Drinking water is critical to your survival. Unfortunately, there are many myths about water, how to treat it and how to store it and not understanding what they are can have dire consequences.

Are swimming pools a safe source of drinking water?

Some people think that a backyard swimming pool could be a good source of drinking water in a prolonged disaster situation.

However, there are several reasons that this simply isn't a practical solution.

First, the chemicals used to treat pools are not safe to drink. Even boiling won't remove these chemicals.

Another issue with pools is the fact that chlorine evaporates quickly. Within a week or two, the levels will drop to nearly zero ppm.

However, swimming pool water can be used for bathing, laundry, flushing toilets and watering gardens, so there is a practical use for your pool after all.

How long should water be boiled to make it safe to drink?

Another common myth is that boiling water for one minute will make it safe to drink. This is not entirely true. Boiling will kill bacteria and most pathogens, but it won't get rid of heavy metals and other chemical contaminants with a high boiling point.

Secondly, water boils at different temperatures at different altitudes.

If my pet drinks from a water source, is it also safe for humans?

There is another persistent myth that if a pet, such as a dog, drinks from a particular water source, then that source is okay for humans. Animal immune systems are quite different than those of humans, and it should never be assumed that just because your pet didn't get sick, you won't either.

Can I drink my own urine in an emergency situation?

The last common water survival myth discussed in the article concerns drinking urine. Many people believe that drinking one's own urine in an emergency situation is safe. This is simply not the case. Drinking urine, like drinking seawater, will only dehydrate the body even more.

A clean source of drinking water is critical in a survival situation.

Depending on where you are, securing that source of water can be an issue and even after you have, there are other considerations, such as how to purify it or even if it safe to drink.

These “myth-busters” of common beliefs about drinking water should help you not only in a survival situation, but in your preparation for one.

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