts for three days, and the recommendation regarding water is 3 liters per person per day. There is also water for any pets.
This gives the following calculation for a family of 4 without pets:
3 liters per person per day × 4 people × 3 days = 36 litres
Overall, you should have between 9 and 18 liters of clean water in stock per person in the household.
That's how long water can last
Unlike food, water has no expiration date. If the drinking water is basically clean and without bacteria, it can last forever.
However, this does not mean that a water bottle that has been sitting in the cellar for years tastes good.
Water stored in plastic bottles can have a strange taste. This is because other fragrances can penetrate the bottle - even if it has never been opened.
If the bottle or water container has been opened, bacteria can enter, and over time this can make the water undrinkable.
It is therefore important that you store your drinking water under the most optimal conditions.
4 tips for storing water
- Get the right containers: Choose containers that are robust, food-grade and free of Bisphenol A (BPA), a substance that damages fertility and is a hormone disruptor. The plastic material HDPE is known for its strength, durability and ability to resist chemicals. This makes the container ideal for long-term storage of drinking water without releasing harmful substances.
- Sterilize containers before use: Regular cleaning and disinfection ensures that the water containers remain free of bacteria and algae, which can impair water quality. Therefore, it is a good idea to sterilize your water container before first use and after each emptying. You do this by disinfecting the container with disinfectants such as calcium hypochlorite or chlorine-based tablets.
- Store the water in a cool and dark place: Direct sunlight and heat can accelerate the growth of bacteria and degrade the container's material over time, compromising the safety and shelf life of the water. Therefore, make sure to store your water containers in a cool and dark place, such as in the basement or garage, for example.
- Inspect and replace the water regularly: Inspect the water supply and containers regularly for signs of contamination, damage or algae growth. If you want to be on the safe side, it is recommended that you replace the drinking water at least once a year.
Tip: Quench your thirst with these 6 water-rich foods
Watermelon
90-92 per cent water
Cucumber
97 per cent water
Tomatoes
94 per cent water
Strawberry
90 per cent water
Honeydew melon
94 per cent water
Bell pepper
91 per cent water
Alternative sources of clean drinking water
90 percent of the drinking water in Denmark comes from groundwater. Before it is sent out to consumers, it is aerated and filtered at waterworks.
If the water supply is out of order and your water storage is used up, there are fortunately alternative ways to get clean drinking water.
Natural water sources
There are three different types of water sources in Denmark: pond sources, stream sources and swamp sources. The water from these sources consists of rainwater, which is discharged into creeks and streams.
The water from these sources can be used as drinking water, but must be purified, as it often contains plant residues, small animals or waste from industry, animals or people.
Collection of rainwater
Rain is basically relatively pure when it forms in the clouds. On the way down to the ground, the droplets collect particles from the air over cities and industrial areas, but nothing of major health significance.
You can therefore advantageously collect rainwater for drinking water use. You can, among other things, do by installing special filters in your downpipes, which clean the rainwater of harmful substances before it is directed further.
And let the rainwater run on your roof for half an hour before you start collecting it. Then you get bird droppings and other rubbish washed off the roofs before the rainwater ends up in the container.
NOTE: Always boil the water before use
It is incredibly important that you purify the water you have obtained from natural sources before you drink it or use it for cooking - even if you have run it through a purification filter first - as it may contain bacteria, viruses and other harmful substances .
The safest method is to boil the water. Bacteria cannot survive in boiling water. If you boil your drinking water for a minimum of one to two minutes, you are sure that the drinking water does not hide any unpleasant, microscopic surprises.
