When it comes to survival or prepping, one of the most important items that we need is water. It should be the foremost subject to research and learn about when preparing for the first time. I figured it would be appropriate to be our first article.
WHY WATER?
Well, the answer is simple. We need water to survive. Without water for about 3-4 days under extreme conditions or at most 7 days without water, we can die.
The human body is approximately 65% water and therefore vital to our existence. There are many functions of water in our bodies. From regulation of body temperature to aiding in the delivery of oxygen to our cells, it is critical that we replace any water that we lose.
Most people do not realize the importance of water to our lives and how susceptible our water supply is to a disaster.
HOW MUCH WATER DO I NEED TO STORE?
This is probably one of the most asked questions when it comes to water storage. You can scour the web and get all different kinds of “exact” amounts of gallons of water needed. However, the true amount of water to store is dependent upon the individual or group needs.
The guidelines vary depending upon which governmental authority you follow.
According to FEMA, they recommend 1 gallon of water per day for 2 weeks. Ready.gov recommends 1 gallon of water per day for 3 days.
If you follow the history of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina or the earthquake in Haiti you will quickly see that 3 days would be insufficient and although 2 weeks would be better, it still falls short.
Based upon historical disasters, a 30-day supply of water for each individual would be appropriate. If more than 30 days is needed, sourcing your own water will be required.
So, lets take a family of four as an example and see how much water is needed!
4 persons x 1 gallon per/person/day = 4 gallons/day
4 gallons/day x 30 days = 120 gallons.
Being that the barrels are 55-gallons, two of them would be 110 gallons which is just shy of the amount required. I would err on the side of caution and instead of rationing, I would get a third barrel for a total of 165 gallons.
But what about Fido? Another factor to take into account are pets. If you have a dog for example, the recommendation is that you cut the human requirement into half.
WHICH CONTAINERS DO I STORE THE WATER IN?
There are many suggestions online for water storage containers. You must be careful in choosing the right product or you run the risk improper water storage and the water can become unusable for drinking.
The type of storage you choose depends upon your current circumstances. If you live in a condominium, a 55-gallon tank is probably not going to be feasible. So size should be a factor to consider.
Keep in mind that I do not recommend that you utilize containers that are used since the plastics can retain residue of a previously held liquid and sometimes that liquid may not have been water, thereby contaminating your water storage.
These previously used containers may be significantly cheaper, but remember that you get what you pay for. They will not be able to be cleansed properly as no amount of bleach washings can thoroughly clean the residue out of the plastic.
If you are going to store in a 55-gallon plastic barrel, then make sure it is new and made from high density polyethylene, also referred to as HDPE and has a number “2” stamped on it meaning that the barrel is safe for long term water storage.
These tanks are usually an opaque blue which helps block sunlight and reduce the growth of bacteria and algae.
If you utilize the 55-gallon barrel, you will also need a bung wrench to open or close the bung caps to provide a airtight seal. You will also need either a BPA-free siphon or pump to remove the water after it has been filled.
Now, if you are in need of a smaller container due to space limitations, I strongly suggest the WaterBrick. They are built for long term water storage and they are stackable, sturdy and easy to carry. You can find them on Amazon.com
HOW DO I GET THE WATER INTO THE CONTAINER SAFELY?
Transferring water into the containers properly is extremely important.
If you transfer the water through a contaminated hose or a hose with lead lining, then you have just wasted your time.
You will need a food-grade water hose to fill your container.Do not use your existing water hose as they contains lead and may also have bacteria from sitting in the sun all day. This is the same hose that you would use in an RV to fill with potable water and can be easily purchased at Walmart.
WHEN AND HOW DO I TREAT THE WATER?
Now we have to address water treatment. The water that comes from your faucet is most likely “treated water” if it is on city water and therefore should not require further treatment. If you are unsure, you can purchase a Chlorine test kit to make sure the chlorine content is between 2 and 4 ppm.
When the water is not pre-treated water or is well-water, then you will need to treat the water regardless.
There are a multitude of water treatment options out there, including using bleach.
I don’t recommend laundry bleach as it contains mercury and arsenic and other impurities and not stable enough to achieve long-term water storage and it’s certainly not intended for human consumption.
The only product on the market that is EPA-Registered and tested to guarantee a five year shelf life is Water Preserver Concentrate.This product turns ordinary tap water into water that can safely be stored for 5 years when used properly.
WHERE CAN I STORE THE WATER CONTAINERS?
The water barrel needs to be stored in a cool dry location and out of direct sunlight. Storing the barrel’s at room temperature (65°F – 72°F) is acceptable. However, the cooler the temperatures will help to inhibit microbial growth.
You might want to also consider a drum/barrel dolly as well to aid in moving the barrel should it become a necessity. The weight of a filled 55 gallon barrel can weigh as much as 400 lbs. will be very difficulty to move after filled.
CONCLUSION
I hope this article gives you the basic knowledge to at least start the process of one of the most important steps in becoming self-sufficient. Have you started water storage before? Do you have any tips or suggestions for this article? If so, I would love to hear from you.
To become fully prepared, be on the lookout for an upcoming article on what to do when the water storage runs dry!
I am a Survivalist Blogger since 2018. I currently reside in South West Florida when I’m not out on the road.