Essential Guide: How to Survive a Water Outage and Stay Fully Prepared

What would you do if you got up one morning, turned the tap, and no water came out? 

The United States has historically had some of the safest and most reliable drinking water on the planet. As our infrastructure ages and demand for water increases, you should be prepared for interruptions to this crucial survival resources.  

Whether you're facing a scheduled service disruption or an unexpected outage, preparation is key.

This guide equips MIRA Safety customers—people committed to protecting their families and staying ready for emergencies—with actionable tips to navigate water outages confidently.

Source:  Walter Randlehoff on Unsplash

Understanding Water Outages and Reporting Issues

You probably don't think about the systems that carry your water into and out of your home - unless they break down.

We'll cover how the water system works, what problems can occur, and steps you can take if that happens. 

Where Does Drinking Water Come From? 

Water service is usually administered by the city or county of a particular location. Water is draw from ground water like wells or surfaces water like lakes and rivers. 

This water is collected by local distribution centers, purified, and then transported through water lines, pumps, and valves into individual buildings. These water systems also pipe wastewater into treatment plants, purifying it for reuse. 

Source:  Leo Escala on Unsplash

What Causes Water Outages 

Most of the time, this distribution system hums along smoothly. Nothing is perfect, however, and common disruptions include:

• Harsh weather - droughts, floods, or tornados can all disrupt public utilities 

• Power outage - the distribution system relies on electricity, and extended power outages can interrupt service

• Construction - sometimes there are planned interruptions to dig new lines or repair old ones

• Accidental damage - sometimes a water main breaks and service is out during the repair process. 

If there is scheduled maintenance to your neighborhood water service line, you'll likely get an advanced notification that the repair crew is working. 

How to Report a Water Outage Effectively 

What should you do if there's no water to your home, and there was no advanced notice why? 

Just like with any other utility outage, you should report it. Here are a few tips to make that process go more smoothly:

• Know the name of your local utility company 

• Check online for a "reported outages" page to see if it's a known issue

• Know the phone line for your region's direct contact

• Keep a list of phone numbers/contact info for your homes utility providers 

• Watch out for scammers mimicking the name or logo of your real utility provider 

If you can, do some investigating so that you can provide the utility company with more details. Do you see pooled water by the street or by a hydrant? Do your neighbors have access? Sometimes these details can help the repair crews identify the problem and restore service more quickly. 

How to Read a Water Outage Map 

If your water outage is extensive, the utility company might issue a water outage map. These can show you exactly which neighborhoods are affected.

These are often color-coded, so look for a key that explains what the different colors represent. For example, this water outage map from 2021 in Austin, TX shows areas with no water, low water pressure, and no water AND no electricity.

Source: KXAN Local News, Austin 

Preparing for Scheduled Water Outages

We know that the U.S. water system will need extensive improvements in the coming few years.  This could lead to outages around the country as crews work to patch holes or replace plumbing.

Here's how to prepare. 

Steps to Take When Notified of an Interruption

If there is planned maintenance in your area, affected customers should be given a general idea of how long the outage will last.

The American Red Cross recommends having three days worth of food and water stored per person in your home at all times. 

The rule of thumb is one gallon of water per person, per day. 

Prepare alternative hygiene arrangements.  Keep a stock of baby wipes and hand sanitizer to minimize water usage.

If you can, identify an alternate location for showering and doing laundry, like a friend's house, gym, or laundromat. 

Building an Emergency Water Reserve

Emergency water reserves are easy to start and can be customized to your particular living arrangement. 

Key points to consider:

• Store at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day

• People with medical needs probably need more

• Don't forget to store water for pets

• Water should be kept in clean plastic food-grade containers 

• Water should be kept away from sunlight 

• Inspect your water supply for damage 

• Keep your supply above freezing temperature 

The main challenge to storing a water supply: water is heavy. This is why gallon-sized jugs are usually preferred, as they're easy to move around and stack on shelves.

If you don't have a basement or extensive shelving where you can store water, try under a bed, in a closet, or even adding some shelves or a cabinet to your bedroom. 

Source: Thomas Lohmann on Unsplash

Water Conservation Hacks During Outages

You can't use water thoughtlessly during an outage. Be strategic and prioritize the most important needs. 

• Don't use water-intensive cooking methods like boiling 

• Limit bathing - use hygiene wipes

• Dishes can wait - use disposable whenever possible 

• Don't flush each time for liquid waste

For flushing the toilet, check the stamp on your  toilet to see how many gallons of water is needed to completely flush. Make sure you have a bucket that holds that many gallons as watch.

WATCH NOW: How to Flush the Toilet When the Water is Off

Managing Unexpected Water Outages

If the water suddenly stops flowing to your home, here are some immediate steps to take to manage the situation:

Immediate Steps

First, assess the situation. Ask the following questions:

• Are you completely out of water, or is the pressure just low?

• Do your neighbors have water?

• Is there an obvious water main break outside? 

Next, find your backup water supply. If you don't have any stored, try to get some from a local store before supplies run low. 

Finally, make sure you household has the supplies needed to get through at least three days with no water. Ideally, you will have this prepared ahead of time, but make sure you look for any holes in your supplies and fill them as soon as possible. 

• Staying Informed During Emergencies

Know the name of the company that supplies your water. Check their website or social media channels for notifications about the problem and  restoration timelines. Try to avoid calling in, as you can slow progress by constantly asking the crews for updates.

Join local update groups online to stay aware of weather or accidents causing the issues. Listen to local news on the radio for updates. 

Addressing Low Water Pressure and Discolored Water

If you're seeing cloudy water coming out of your faucets, your water supply could be contaminated with dirt or sediment. Run cold water for several minutes to flush the system. If that doesn't result in clear water, you may need to contact the water company.

If the water pressure is low, there could be a break in the pipes somewhere in the system or an increased demand. It's best to limit your water usage until the problem is resolved - i.e., no showers and laundry, and don't leave the water running while you brush your teeth. 

Source: CDC on Unsplash

Health and Safety Concerns

Clean water is our most basic survival need. Here's how to navigate health and safety concerns that may arise thanks to disruptions in the water supply. 

READ NOW: TEOTWAWKI Scenario: How Long Can You Survive Without Food and Water? 

Navigating Boil Water Advisories

Normally, water purification centers keep the drinking water supply clean and ready to use. If contamination is suspected, boil advisories will be issues.

Heating water to a sustained boil kills harmful bacteria that can make you sick. 

Heat water to a full rolling boil, meaning bubbles are continuously rising the top. Keep it boiling for a full minute. Then you can remove the pot of water from the heat source and allow it to cool before drinking it or using it for cooking. 

Hygiene Practices Without Running Water
Basic hygiene is still important, even without running water. 

Keep a stock of hygiene wipes for cleaning the body and hands, and follow up with hand sanitizer to keep from spreading germs. Dry shampoo can be used to keep hair fresh. 

Use a small cup of safe water for brushing teeth. You can use collected rainwater for flushing toilets (see video above). 

Risks of Using Emergency or Stored Water
Remember the emergency water supply we talked about? Before you use it, make sure that your stored water supply is free of any discoloration or mold. If you see any strange colors or smells, do NOT use the water.

You should boil stored water for one full minute before drinking or cooking with it to ensure complete safety. 

What to Expect During and After a Water Outage

So your utility company has confirmed that there's an outage, and you have your emergency water stores ready to use - what next? 

Repair Timelines and Service Restoration

Unfortunately, there's no rule of  thumb for repair timelines. Physical damage to the water lines usually draws all available workers to the area to try to fix it. Depending on the severity of the break, it  can take days to restore service, while minor leaks are usually resolved in a few hours. 

Keep in mind that water disruption can often be part of a larger disaster. Emergency services could be diverted towards evacuation or securing critical facilities, and so it may take repair crews several days to work their way to residential buildings.
Insights into what factors affect repair times and how to prepare for service resumption.

Post-Outage Checklist
Once you have running water again, you need to ensure that it's safe for regular use.

Step 1: Flush your pipes. Run cold water through your taps, starting with the lower levels of your home and moving upwards. Keep running for a few minutes, or until the water is clear. 

Step 2: Check for leaks. Check your water heater, pipes, washing machine, and all faucets for damage. 

Step 3: Test for safety. You can use commercially available testing strips to check the pH level of your water and ensure that it's safe for drinking. 

Long-Term Preparedness for Water Outages

If you live in an area where water service may be interrupted frequently thanks to natural disasters like hurricanes or wildfires, you may want to consider long-term solutions for water outages.

Emergency Water Plans for Your Household

While water should be a part of your basic family safety plan, consider a more in-depth protocol. This could include: 

• Extensive water storage plan, with dated water storage that is replaced every 6 months for freshness

• Filtration options - especially useful if you have a well or other potable water on your property

• Emergency water plans 

• Alternative water sources 

• Investing in Long-Term Water Solutions
  
  

While one-gallon jugs of water are convenient, there are long-term solutions designed to provide a household with extensive water supplies.

Some of these are creative, modular designs for storing a large amount of water in a small space, like these stackable 30-gallon storage jugs from The Ready Store:

Source: The Ready Store 

On-property water filtration systems are another popular solution for the preparedness-minded. These solutions range from a single whole-home filter to a complex gray water filtration system that can recycle water onsite. 

Source: Mother Earth News 

Stay Ahead with Local Maintenance Schedules

Finally, check with your County Engineer's office and your local utility company to get the inside scoop on when maintenance is scheduled so you can prepare. Best case scenario - plan your vacation for a time when the hot water supply is off anyway! 

If you really want to be prepared for all kinds of water limitations, check out our Ultimate Guide to Water Purification here.

Conclusion: Don't be Caught Unprepared for Water Outages 

A water outage of even a few days can be disastrous without preparation. Without a backup supply of water and a plan for managing basic needs, you'll likely need to evacuate until the issue is resolved.

With a little advanced preparation, however, you can weather the shortage easily - even comfortably. While you might have some extra laundry to catch up on later, ensuring that you have adequate water for health and nutrition and basic hygiene will keep you and your family safe and secure.