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Step 1
Shut off the valve that leads to the hot water heater immediately after the emergency to prevent the water becoming contaminated.
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Step 2
Cut off the water heater's electrical supply for your own safety and to prevent the water heater from running without water.
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Step 3
Allow the water inside the heater to cool before you attempt to drain any water from it.
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Step 4
Disconnect the hot water line at the top of the tank. If you can't get the line off, turn on a hot water faucet in the house to ventilate the water heater's tank.
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Step 5
Open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and collect the water in a clean storage container. Check the first few gallons for rust and sediment. If the water contains rust and sediment, throw it out until clean water starts to drain.
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Step 6
Treat the water by adding six drops of liquid household bleach for every gallon of water. The bleach should contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Stir in the bleach and let the water stand for 30 minutes. If, after 30 minutes, the water doesn't smell like chlorine, add another 6 drops of bleach and let it stand for 15 minutes. The water can now be stored.
