water being poured into cup

When the Power Fails

Blackouts are an unpredictable and unfortunate event in modern existence. Whether it lasts for three minutes or three days, a power outage is a great inconvenience at the very least, if not a major ordeal. Many failures are completely preventable though. That's why Critter Guard is committed to stopping these events before they even occur by preventing the surprisingly-more-frequent failures due to squirrels, rodents, and other critters from damaging electric lines and utility poles.

You may know the basics of emergency preparedness, but did you know your water supply may be affected during blackouts too?

Power Flow for Public Health

In times when the power fails, maintaining power at water treatment plants is a top priority. These facilities perform crucial tests and treat the water that ultimately makes it safe for us to drink, bathe in, and use for sanitation purposes. Although the majority of these water plants have backup generators, the agencies always work closely with the local power company to ensure that their plants will be serviced first to preserve public safety.

Water is essential for all life. While the human body can survive for about three weeks without food, we can only live for three to four days without water. It's important to be sure your water is safe to drink. It's all too easy to contract water borne illnesses and other unpleasantries from drinking "bad" or "dirty" water, including cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, giardiasis, and others. Symptoms are unfortunate, painful, and can, at worst, be deadly. One might experience gastrointestinal disturbances, fever, fatigue, headache, and more. You don't want these, so water safety, especially in blackouts, is critical!

What Water is Safe to Drink During and After a Power Outage?

During a power failure, you may suspect your local water supply has been contaminated. Bottled water should generally remain safe during and after a blackout, as long as it hasn't been exposed to flood waters. Then, when the power does return, you can boil tap water for 60 seconds, and let it cool before deeming it safe. Alternatively, disinfect the water using chlorine tablets or a very small dose of unscented household bleach, stir, and let it stand for 30 minutes.

Maximizing Water Safety During a Blackout

During an outage, it's wise to conserve your backup power in the form of cell phones, flashlights and batteries, and to maintain your food's temperature by keeping the refrigerator door closed. As such, it's also advisable to conserve water during a power failure. It's a great idea to have plenty of bottled water as a reserve (one gallon per person per day). When you need it, use only as much as you absolutely require, as you don't know how long it will be until power returns. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to wash your hands.

The Wisdom of Prevention 

The best defense for your water supply is to avoid a blackout in the first place. Many power failures are easily averted. Obviously, storms and collisions can down the wires, but critters, especially squirrels, are also a major factor. This is where Critter Guard's Line Guard and Pole Guard systems can help. We offer a humane solution to this common problem, addressing the needs of homeowners, business owners, and power companies, and preventing critters from accessing and damaging essential power equipment. Our systems could save you from frustrations, and from potential problems in public water and health. For more details about our systems, contact us today!