Water Barrels
If you have the space and want at least one month of water storage on hand, you can’t go wrong with water barrels . For those of you who are local, I plan on purchasing more water containers and barrels from Green Concepts Container. GCC has reasonable priced new and slightly used products. The barrels are made from sturdy food-grade plastic and have a bung at the top that seal super tight in order to protect the water from contamination. The plastic is BPA-free and UV-resistant. Two barrels will give a family of four about 27 days worth of water.
But, there are a few downsides to having barrels. One is space. If you live in an apartment, you probably don’t have room for a 55-gallon water barrel. But, as you will find in the link above,and the GCC Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Green-Concepts-Containers-163062107392661/. They have many containers to choose from. The second is price. Depending on where you go, each barrel could set you back about $100. But, I recommend searching Craigslist for a better price. I bought 2 barrels for $40 from another seller who is no longer in the business. But, Green Concepts Container has solved my problem. Also, you will need to buy a pump. Experts say, we should avoid using a regular garden hose when filling up water barrels, instead use a specialty drinking water hose to fill it up especially if you are using tap water. Finally, the barrels are not very portable. A full barrel weighs about 440 lbs. So, you will definitely want a more portable option available in case you need to relocate. I found a water dolly that would be useful. But depending on the terrain and barrel location, it still could be difficult to move.
If you put tap water in your barrel, many prepper sites recommend pre-treating your barrel water with chlorine to help prevent algae and bacteria growth. However, several sites claim that this is not necessary because tap water is already treated with chlorine. After filling your barrels, make sure to seal the bung as tight as you can. Even though you may have barrels full of water, it’s a good idea to have smaller storage jugs just in case you need to take water with you if you need to evacuate your home. Remember, water does NOT spoil. What causes water to go bad is contamination. So keep it clean
Rainwater Harvest
I have a 55-gallon rainwater harvest barrels connected to my home. I use the water for my garden and lawn. But, if I need potable drinking water I could also use the water to drink once I have purified the water. I purchased the DIY Rain Barrel Diverter & Parts Kit and connected the barrels to my gutter downspout to collect rainwater every time it rains. It was really easy and only took about 15 minutes to do. Rainwater harvesting is an eco and budget friendly way to create a long-term water storage reserve. If you choose to drink the water, make sure to filter and purify the water before drinking it. Some preppers only use rainwater for hygiene and save the stored tap water for drinking. Although some states have made rainwater collection illegal, some drought-prone states have regulations on methods and require permits. Be sure to check the regulations for your state before you install your barrels to your home.
Here is a link to The City of Portland website www.CleanRiverRewards.com. It states, “If you manage storm water on your property, you can receive up to a 100% discount on your on-site storm water management charges because your actions help protect rivers, streams and groundwater from the damaging effect of storm water runoff.”
Oh, I almost forgot the waterBOB.
The waterBOB® is a water containment system that holds up to 100 gallons of fresh drinking water in any standard bathtub in the event of an emergency. Constructed of heavy duty food grade plastic, the waterBOB® keeps water fresh and clean for drinking, cooking, washing and flushing. Water stored in an open bathtub, with dirt, soap film and exposure to debris will spoil and become useless.
If you find yourself in a situation where you think your water may become contaminated, secure your water supply by filling the waterBOB before you do anything else.
