Water storage will be the topic of discussion for the next few Thursdays!
Water is more important than food. After 3 days without water, the kidneys stop functioning and the damage is irreversible, even with present day technology. At least 1.5 gallons per person, per day for drinking, food preparation and hygiene should be stored with your emergency supplies. For example, 84 gallons of water should be stored for a family of four for two weeks.
Today I'll go over some methods for water storage. Next week, we'll talk about purification.
There are several ways to store water:
1. Gallon jugs. They can dissolve over time. Water can also pick up the odor of the initial contents, or bacteria could grow if the jugs are on completely cleaned before filled. While this is an option for water storage, be cautious if you decide to go this route. Do not use milk cartons.
2. Soda Bottles. Also known as pop bottles :). You will need lots of these, but they store well. Only use shatterproof (plastic) bottles. Don't use glass containers.
3. Mylar Bags (5 gal). These are great for storage, but weigh approximately 40 pounds when filled with water.
4. Barrels. These come in 5, 13, 30, and 55 gallon containers. They are great for long term storage. When filled, they are not easily moved. However, if they are clean when filled, the water will remain pure. If you store them outside (or any bottles for that matter), leave head room for freezing.
5. Metal containers. NEVER use these for water storage.
6. Swimming pools. This also includes hot tubs. Always view your pool as "backup" water only. Keep dry chlorine on hand. You should also have chlorine testers available if you intend on using pool water.
5 comments:
Why should I not use glass containers? I have found that over time water in the plastic containers tastes like plastic. I also have put water in my unused mason jars (and put them in the mason boxes) because the jars were sitting empty.
Storing water in glass bottles is fine for the quality of the water; however, since glass is so breakable, it's just not a good idea to store all your water in glass. If there was an earthquake or something like that, and your water is in glass, it's likely that all your water storage would just be wiped out in one moment. Plastic storage is just more reliable for storing all that heavy water. Yes, over time the taste of the water will deteriorate; this is why people also need to rotate their water as well. If you want to store some of your water storage in glass I guess that would be ok; just don't rely on glass containers for all or even a majority of it.
We bought some 7 gallon water containers at Walmart. They come with a spigot and they are square and are made to be stackable. They were a good price (under $10 each) when we bought them and they work nicely.
About four years ago my son bought a web site that sold Berkey gravitywater filters, not knowing anything at the time about either water filters or websites, we both got, and are still getting, an education in both areas. I have done a lot of research covering both local and global water issues and am placing it bit by bit on that web site - www.drinking-water-filter-system.com .
I used one called the Big Berkey as well as a portable water filter bottle with the same only smaller version of the filter in Mexico for four years and was very happy with their performance. Water was only intermittantly available where I lived but I was on a large and largely contaminated lake. I used water from the lake with no ill consequences and was assurd by the manufacturer that laboratory and extensive field testing showed the only contaminants not adequately removed were arsenic and flouride. I used a seperate filter to remove those chemicals. The point being that it may be an alternative worth considering. It is in use by members of the Red Cross, the British Army, Unicef, the Peace Corp and by missions organizations around the world.
Having other options such as distillation, chemical treatment or solar treatment is great but for sheer convenience this was hard to beat. I still use it everyday here in the states as a precaution.
I'd love to know if you have used one or know of anyone who has and what your or their opinion is.
You are right on the money with the admonition to make water a very high priority. Congratulations on your presenting such valuable information.
Hee hee. I guess I need to get a hot tub!
Not for personal reasons, for emergency prepardness reasons.
Of course. ;)
Post a Comment