Water Barrels

The Crucial Element-Water Storage

Water is essential to life. What will you do if the tap goes dry? If is recommended that you store 1 gallon of water per person a day, but we live in a very hot climate. I personally would increase that amount to 3-5 per day when you take in to account that you may need more than one gallon just to drink. Think about it. If it is 116* outside, the electricity is not working-How hot will it be in the shade or in your house. You will need more water. What about cooking and cleaning? Cleaning? You will need to maintain basic cleanliess of your food preparation to ensure that you will not be making your family sick. (Yes, I would advise that you store paper plates, cups, silverware and napkins to reduce cleaning water, but you will still need to clean cooking pots). What about water to wash your body, occasionally. You will not be able to recreate your current life style or living condition, but you will need to have the minimum amount of water to survive.
What to store your water in?
Water weighs 8 pounds per gallon. Water for long term storage should be stored in heavy plastic containers, with tight fitting caps. Not thin plastic, like milk bottles. 55 gallon barrels are a good choice, although they are bulky and harder to change out the water. A great option are the Surewater tanks. Follow the link here. They offer two sizes-The 275 Gallon Tank is oval shaped and designed to fit through all standard 29" doorways. With this tank you’ll store as much water as five- 55 gallon drums utilizing only 7 square feet of floor space. Tank Dimensions: 28" W X 34" D X 85" H Spigots Included. $395 Or they offer a 525 Gallon Tank. You’re paying less then $1 per gallon and will store 525 gallons utilizing only 14 square feet of floor space. Tank Dimensions: 45" D x 80" H Spigots Included. $520. My friend is putting together a group order. Save the $45 shipping cost. If we can get 20 orders we will save even more off the tank price. She will place the order the middle of August. Send her an e-mail-mailto:e-mail-sarafisk@gmail.com
CONTAINERSI would suggest having more than one type of water storage containers. The large 55 or larger barrels are great, unless you need to evacuate your home. A 55 gallon barrel filled with water will weigh about 440 lbs. You will need to have 3-5 gallon water containers to be able to carry them in an evacuation. I would also suggest water bottles too.

How to prepare your water barrels for long term water storage:
1- Make sure to wash out the barrel before filling them. Even new barrels can have debris left over from the manufacturing process.

2- Place the barrel where you will be storing it before filling it. You will not be able to move it after it is filled (440 lbs.) I have heard that you shuld not store your water barrels directly on the cement. Use you judgement. (Off the Suretank web-site)Q: Can I place my tank directly on cement; don’t "toxins" leech through? A: To the best of our knowledge the idea of "toxins" leeching from concrete into plastic containers is a myth. There are people who are convinced that this toxic leeching occurs but as of yet no one has provided any scientific backing for this concept. We've spoken with both the plastics and cement industries and no one we’ve spoken with has ever heard of this concern. We are open to having our minds changed in regards to this matter but we’d like to first see the scientific evidence.

3- It is imperative that you use a white drinking hose to fill your water barrel. (I picked up a 50 ft hose in the RV section at WalMart for less than $20).The green or black garden hoses have high levels of lead in them. Turn on the water and let the hose water run onto the yard for 5 minutes before filling your water barrel to make sure the line is clean.
Use a bung wrench to tighten the cap. Unsealed barrels can become contaminated. Make sure the lid is on tight!
- Plastic bottles like 2-ltr soda bottles are an okay way to store water. Just make sure that you clean them well before filling eith water. You will still need to rotate the water, atleast every 6 months. Plastic one gallon water bottles will eventually break down and leak. It is okay to use them, but check them often for signs of leaks. Plastic bottles can leach odors from items stored around them. Do not store gas or things that contain gas (like the lawn mower). Water
manufactures recomend rotating water bottles once a year. 1 case of water = 3 gallons of water.
- Visibly check the water in your taks or water bottles at least every 6 months for taste, smells or clowdiness. Discard and rotate any undesireable water.
- If you maintain a bacteria free environment when you fill your water containers and store them out of direct sunlight, your water should remain safe for drinking. Most bacteria or organisms will die during long term storage.
TREATMENTStandard Beach or Clorox* is not the best thing to use to purify your water. Bleach can cause diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, or ulcers. Do not use bleach unless that is all you have! Bleach contains chlorine, chlorine is what you need to treat your water. Clorine will leach out of the water if you use bleach, when the water is stored for long periods, and render your water unuseful. Cholrine can be purchased at a pool supply store for about $10.00. Look for 97% SODIUM DICHLORO-S-TRIAZINETRIONE or it can make you sick! City water is treated with Chlorine.
Use 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon, to sanitize a 55 gallon barrel (more is not better). The chlorine will last indefinitely. If you want to test your water purchase a Pool Chlorine measuring kit to test your water. This test takes about 24 hours to work, then you will need to Repeat the process if there is no measurable free floating chlorine.
*A lady from the Clorox Company sent me this information, indicating that Clorox is safe. You can decide for yourself. http://www.sierraclub.org/greenworks/#chlorine.
Using your water-http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/faq/emerg.html· The American Red Cross' Water Treatment Recommendations: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d229a5f06620c6052b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=b60461150e8ae110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
http://www.factsaboutbleach.com/
Remove the lid and check your water for cholrine amount. If there s no measurable amount of chlorine your water, it could contain bacteria. Also, if you remove the cap and wait for 24 hours the chlorine will evaporate and you will not have the chlorine taste in your water. Additionally, you need to let the water sit, exposed to air, for 24 hours before you drink it anyway. Agitating your water back and forth will add oxygen back into your water.

Boiling water-
Boiling your water before drinking a minium of 10-20 minutes will ensure that giardia bacteria is killes. Water that is boiled will taste flat. Consider storing powdered mixes like gadorade to add flavor to encourage hydration, espcially in children. Also, you will need extra fuel to boil water.

Iodine -
Iodine tintures are another cheap and effective way to purify water. However, Iodine is not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers. , Iodine has a peculiar odor and taste some people can not tolerate. Never use for more than 72 hours at any one time.

Aerobic Stabilized Oxygen-

Aerobic Stabilized Oxygen kills bad bacteria and feeds good bacteria. Aerobic Stabilized Oxygen is a tasteless, odorless liquid concentrate, of non-toxic stabilized molecular oxygen electrolytes. Pour 1.15oz. into a 55 gallon Barrel. It will store up to 5 years. Laboratory reports show 10 drops of Aerobic Stabilized Oxygen in 8 fluid ounces of mountain water, killed the organism Giardia in just two and a half minutes. Do a google search to purchase Aerobic Stabilized Oxygen.
Do not contaminate your water use a hand pump or spigot on your barrel. If you are unable to rotate your water make sure that you have a good water purifier like a Berkly filter. Learn more here.
You can find plans to build a 55 gallon water barrel holder here.