Water Storage 101

" Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."


Just as we need spiritual water we also need physical to survive. Can you think of a time you really needed water? Maybe a hiking trip or long drive between stops? You were thirsty but the most any of has gone without water is maybe a day.

I remember I was on a 50 mile backpacking trip through the mountains of Nevada as a teenager, and we relied on streams along the way for our water. One evening we had been hiking all day, and we were out of water. On the map it showed a stream bed at the bottom of the hill we were on. We hiked down only to find out the stream was dry. We kept hiking down the stream bed hoping and praying that maybe a spring of some sort would appear. After another hour of hiking we finally found some water. I was very relieved.

I remember how thirsty I was then , and cannot imagine going days without water. Even more now I would not be able to handle seeing my wife and kids thirsty if something happened, and I did nothing to prepare.

If the water supply is tainted or if there is an earthquake it can take several days to weeks to get water. We need to have some on hand to survive if something like that happens.

I urge you to start now with a water supply, however big or small.

Vance

How Much Water do I Need?

You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.

If you can get more than three days you should. We have four 55 gallon containers right now with plans to get more. Right now Macey's grocery store has an excellent deal on these @ $29.00.

If you cannot get those, or have room for them, start small with pop bottles in the closet or under the bed (see containers below). Every little bit helps, and may be life giving to your family if something happens.


Containers

Use only food-grade containers. Smaller containers made of PETE plastic(PET plastics are coded with the resin identification code number "1" inside the universal recycling symbol- most pop bottles.), usually located on the bottom of the container. or heavier plastic buckets or drums work well.
Clean, sanitize, and thoroughly rinse all containers prior to use. A sanitizing solution can be prepared by adding 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of liquid household chlorine bleach (5 to 6% sodium hypochlorite) to one quart (1 liter) of water. Only household bleach without thickeners, scents, or additives should be used.
Do not use plastic milk jugs, because they do not seal well and tend to become brittle over time.
Do not use containers previously used to store non-food products.


Water Pretreatment

Water from a chlorinated municipal water supply does not need further treatment when stored in clean, food-grade containers.
Non-chlorinated water(water from a well etc) should be treated with bleach. Add 1/8 of a teaspoon (8 drops) of liquid household chlorine bleach (5 to 6% sodium hypochlorite) for every gallon (4 liters) of water. Only household bleach without thickeners, scents, or additives should be used.

Storage

Containers should be emptied and refilled regularly.
Store water only where potential leakage would not damage your home or apartment.
Protect stored water from light and heat. Some containers may also require protection from freezing.
The taste of stored water can be improved by pouring it back and forth between two containers before use.