HOW TO STORE WATER SAFELY

HOW TO STORE WATER SAFELY

• WASH PROGRAM
• Oct 08, 2026

Safe water storage helps families:

• Prevent waterborne diseases
• Protect children and vulnerable household members
• Reduce healthcare costs
• Improve nutrition and overall well-being
• Support healthier, more resilient communities

At Grassroot Initiative, we encourage communities to make safe water handling a daily habit—not just an emergency response.

1. Choose the Right Water Storage Container

Selecting the right container is the first step in keeping drinking water safe.

✔ Use containers with:

A narrow opening

• A tight-fitting lid
• Food-grade materials
• A tap or spout for dispensing water
• Opaque or dark-colored surfaces where possible
• Avoid storing drinking water in open buckets or containers that previously held chemicals, fuel, pesticides, or paint.

Grassroot Tip: A container with a tap greatly reduces contamination because hands and cups never enter the water.

2. Clean Storage Containers Regularly

A clean container is just as important as clean water.

• Wash containers with soap and clean water at least once every week.
• Clean every time before refilling if dirt or slime is visible.
• Scrub the inside walls and lid thoroughly.
• Rinse well with safe water.
• Allow containers to air dry in a clean place whenever possible.

A clean storage container protects your family's health.

3. Wash Your Hands Before Handling Water

Hands are one of the most common ways germs enter drinking water.

Always wash your hands with soap before:

Collecting water Pouring drinking water Cleaning storage containers Preparing food

• Collecting water
• Pouring drinking water
• Cleaning storage containers
• Preparing food

This is especially important after using the toilet, changing diapers, handling animals, or cleaning around the home.

Remember: Clean hands help keep clean water safe.

4. Never Dip Cups or Hands into Stored Water

Every time a cup or hand enters the container, germs can be introduced.

Instead:

• Pour water through a tap or spout.
• If necessary, use one clean, dedicated dipper.
• Store the dipper in a clean place.
• Pour drinking water into a clean cup before drinking.

Small habits prevent big health problems.

5. Store Water in a Safe Location

Where you store water matters.

• Keep containers:
• Off the ground
• In a cool, shaded place
• Away from chemicals and pesticides
• Away from animal shelters and latrines
• Out of reach of young children and animals

Proper storage helps maintain water quality for longer.

6. Treat Water Before Storage

If you are unsure whether the water is safe, treat it first.

Common household treatment methods include:

• Boiling
• Chlorine tablets or liquid chlorine
• Household water filters
• Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS)

Treatment and safe storage should always go together.

7. Don't Store Water for Too Long

Fresh water is safer water.

Grassroot Initiative recommends:

• Using stored drinking water within a few days.
• Replacing water regularly.
• Discarding or retreating water that appears cloudy, smells unusual, or tastes different.
• Regular replacement helps maintain water quality.

8. Separate Drinking Water from Other Household Water

Use different containers for different purposes.

Label containers clearly for:

• Drinking water
• Cooking water
• Washing water
• Cleaning water

This simple practice helps prevent accidental contamination.

Grassroot Initiative Safe Water Storage Checklist

Before storing drinking water, ask yourself:

✅ Is the container clean?

✅ Does it have a tight-fitting lid?

✅ Has the water been treated if necessary?

✅ Are hands clean before handling it?

✅ Is the container stored off the ground?

✅ Is it kept away from animals and chemicals?

✅ Is the water used within a few days?

If you answered "Yes" to all of these, you're helping protect your family's health.

Working Together for Healthier Communities

At Grassroot Initiative, we believe that every household has the power to prevent disease through simple, practical actions. Safe water storage is more than a hygiene practice—it is an investment in healthier children, stronger families, and more resilient communities.

By adopting safe water handling habits and sharing these practices with neighbors, schools, and community groups, we can reduce preventable illnesses and build a healthier future for everyone.

Together, we can make safe water everyone's responsibility.