Tap water or bottled water?
Spending some time gathering and storing water becomes a necessary effort during a lockdown scenario since water is needed both for consumption and food preparation.
However, in the current crisis, we are experiencing, water-storing is a must as you will need adequate quantities for your hygiene and cleaning/disinfecting needs.
When the tap runs dry, you need to have a
backup plan that would provide you with a good quantity of water without
leaving the safety of your home. While most people are storing a lot of water
filters, water purifiers, and various water sanitizers (such as bleach and
chlorine), few actually spend time on water saving and storing.
You will need to store water and lots of it
if you plan for a long-term survival scenario. Even if storing water is not
complicated, you need to have the proper solutions and storage space to cover
all your needs.
This is the number one concern right now
when it comes to storing water. A lot of Americans are asking which one is best,
most cost-efficient, and healthy. With
all the misinformation online and unreliable sources, finding the proper answer
to this question can be difficult.
A study conducted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, of 1,000 bottles of drinking water from 103 brands, one in four brands “violated strict applicable state (California) limits for bottled water in at least one sample, most commonly for arsenic or certain cancer-causing manmade…organic compound.”
This Device Easily Turns Air Into Water!
In the US, tap water is regulated by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), while bottled water is regulated by the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The problem is that the current laws and
imposed standards for the two types of water sources are quite different.
Besides the above-mentioned differences,
there’s also the plastic dilemma that bugs a lot of people. If they store water
in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers, they will leach Bisphenol A
(BPA), which is a hormone disrupter; into the water, and it can cause health
issues in time. To be on the safe side, always store your water in containers
that are BPA-free.
For urban preppers, physical space
limitation is the biggest problem when it comes to storing water, and they have
to look at various solutions to cover their water needs. The following
solutions are useful for every prepper, regardless of the environment he or she
may live in.
Although the quality of store-bought water is sometimes questionable, this remains the favorite water storage solution for many. It helps a lot of people that have limited space since some bottles can be easily stacked to save said storage space.
The main problem here remains the cost, and
if you don’t shop smart, you will deplete your budget without even realizing it.
My advice is to always buy on sale and from big-box chain stores to save money.
Even more, you have to check if the plastic bottles are BPA-free if you plan
for long-term storage. And last but not least, always rotate your stockpiled
water every 8 to 12 months.
The multi-gallon water jugs are a cheaper
alternative when it comes to bottled water, but the downside of these jugs is
that they do not stack properly. Even more, most jugs are made from clear
plastic, and some preppers have complained that algae growth will become a
problem during extended periods of time.
When the WaterBOB first launched, it was a
great success amongst preppers and survivalists and to be honest, it is still
an item hard to find these days. This is a bathtub-sized food-grade plastic
container that fills your entire tub and allows you to store up to 100 gallons
of tap water.
As a last-minute water storage solution,
this is the best solution I can think of. However, if you lack the money to buy
a few of these items, you can always improvise and use heavy-duty trash bags.
The bags will not hold as much water, but at least you will be able to store
enough water until your tap runs dry.
This is another invention (with the added
manual pump) that is meant to help preppers with their water storage needs, and
these 55-gallon plastic bags have become very popular. They are BPA-free and
UV-resistant since they are made from opaque plastic.
Being very sturdy, a lot of people are
buying and storing them in their suburban homes. According to various
estimation, two of these barrels will provide a month of water for a family of
four. The problem with these barrels is that they are heavy and are not
portable once filled with water (compared to most bottled water you buy at the
store).
To save money, buy used barrels that
weren’t exploited for storing chemicals and clean them properly before filling
them with water. You can add a water pump to them, and it will cost you much
less than the commercial ones.
The homesteader is privileged when it comes to storing water as they often have a well or a nearby source of potable water that can be used in times of need. Having rain barrels on your property to collect rainwater (although it is illegal in some states) will provide a great advantage. Besides being an economical way of storing water, you can also use that water for cleaning and other chores that do not require the water to be purified.
Even so, there are some hazardous issues
that need to be addressed, and the way you collect water should be your main
concern. The rainwater rinsing off of roofs made of asphalt, concrete, wood,
and steel may contain a high concentration of copper, lead and other dangerous
metals. Asphalt shingles may also contain small amounts of Benzo[a]pyrene, a
carcinogenic compound.
We all know that rainwater can be purified
and used for human consumption, but if you want to be 100% safe, use the rainwater
for crops and cleaning purposes only. Even more, before you install a rainwater
catching system, make sure nobody knows about your business, or you may face
legal problems down the road.
A serious homesteader will have a large
cistern tank buried on their property with enough water to last for years.
These are the best solution if you have the space and budget for it, and a
water cistern can hold around 10,000 gallons of water that should last you for
at least three years.
This is a long-term investment, and it will
require maintenance and proper planning. If you go with such an option, you
have to keep in mind that most of these cisterns are not food-grade friendly,
and the water needs to be filtered in order to drink it. However, if you manage
to cover the costs and the logistics issues, you will not have to worry about
running out of water.
Contrary to popular belief, water doesn’t
have an expiration date. However, you still have to make sure your stored water
is drinkable when the time comes. This precious liquid will never go bad if you
store it properly and keep it safe from contaminants. The main problem with
storing water is that chemicals, algae, and bacteria can ruin your stockpile in
a matter of days.
You need to store water in sealed in
air-tight, opaque containers. You shouldn’t open the containers unless you plan
to use the water. It should be stored in a cool place, a place where
temperatures don’t fluctuate.
If you rely on tap water to supplement your
stockpile, there is no need to treat it with iodine or chlorine. In theory, tap
water should be already treated, and there’s no need to add more chemicals to
it. However, for those that need absolute peace of mind, you can add 1/8
teaspoon of chlorine per gallon of water before you seal the containers.
If you store water for long-term survival,
in time, it will lack oxygen, and it will develop an overall flat taste. To fix
this issue, make sure you stir it up a little bit before you drink it (this
will aerate the water). Even more, if you think that your water was
contaminated, you can boil it or use a UV water purifier to make it safer for
consumption.
When things start to fall apart, and your
water storage gets depleted, you can always rely on emergency water, you can
find all around you. You need a little bit of imagination and persistence to
figure out where water is stored inside your home.
Before ending this article, I wanted to
provide you with some alternatives to get a few gallons of water from hidden
sources inside your home. This may be your last resort in certain cases, and
it’s useful for having this knowledge during a water crisis.
The top tank of your toilet holds a couple
of gallons of tap water, and it should be safe to drink. That water just waits
to be used, and if nobody uses the toilet, it will still be there when you
needed.
Some households have water heaters that can
hold up to 80 gallons of fresh water, and your water heater (depending on the
model) can become a precious source of drinking water in case needed. Almost
all water heaters have a drain valve that can be opened to empty their content.
In case needed, you can ration and use that water during an emergency.
Your water pipes, although not the best
sources, may still contain a significant quantity of water that can be used
during an emergency. While most pipes will be drained when the water pressure
drops, there are still some that can hold water. In places such as the attic,
water will collect in low spots, and you can harvest it by disconnecting the
pipes. I have to mention that this is worth doing only if you have the proper
knowledge to disconnect the pipes and reconnect them without causing damage.
A pool is a required “utility” for most Americans when they’re buying a home regardless if it’s an above-ground one of the classical family pool. A decent-sized pool contains a good amount of water that can be used for various purposes. When isolated at home, make sure you collect the water from your pool if a water shortage is foreseen in the near future. If you don’t do so, all the chlorine content from your water will burn away in the sun, and your pool will be infested by algae and bacteria. Not to mention that all sorts of contaminants can fall into the pool, and it will make filtration and purification a painful job.
The average freezer you can find in most American households can provide a good quantity of water. However, you need to find the best way to defrost your freezer and capture the melting ice, wasting as little as possible. Once you manage to do so, you will have enough water to quench your thirst for a few days.
Most vegetables are packed in water to keep
them fresh, and all canned goods can provide you with a decent quantity of
water/liquid that can be used for human consumption.
Note: Live the fish tank be!
Yeah, some survivalists suggest that a
20-gallon fish tank will provide a single adult with enough water to survive
for three weeks. They recommend filtering and purifying the water and drink it
based on your needs. Even more, they also suggest eating the fish since they
are a good source of omega-3 oil.
This should be your last resort, and if you
end up doing this, you’ve already done something wrong along your survival
journey. In isolation, a fish tank will provide you with a sense of tranquility
and a much-needed relaxation that will improve your morale. Keep in mind that
you also need to stay sane!
Water is needed in any type of emergency scenario, and you simply can’t survive without it. Putting some effort now, when the time still allows it, to figure out how to store water, how much and what to do in case you run out of it, will save you a lot of trouble when down the road. Storing water is not a difficult task nor an expensive one (compared to food storage), and if you plan for proper water storage solutions, you can keep your loved ones alive for weeks, months, and even years.
Bob Rodgers is an experienced prepper and he strives to teach people about emergency preparedness. He quit the corporate world and the rat race 6 years ago and now he dedicates all his time and effort to provide a self-sufficient life for his family. He loves the great outdoors and never misses a chance to go camping. For more preparedness related articles, you can visit him at Prepper’s Will
How do I determine if the plastic containers I have are BPA-free?
HDPE is what you are looking for. Look on the bottom of the container. HDPE is food safe, there might be others. You can research (google) all the different types of plastic there are.
I didn’t see well water mentioned.
We have high lime content & hardness, with a touch of red iron in a 165″. well, in N.E. WI.
Any tips for we well owners?
We distill all drinking, coffee, and some cooking water, (noodles, rice,…). Our wells are high in lime, very hard, tastes gamey.
It seems that everything I read about the General Subject of Water – lets the two Separate processes – Water Storage vs. Water Purification – get all jumbled together and confused. This is both dangerous And Non-Performing. Discuss the two Separately – and Carefully. Your Health and Life Depend on it.
The two Primary Issues concerning Water Storage are : 1.) Covered / Enclosed so that NO LIGHT (Natural -or- Artificial) can reach Any of your containers; and 2.) Fill All of your containers “Brim Full” – this displaces air and is crucial. Be Careful and VERY Clean !
Fish tanks can hold a lot of water, but chances are if you’re having to use your “reserve” water supply there probably won’t be any electricity. So keeping a fish tank up and running will be a very low item on the list of priorities.
What about the sawyer filtration system which a majority of prepping and bushcraft sites recommend. They are rated for 100,000. Gallons supposedly, The filter is exceptionally well rated. Could this help?
Tap water or bottled water?
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