|
Post by graf on Sept 14, 2014 15:04:18 GMT -7
Every 6 months I replace my stored potable water, for winter time I leave 20% expansion area in containers in the garage, for freezing. I have 55 gallon drum,(3) 30 gallon drums, (4) 7 gallon containers,(4) 5 gallon containers, (11) 2 litre bottles, and store bought gallon and standard bottles. I also keep (2) 15 gallon drums of non potable water for toilets,laundry etc. During warmer months I use rain barrels as well. First thing I do when a power outage happens and have a generator running is fill (2) bathtubs,washer, and any 5 gallon buckets just for extra. I have been without power for up to a week before with roads not drivable. With the hard winter predicted I wanted to get it done today while it was almost 70 temp. If your considering storing water I recommend using multiple size containers in case you have to leave your home you can take the smaller ones, just my 2 cents. Some relatives of mine live in Toledo and expeirnced first hand what happens when water is not easy to get last summer when they had a state emergency and much of the water was not drinakable and supplys went fast.
|
|
|
Post by cajunlady87 on Sept 14, 2014 15:33:36 GMT -7
Wow, now that's some water storage. Was wondering what you did with the older water you emptied out of the recepticles.
|
|
|
Post by marc on Sept 14, 2014 18:14:37 GMT -7
I have a 55 gallon drum, but likely won't add more. I use the blue plastic 7 gallon jugs from Walmart - which I really like. They are strong and a great size to move when needed. I have them stored at work, in my garage at home, in the kitchen pantry and in closets. I just get one every now and then and keep adding. I add a minimal dose of bleach when I store them, just to be sure. Years ago, I learned that the standard 1 gallon jugs of water from the supermarket just don't hold up well over time. They just aren't built to last - and they invariably end up leaking.
I've mentioned this before, but I also store water in Clorox brand bleach bottles. We use a lot of bleach in our aerobic water recycling septic system, and they are very solid bottles. I fill them up with RO filtered tap water and stack them deep.
What I have learned is that the next time I buy large water storage, I will go tall! - Smaller footprint takes up less floor space and uses vertical space which is harder to utilize without shelving. - A tall, skinny profile is much easier to conceal in a garage or shed with a false wall or other camouflage. - Pressure on the valve at the bottom is much higher. Enough to make a critical difference in some cases.
Another point that I've made before, but I think is worth repeating: In cases where you need to hide water in plain sight - add a hot water heater(s) upstream of your existing unit. Pipe it in, but don't power it or turn on the gas. You can get another 60-120 gallons of storage that is always kept fresh because water flows through to the "real" hot water heater. If someone actually notices: "My family uses a lot hot water and I'm tired of cold showers!"
Marc
|
|
|
Post by graf on Sept 15, 2014 2:12:46 GMT -7
marc- I also store empty Chlorox bottles for additional containers, they are perfect, heavy and already sanitized. I don't treat my stored water until I will be ready for using it. I read it breaks down chemically in time and can also leach into the plastic over time, my thinking is no use in wasting bleach until I need it. cajublady87- I empty the old water into the lawn for the most part, in May when in the spring I'll empty into flower beds, because it hasn't been sanitized its safe whatever i do with it.
|
|
|
Post by marc on Sept 16, 2014 5:32:51 GMT -7
I may not be be smart in doing it, but I add a small dose of bleach when I store water - just in case I suddenly need it, but haven't rotated it recently. Yes, the bleach breaks down pretty rapidly, but I want to be sure that I'm not growing things in there from the day I store it!
Marc
|
|
|
Post by graf on Sept 16, 2014 10:41:49 GMT -7
I may not be be smart in doing it, but I add a small dose of bleach when I store water - just in case I suddenly need it, but haven't rotated it recently. Yes, the bleach breaks down pretty rapidly, but I want to be sure that I'm not growing things in there from the day I store it! Marc Marc- after 6-7 months in both hot and freezing temps, only thing I have is some mineral/rust easily power washed out. Of course micro organisms are always on my mind so I concentrate on keeping fresh (less than 6 months old) bleach on hand as well as other means to purify stored water. Treating and then letting it set may give a false sense of security on treated water. Who knows who is right here? Guess we just do what we feel comfortable doing.
|
|