Water

You should have containers at home for collecting and storing water

Water outages can be caused by a number of reasons, such as a power failure or contamination of the water supply. Although a backup water distribution is usually organised in water supply disruptions that last longer than 24 hours, it makes matters easier if everyone had at least a few litres of bottled water at home just in case.

The average person needs approximately two litres of clean drinking water a day. Water is also needed for cooking and personal hygiene. One or two buckets of water per person per day is usually enough.

If there’s no water

  • Prepare for the situation with lidded containers or canisters that can be used to collect water from distribution points or elsewhere.
  • Does someone need assistance carrying water?
  • The toilet can only be flushed once. A garbage bag can be placed inside the toilet. The used bag is sorted as mixed waste.

A man puts a plastic bag on the toilet seat.
If the water is contaminated

  • Prevent the use of contaminated water, for example by taping a warning note over the tap.
  • Follow the water utility provider’s instructions on the use of water and boil-water advisory.
  • Do not use water during shock chlorination of water pipes.
  • When clean water is again available, be sure to clean all appliances and containers that may contain contaminated water, such as a coffee machine.

About water distribution

  • Water supply outages may be planned and affect only an individual home. For more information, contact your property maintenance provider.
  • In all local water supply disruptions, check the website of the local water utility provider. The website contains information about ongoing water supply disruptions.
  • Water supply disruptions and major power outages also have an effect on wastewater management. Follow announcements by the water utility provider and the authorities.

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