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* LOCKED OFF WATER METER
If no water is coming to your house and you can see that the meter is
locked inside your meter box, you must contact Great Oaks Water
Co. Do not remove lock! If the lock is broken, a $25.00 charge will be collected before
service is restored.
* MAIN WATER VALVE
Prior to an emergency, determine where
your main water valve is. This valve turns off all water to your
house and is usually located near your front hose connection. If an emergency
results in a water leak in your house - for instance, if your faucet is
broken - turn off the water immediately.
* WATER HEATER
Your water heater should be firmly secured by metal straps attached to
wall studs. In the event of an earthquake, the water heater is a
very vulnerable appliance and can cause much water damage if it falls away
from the wall.
* RADIO
If there is an accompanying power outage, a battery operated radio is
vital to keep in touch with all emergency information. It is
recommended not to keep batteries in the radio but rather alongside
it and they should be checked periodically.
* WATER STORAGE
For each person in your household fill a 2
gallon plastic container with water. Store these containers in a cool,
dark place - such
as your garage - for use in an emergency. This water supply
should be replaced every six months to ensure freshness. (Hint: Place a
piece of masking tape on the containers and write the 'Use By' date on
them)
Alternatively, water can be
frozen indefinitely and then thawed and used in an emergency. An added
benefit - if you lose power these bottles can serve as a refrigerant for
your foods, then, as the water thaws, you will have drinking water.
* DISINFECTION OF WATER
If it becomes necessary for you to disinfect your tap water, you will
be notified by radio and television broadcasts (see 'Radio' above).
To disinfect your water:
a. Strain the water through a clean handkerchief or fine cloth to remove
any sediment or debris.
b. Add 8 drops of chlorine bleach to each gallon of water and shake then
let stand for 30 minutes. If the water appears cloudy repeat this
step again. When finished, the water should have a slight chlorine smell
to it.
c. Alternatively, water may be purified by bringing it to a rapid boil.
It is not recommended
to use swimming pool or spa water due to the chemical content and other
contaminants that may have been introduced into it.
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