Water Safety Publications

These publications are available as PDF files. These files have the benefit of printing out to look almost exactly like the original publication. To use files in PDF format, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader., which is free to download from the Adobe web site by clicking on the "Get Acrobat!" icon.

Safeguarding Drinking Water Supplies
R. Craig Runyan
Extension water quality specialist, New Mexico State University

Whether they are connected to a public water supply or a private domestic well, everyone wants to be assured their drinking water sources are safe from environmental pollution and other risks. Knowing what can be done to protect household drinking water begins with knowing its source.Ê About 90 percent of all Americans get their water from groundwater aquifers. That water is pumped from wells and distributed either through a public supply system or directly to the home from a private well.

Treating and Storing Water for Emergency Use
Craig Runyan
Extension Water Specialist, New Mexico State University

There are several methods for storing emergency quantities of potable water for uses such as drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. Any of the following methods can be used to store water for emergency preparedness. To keep water fresh and fit for human use, it is a good practice to rotate water supplies every 2 to 4 months. Prolonged or regular use of stored water treated by the following methods is not recommended.