Storing a 55 gallon barrel of potable water -- anything I should be concerned about?
Posted by 09232022@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 19 comments
We have several packs of bottled water and a rain barrel with some various water purification methods. We also have a very small creek in our backyard, but it's seasonal, usually only running in the spring and a couple days after a rain in the summer or fall.
In the event of a long term water shortage, I do want to have a kept large supply of water set aside. My idea is 2 food grade 55 barrels of water. The only place I can keep this is in a non-ventilated garage that gets rather humid in the spring and summer.
I know I should probably dump it and refill it from time to time, but is there anything else I should be concerned about?
I think my question is actually "if I put potable water in a sealed food grade barrel and go to drink or in 6 months, is it still potable or do I still need to purify it?".
thumos_et_logos@reddit
8 drops of bleach per gallon for water purification, or instructions on tablets. I wouldn’t drink water that’s been sitting for 6 months without purification unless you put the water into the barrel while in a sterilized environment and a sterilized suit and mask. No way you did that, so I’d purify it. I mean the effort to risk ratio doesn’t make sense to drink it unpurified.
reincarnateme@reddit
This says 4 drops per quart ??
https://www.clorox.com/learn/water-purification-how-much-bleach-purify-water-for-drinking/
thumos_et_logos@reddit
I’ve read anything from 4 to 16, sounds like to doesn’t matter too too much
Virtual-Feature-9747@reddit
I fill my 55-gallon water barrels using a garden hose with a filter attachment and then treat it with Aquamira. The containers are stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Should be good for 12 months.
You can (and probably should) run everything through a countertop gravity filter before use.
EverVigilant1@reddit
I did this, but the barrels are in the basement.
--purification. i've seen small amounts of nonscented bleach or HTH pool shock treatment recommended.
--rotate it out every 6 months.
--a barrier between the floor and the barrels. I set mine on towels and flat patio bricks. First towel, then a platform of bricks, then a towel, then the barrel sits on it.
--you need a pump or a spigot to get the water out. I put spigots at the bottom of mine. Check them periodically for leaks.
--once filled you cannot move the barrels until they're emptied.
--Decide if you want the barrels with the full locking lid or the two bungholes at the top. I went with the latter, because they're cheaper.
09232022@reddit (OP)
I was concerned about the freezing part as well. I was considering a winter tarp like you put on non-local fruiting trees that typically keep them somewhat above freezing temps if it gets cold. Not sure if it would work the same though.
EverVigilant1@reddit
I really don't know. It could be OK, I suppose, if you use a removable suction type pump instead of a spigot, and if you keep the barrels less than full in winter. But then if it freezes, you have a big ice block and no water.
Faris531@reddit
With 2 bung holes at the top how did you add a spigot at the bottom? I guess I’ve only see the ones where you have to have access inside to attach/tighten
EverVigilant1@reddit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tln2u7LnBg0
Spigots come with installation instructions that show you how to install them onto 2-bunghole plastic barrels.
Income-3472@reddit
Keep the garage door cracked open to help with ventilation, keep the barrels off the floor with a pallet or cynder blocks. Most importantly just put the proper water stabilizer kits for 55 gallons in them
Robertsipad@reddit
Have some sort of leak detection system, even those $10 leak detector sirens.
AdditionalAd9794@reddit
It'll probably be fine, but you should have the means and should treat it as if it weren't
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
If you have the space, I would highly recommend getting some of these WaterPrepared 55 Gallon Tanks. Yes, they are a bit expensive but they will outlast you. They are stackable to conserve space and made to block light from getting into the water. I would still recommend putting them in a spot that gets little to no light though.
I use their Biofilm Defender to treat the water. It promises five years of water quality. I have verified it works for three years running. I have not cycled the water in over three years since the product promised five years. So far it works. I plan to update the community once I know it is good for five.
27Believe@reddit
How do you fill that monster 👹?
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
A garden style hose connected to a sink tap with an adapter. My hose connects right to a sink and the hose fills it via the top. If I ever need access to the water, I can use the built in tap at the bottom or access port on the top I used to fill it.
27Believe@reddit
Also do you have to wash it out first or just fill it up ? Debating pros /cons of something like this vs the easier to manage bricks.
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
If they are brand new, I just give it a quick rinse, dump and fill.
The bricks are nice but I would rather have the one solid tank for all of it. Plus the amount of bricks needed for the same amount of water would take up more space.
mperr7530@reddit
Check this out:
https://camelrack.com/
A very affordable solution for storage of 55 gal water.
Odd_Cost_8495@reddit
I have 4 55 gallon drums. I used to put a cap of bleach in it each time. I stopped doing that and replace the water annually. Never gotten sick and it tastes fine. I wouldn’t worry too much about much. Cycle it annually and you’ll be fine