The Lowdown On Water Storage

THE LOWDOWN ON WATER STORAGE The need to store water for an emergency situation isn't rocket science. NON-TUXIC PLASTIC. BPA FREE The hard part is to know how to treat the water you are going to store, what containers you should use and what you need to do once you've stored it. BISPHENULA NO PHTHA What You Should Store Water In! How Much Do You Need LASTIC • NON-TOXIC BPA FREE You need about a gallon of drinking water per day per person. This may vary depending your climate and physical health but it's important to have as much fresh water as possible. BPA Free Plastic Glass Stainless Steel Make sure it's Food Grade Plastic, Sterilized, and stored in a climate controlled area of your home. It has to be Food Grade Glass - lead crystal glass can leach into the water over time. Also, Steel is great because it's impermeable and is lighter than glass. A word of caution though: Chlorine can corrode steel so make sure you line your steel barrels with a protective cover. glass needs to be protected from light so cover the glass or store in a dark room What Not To Store Water In! Non-food-grade plastic The plastic containers can leech dangerous chemicals into anything you store in them and degrade over time. Food grade plastic which has previously stored things other than food Any kind of chemical (yes - including cleaners) could soak into the plastic and then soak right back out again into your long-term water storage. BLEACH Food grade plastic which previously stored fruit, juice, syrup, or milk Yes these storage containers are food grade but don't use them for long term food storage! The sugars in juice and milk can't be completely removed and this creates a bacteria's paradise in your water supply. Any kind of cardboard This may seem like a no brainer but some people think its ok. Cardboard containers easily break; soak up unwanted chemicals and leak overtime. Do not purchase water in "milk jug" plastic for long term storage. The plastic is more porous and will break down, especially in heat. DANGER Water Storage Recommendations DRINKING WATER 12/31/2013 2. Clearly label all water containers "drinking water" with the current date a.This will help you find the safe water to drink quickly and easily. DRINKING WATER 12/31/2013 1. Rinse the container/barrel out thoroughly before filling them. 3. Store the water in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources DR ING TER DRINKING WATER 4. Do not store it near gasoline, kerosene, pesticides or similar substances. 5. Place the 30-55 gallon containers, where you want them, BEFORE filling them. A filled 55 gallon barrel weighs about 483 lbs. 6. Rotate Water every 6-12 Months a. If you done everything right and have stored your water perfectly it should stay drinkable for years. Let's be honest though, we don't live in a perfect world and things will go wrong. b. Water storage is a full time job so once a year check for leaks, color of DRINKING WATER 12/31/2013 RINKING ATER 12 013 water and odor 7. Do Not Store Your Water Directly on Cement a. There is a lot of debate out there about if it's ok to store water directly on cement. Cement can off gas into plastic water containers ruining your water. b. Store your water containers off the floor with some wood or a rubber mat DRINKING WATER 12/31/2013 WAYS TO TREAT YOUR WATER After you've identified and cleaned the containers you are going to use for your water storage it's time to make sure your water can support you and your family when things turn south. Halazone Tablets Make sure it has an EPA registration # b. Shelf life of 2 years c. These should only be used in an emergency; they quickly lose their effectiveness when they are exposed to war humid air. Boiling a. Safe lodine Tablets b. Requires fuel/heat - Bring to steady boil for 5 minutes c. Water tastes better with oxygen! After you boil it, pour it back forth between two clean containers to put some more oxygen into it. a. Kills amoebic dysentery cysts that chlorine can't b. Have to be fresh tablets, they lose their strength over time C. 3-5 year shelf life d. Don't use with Pregnant or Nursing Women chlorine bleach giardia Bleach filter a. It's recommended that you add 5-7 drops, about 1/8 teaspoon, of chlorine bleach per Filter gallon of water stored. b. Do not use bleaches with fresheners or scents a. Filters have to filter to 1 micron to be effective as they may not be safe to consume c. To remove the Chlorine taste, before you drink it, Leave the cap OFF for 24 hours, and the chlorine will evaporate out. d. Purchase a Pool Chlorine measuring kit to test Distillation b. Not great for large quantities of water c. Filtering eliminates parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium, but it may a. The condensed vapor will not include salt or other impurities b. Requires fuel/heat - can be solar powered If you live by the ocean you have unlimited of salt water. your water. e. Be sure to measure for chlorine BEFORE you allow it to evaporate. If there is no measurable chlorine, there may still be bacteria in the water. not eliminate all bacteria and viruses c.I foodinsurance.com emergency food supply http://offgridsurvival.com/emergency-water/ http://readynutrition.com/resources/emergency-water-sources-hidden-in-your-home_24082011/ http://modernsurvivalblog.com/preps/long-term-drinking-water-storage/ http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2012/01/16/water-storage-containers-pros-and-cons/ http://www.drinkingwater.utah.gov/emergency_water_storage.htm www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4440181 Food_and_Water-English.revised_7-09.pdf HTHALATES. O BISPHER