Water Storage

[m4me]

I am afraid that like many, I am poorly under-prepared from a water perspective.

As a starting point, I think I am going to order some stackable jerry cans from Ampulla - the food grade approved, 25L stackable containers seem quite good value.

Before I place an order, I wanted to ask a handful of questions:

1. As a starting point, how much water should I store for 10 days for 2 people? I was hoping that 250L might be enough for basic drinking, cooking and hygiene.
2. How do you currently store your water? Are there any other high-quality solutions I should consider for less than £62/250L?
3. If I store water directly from the tap, is there anything else I should do to the water to ensure that it is fit for purpose? I realise that I can boil it or bleach it at a later date, if I am foolish enough not to keep it fresh every 6 months etc.

Thanks.

[pseudonym]

As a starting point, how much water should I store for 10 days for 2 people? I was hoping that 250L might be enough for basic drinking, cooking and hygiene.

250 litres is a great starting point. Why waste drinking water on hygiene though? Use a water butt to store your water for washing and cleaning purposes I do

How do you currently store your water? Are there any other high-quality solutions I should consider for less than £62/250L?

I use 25 litre Jerry cans and 2 litre pop bottles for drinking water and a water butt for cleaning/hygiene water.

If I store water directly from the tap, is there anything else I should do to the water to ensure that it is fit for purpose? I realise that I can boil it or bleach it at a later date, if I am foolish enough not to keep it fresh every 6 months etc.

Keep it in a dark place to prevent algae growth

HTH

[Briggs]

If you're after some low cost water containers it might be worth checking out mole valley farmers fruit juice containers. £20 for 205litres.

Bit bulky for indoors but in a shed or back garden they are pretty good.

[triffid]

A cheap (possible) alternative

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat ... nk&_sop=15

Obviously make sure it has REALLY been cleaned out, I'd steam clean/sterilize solution/steam clean again & again.

[m4me]

Thanks.

I am going to keep some of this water in my cellar, so should be able to ensure it stays nice and dark. I think that chunking up my water into smaller containers could be very helpful in an emergency, but that fruit juice container is a great find.

I am going to have a think about it, but there is a chance I will end with a mixture of both!

[skinhead]

nothing stopping you drinking the water used for cooking either, if its veg or pasta and you dont add salt to it while cooking drink it once its cooled, added bonus with veg is some vitamins and nutrients will be absorbed into the water whilst cooking

[ticklemonkey]

I am not ideally placed water-wise, heck it is only the key to life.

Plan is to go the ampulla way for the food grade containers as well but not too big to be a hazard to move in case needed (I have found water to be remarkably heavy ) and also getting a lifesaver jerry can.
It's a pricey plan unfortunately.

[ForgeCorvus]

Think of water in three catagories.

Water that goes Inside:
Drinking
Cooking
Tooth brushing and face washing
Hygene washing (hands before food-handling etc)
Hygene cleaning (Raw foods and equipment for their prep for example)

Water that goes Outside:
Body washing
Clothes washing
Hand washing
General cleaning

Water that Goes Away
Floor cleaning
Toilet flushing
Fire buckets
Plant water


ATM all the water that most people use is fit for Inside uses because it comes out of the tap and its easier to just use the one standard. However, if you have to gather or store all your water yourself it then makes more sense to only process it so its 'good enough' for its end use.

Your stock (as you've listed it) would allow two and a half gallons per man/day, not much if you're using it for everything.... But you shouldn't be.

If you were to plan to keep your stored water for Inside uses and have a rainwater butt (or three) for the other uses (and have water treatment gear to extend your potable water reserve)..... Thats how I'd be doing it anyway

[Briggs]

I was thinking about water the other day and worked out using some mathematrickery that if you live in a city, the water you flush is back in your tap within a week.