Water emergencies strike without warning — main breaks, contamination events, or extended power outages can disrupt service instantly. A few simple preparations today can make all the difference when disaster strikes.

Build Your Emergency Supply
Store one gallon of water per person per day, maintaining at least a three-day supply. For a family of four, that’s 12 gallons minimum. Use clean, food-grade containers or sealed bottled water. Mark containers with the storage date and replace every six months. Don’t forget water for pets.

Locate and Test Your Shutoff
Find your main water shutoff valve now, before you need it. It’s usually located near the water meter or where the service line enters your home. Test it twice a year to ensure it works smoothly. If a pipe bursts or your water heater fails, you’ll need to shut it off quickly to prevent flooding. Make sure everyone in your household knows where it is and how to operate it.

Know Your Hidden Water Sources
Your water heater holds 40-80 gallons of clean water. To access it: turn off power or gas to the heater, close the valve connecting it to your water pipes, and open the drain valve at the bottom. Let air in by opening a hot water faucet somewhere in the house.

When Service Resumes
Run cold taps for several minutes to flush the lines. Check for leaks throughout your home before restoring power to your water heater.

For emergency updates and service information, be sure to visit our website here at www.skagitpud.org.