Emergency Preparedness (EP) is my new category, and I'll be adding something new at least once a week. I thought I'd start with water after Lori posted her own water storage on her blog.
WATER STORAGE: THE ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT
Water storage is probably the most important aspect of EP. It will make or break a good EP plan. One should provide a minimum of 2 quarts of clean drinking water per day for each person. For hygiene, an additional 2 quarts of water per person per day is recommended. In hot climates, more water is needed. Keep at LEAST a 3-day supply of water per person.
Don't use plastic bottles that have had milk or non-food products in them. Water should be stored in dark, cool areas and/or in opaque containers. The simplest way to store water is in 55-gallon plastic water drums. A simple and inexpensive hand pump that is inserted into the barrel will make water extraction easy. However, these barrels are heavy once filled with water. The following are some additional suggestions for storing in smaller containers:
~2-liter pop bottles, well cleaned.
~Sports drink or water bottles.
~5 to 25-gal. water containers (Industrial Container 1845 S. 5200 W. Phone [801] 972-1561).
~Canning jars filled and put through a hot water bath.
Q: How long can water be stored before it has to be rotated?
A: Stored water may eventually develop a disagreeable appearance, taste, or odor. Renew your water supply at least every six months (discard the old water by using it to water grass, plants, etc.). Under emergency conditions, water that tastes "flat" can be aerated by pouring the water from one container to another three or four times. Water will lose its oxygen, and this reintroduces the oxygen to the water.
Q: How can the shelf life of water be increased?
A: To store water in translucent bottles, group the containers together in dark plastic bags to keep out the light. Water can be treated with iodine (sold in drops or tablets), chlorine bleach, water tablets, and boiling. Long-term storage with chemicals can create health problems, so chemically treated water should be rotated often.
Additional web sites for more water storage containers, filters, and treatment chemicals:
~beprepared.com
~disasternecessities.com
~gemplers.com
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3 comments:
One other thing about water storage that I was told is the following: Never store your containers (like the 55 gallon drum) directly on cement. Either lay something under it or elevate it on some slats of wood first.
Very true--thanks Lori! In fact, that also holds true for the five-gallon buckets of grain (or anything edible for that matter). Cement is very porous, and if it ever becomes wet for any reason (ground water, condensation), it will affect your food/water.
Shelf Reliance has some great water storage solutions.
Visit this link:
http://www.shelfreliance.com/search?q=water
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