Water security is becoming more and more important. As Bob Dylan crooned, “and the times, they are a changin’.” We are living in some of the most unstable time in generations. Weather, economies, and geopolitics all present risks and challenge all of us to be better prepared for major events.
Weather Extremes Becoming the New Normal
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While tornadoes can occur at any time of the year, the U.S., tornado season is normally May through August. During this time, conditions are ripe for clashing weather fronts that spawn rapid and large tornadoes that can rip through communities at any time of the day or night.
The 2021/22 winter appeared to have more rapid weather extremes that spawned tornadoes across the U.S., not just the “tornado alley” where tornadoes frequent during the normal season. December, January, February had severe tornadoes strike as far south as Tennessee, Alabama and even Florida.
Major weather events damage power and water infrastructure every year. For many, loss of power equals the loss of water. More than 20% of the U.S. population receives its water from private or community water wells. And this number is growing every year. In many parts of the country, including right outside major metropolitan areas, the number of annual new water well connections exceeds the number of new public water system connections. Power outages will have an increased impact on water as this trend continues.
Hurricane Season Not Far Off
The U.S. hurricane season officially starts on June 1 and goes through November. During this time, the Gulf and East coasts are continually at risk of storms that start off the west coast of Africa and make their way across the Atlantic. The past couple of years have been relatively light for hurricanes except along the Texas/Louisiana coasts. They have been hit pretty hard.
It’s important to note that hurricanes don’t just impact coastal communities. Hurricanes also generate tremendous inland flooding. While wind speeds commonly recede, the rains carried far inland have a significant impact on water and power infrastructure.
U.S. Trends Also Support Personal Water Security
America’s Power Grid Increasingly Unreliable
Warmer Spring and Widespread Drought Conditions Forecasted
Current Drought Conditions in the U.S.
California’s PG&E Plan to Reduce Wildfires
Beyond new water well connections, other trends point to an increased need for home water security.
More than 40% of the U.S. population resides in coastal county communities and this number is growing. Particularly in the Gulf and East Coast communities, more of our population is at risk of hurricanes every year.
We are an aging country, AND concentrations of the elderly follow the trends of moving to warmer climates in coastal communities.
We are aging in place. More of us choose to stay in our homes for as long as we possibly can. There are many great reasons to do this, but it also requires additional planning for weather-related events. Water consumption if even more important for our elderly, but clean water for basic sanitation and hygiene is also more critical as we age.
Homes connecting to private water supplies (private and community water wells) is outpacing connections to pubic water systems. Homeowners concerned with water security need to prepare on their own rather than rely on public water services for their water.
Droughts Already Impact Much of the U.S. West
The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC.
According to the Department of the Interior, 47% of the U.S. is in a moderate drought condition. Almost 93% of the U.S. west is in a drought or abnormally dry state and some 81% experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions. Water is the single most important commodity for humans. More important that electricity, more important than heating or air conditioning, even more important than food in a “short term” crisis.
Prepare for Water and Power during an Emergency
For many, preparing for a crisis is more for convenience than necessity. The problem is that we never know how long the crisis will last. You should prepare for a long power/water outage and hope for short ones.
Water Security and the Smart Use of a Generator
When you lose power and/or water, you don’t know how long either will be out. The first thing that should come to mind is not how much I can power with my generator, but how little. The goal is to make the generator fuel last as long as possible.
Many of our customers have generators. We were initially surprised when they also purchased Constant Water systems. But we quickly understood how powerful a Constant Water system is with a portable generator.
For those on public water, a generator will not provide water during an outage. A generator can provide power for critical electrical needs, but they still need an emergency water storage and distribution system. For the elderly and those with physical challenges, carrying water in buckets to flush the toilet or for basic hygiene simply isn’t an option or can create significant risks. Water security is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.
For those on community water wells, they are not much better off than those on public water. If their community well is on a generator, they will have water for as long as the generator is operating. But if the generator fails or runs out of fuel, they too will be without water.
For those on private water wells, a generator can power their water well when the generator is running. But generators can consume a surprising amount of fuel per day, and the cost of fuel is increasing significantly. If your considering a generator, large or small, Power and Pump is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that can take great care of you and your family.
Generator Fuel Consumption
We don’t give much thought about generator fuel consumption. Even a minimum list of appliances and functions, that don’t include heating, air conditioning, or well pumps, can consume 15 gallons of propane a day.
How much fuel is in your tank right now? How many days would it last at even the basic list of appliances in your home? Know these answers before you start using your generator. Remember, when the power is out, you should make your generator last as long as you can.
Constant Water for Your Water Security Needs
Constant Water specializes in battery-powered, whole-house emergency water storage and distribution. Our systems can provide potable water throughout your home during water out events. With systems up to 120-gallons, that are expandable to meet your emergency water needs or desires, Constant Water can be your water security during these challenging times. Constant Water systems provide battery powered backup potable water storage and distribution throughout you home during water out events—potable water not only for consumption, but for important sanitation and hygiene as well.
Often, both water and power availability will be sporadic during storm recovery. Constant Water systems will automatically refill and recharge during these periods. Additionally, if you have even a smaller portable generator, you can to run generator long enough to drive your well pump and recharge your Constant Water battery. This can provide you with water security in your home for an extended period.
Water should be your first focus during these difficult times. For you, your family, and your loved ones, Constant Water systems provide critical water security during unstable times.
