April Showers...More on Water
Water Q&A: I often get asked questions about home storage and preparedness, here are a few about water and water storage that I've been asked over the years.
Why should we store drinking water besides obedience to wise counsel? It simply makes sense because we cannot live long without water. If the water source becomes contaminated or is completely disrupted, you will need water to sustain you until the water is safe to drink again. It is so much better to prepare 5 years in advance to any emergency, than 5 minutes too late. Failure to prepare is choosing to be dependent on others during crisis and choosing to possibly not have your needs met and thereby getting sick or dying.
Why do people neglect to store water? Some possible reasons people may not be storing water are: Space! Water takes up a lot of space. Cost. Quality containers cost money, as do filters and such. Uninformed: missed warnings and counsel that come from multiple sources. Uninformed: don’t know how to best store water. Lack of desire to prepare oneself for emergencies. Want to rely on others--”My____has food & water storage, I’ll just go to their house in an emergency.” (and thereby lessen their resources).
What is the best way to store water? Actual drinking water stored in leak proof food grade containers that limit light and stored in a cool dark place is the best way to store water. Container size is an individual choice, but generally speaking the larger containers can store more water in less space than smaller containers. Small containers are nice to have if need to move it around. Beyond drinking water, storing filtering systems and their parts, chemical treatments and/or other materials needed to purify water are another good way to prepare for water shortage/contamination emergencies.
How much water should I store? 1 gallon of water per person per day. Increase this amount if living in an area of high heat or if have health concerns that require you to have more water (like pregnant or nursing, diabetes,etc.). Store at least 3 days to 2 weeks worth of water at home. In an emergency where water is limited or contaminated you probably won’t be sorry for the space you used to store water.
Can I use milk jugs to store water? Yes, but be aware the plastic breaks down quickly so it is only a short term option--as little as 3-8 months before the jug should be replaced. Also, be sure to completely clean them and use a bleach/water solution to sanitize them before filling with water. There are much better options, including pop bottles, water barrels, and water bottles.
Can I use bleach bottles or laundry detergent bottles to store water? No, at least not for drinking water. They could possibly be used to store water that will be used for washing clothes or cleaning, but should NEVER be used to store water to be used for drinking.
Can I store my water barrels outside? Yes. But beware it is subject to the elements--high or low temperatures, light and such. Outdoor storage is not ideal, but it can be done, just be sure to purify it periodically or before using it since bacteria thrives in light and heat. Also be sure to store the water off of cement.
Can I store water containers on cement? Containers should be off cement, either by simply placing on pieces of wood or by putting on a shelf.
Can I just store water filters or purifying tablets rather than storing drinking water? These are good to have on hand and know how to use, but remember you have to have a source of water to use these, so if you have no drinking water and no water source nearby, then having only these may not be affective without travel or other method of obtaining water. I personally suggest having at least a 3 day to 2 week store of drinking water (at least 3 days, but as much beyond that that you have room for) and then having the knowledge/skills and materials needed to purify water should you need it beyond what you have stored.
Do I need to transfer bottled water into a different container? No. If you buy bottled water, store it in its original container, then just be sure to check it periodically for leaks, discoloration or odors.
How often do I need to rotate through my water storage? It depends on the container and where it is stored. If using milk jugs, you will need to rotate within a few months to as long as a year. If using pop bottles or other plastic bottles (like that of bottled water), you will want to rotate every 1-2 years. If using large barrels or other food grade containers made for water storage, and they are stored in cool, dark places; it is wise to rotate every 3-5 years. Though technically if the container is sanitized, doesn't leach/leak, etc and the water was purified, the water can store for much longer.
All water storage should be checked periodically for leaks, discoloration, & odors. If there are leaks, bacteria can get in. If there is discoloration or odor it is likely a contaminant of some sort got in or the container itself is leaching something into the water.
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