Water preps
Posted by psdavidson812@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 22 comments
Not sure what to do about water preps. I don’t have the space really except maybe 2-55gal drums. I have a river near by for maybe cleaning. I have a bunch of filtration devices. But I feel I am lacking. Everything else I can survive 3 months without supplementing. What you guys think? There is 2 of us maybe 3.
ericj5150@reddit
I am not a SHtF prepper. I am more of a, the power is out for a week or there is a Hurricane, Fire, snow storm or another pandemic. This kind of stuff happens several times a year and is an easy prep. My home is my first and best prep. I Have some basic camping gear easy to set up tent and sleeping bags. A Coleman propane stove and my propane BBQ and extra propane. Food that does not need refrigeration, cans and dry goods. TP and wet-wipes. I also have a basic survival kit in each car that includes water and 3000 calories of self stable food and other basic survival stuff. It’s not a big SHtF event we will most likely deal with. It’s the stuff we see on the news every night.
psdavidson812@reddit (OP)
Sounds like my setup right now, down to having individual bags in my vehicles.
Immediate_Fix_13@reddit
For very long term emergencies, you can look into the potential of ground water/borehole and a hand pump. Of course you will need to get your water tested for any contaminants.
4r4nd0mninj4@reddit
I prefer water storage that's modular and can be moved by hand if necessary. That way, if there's a leak or contamination, I'm only dealing with about 5 gallons of cleanup. I'd store what you can and work on a process to filter and treat water from your river if it's not too contaminated.
Righteousrob1@reddit
Any recommendations on modular stuff
mckenner1122@reddit
I love my water bricks.
3.5 gallons makes them light enough for a sturdy kid or an older person to wrangle with the handles. Stackable. They don’t roll. Thick construction. Fit nicely under beds, stairwells, under couches.
Righteousrob1@reddit
Is there a preferred maker?
mckenner1122@reddit
Waterbrick is the maker!
Depending where you find them, you could catch a sale.
Righteousrob1@reddit
Oh. My bad. Thanks
4r4nd0mninj4@reddit
Here's a run down of a few options.
I've got a mix of the Scepter 5 Gallon Water Containers and swing top glass bottles in wine racks. Given I also have a well - and backup power, I don't keep a lot of water on hand, but I do keep the means to filter and purify about 10,000L, if necessary.
Radtoo@reddit
I think with filters and water containers that'd fit on a backpack or some kind of handcart (so you can move them if the streets were affected), you're quite fine.
Maybe you can still attach a water diverter to your rooftop gutter / downspout? The same rainwater can also be used for watering plants or w/e.
psdavidson812@reddit (OP)
I forgot I do have 2 55 gal rain barrels too. But with winter coming they will freeze
mckenner1122@reddit
I hope you’re not going to use rooftop runoff for anything other than flushing toilets. That’s some serious gross stuff.
Radtoo@reddit
With the water already on site, maybe unfreezing it requires less in gas canister volume/weight than stashing yet more water.
Depending on the climate you also can just expose a black tube/container to the sun and melt it (with all the additional possible tricks like using mirrors or insulated plastic/glass to keep heat in).
Besides maybe it's not frozen 3/4 of the year or so.
black-sentry@reddit
Everybody recognizes the inherent necessity of preparing for an emergency, but there’s a lot to do, and taking those first few steps and following it through to completion is a huge commitment. We applaud any steps in the right direction.
TrashAdvanced4771@reddit
I have concealed cases in every closet and in a crawl space..I have enough filtration equipment to last about 7 yeats.
silasmoeckel@reddit
What are your expected SHTF? What sort of filtration do you have.
If your looking at nuke for example then RO filters and river and/or rainwater could be fine.
But if your thinking pesticides could be involved your filtering setup may not be up to snuff for river water even for cleaning use.
Radtoo@reddit
FYI nukes aren't expected to require RO but merely particle filtation and not extremely small either. Your average microfilter should be fine.
silasmoeckel@reddit
The standard for removal of radionucleotides is a 3 step activated carbon, ionic, and ro filter
Radtoo@reddit
I was interpreting "nuke" as a nuclear weapon.
If you want to drink from the river specifically when a nuclear power station that melted down upstream and which has very recently been spilling those small radionucleotides into your river while additionally the government itself hasn't forced evacuation and/or set up the same ionization/RO filtration, then sure.
Even then it might be easier and safer to just use the often many water sources not fed by this specific river.
psdavidson812@reddit (OP)
Thanks guys. More worried about long term blackouts or natural disasters. I have a Berkeley and several of those 5 gal life straw filtering bags. I keep 10 cases of drinking water on hand rotating them. I forget I have 2 rain barrels for summer and can fit maybe 2 55 gal barrels in my basement. But not sure how to keep them fresh or if I need too.
New_Internet_3350@reddit
Can you clear a spot on the bottom of your closets? How about behind the couch? Under your bed?
Regardless, 2-55 gal drums is a decent amount for 2-3 people. An entire river AND filtration?! You are good to go friend.