Water storage? | TheaterFire

[-]

I recent acquired 2 each 300 gallon (surplus FEMA) potable water tanks on the cheap. Just today, ordered 2 each 50' water hoses (marketed for drinking water) on an Amazon Black Friday Sale for approximately $20 each.

[-]

Additional-Stay-4355@reddit

1 gallon/ day is bare minimum for survival. Do you want to cook with water? Wash? Flush toilets? I’d recommend a 275 gallon IBC tote if you can find a home for it. I put mine in my side yard. You can get one brand new for $120.

[-]

EverVigilant1@reddit

did you bury it? Or does it just sit there in full view?

[-]

Additional-Stay-4355@reddit

It's in a narrow side yard between the house and the fence. You can't see it. It's a little too "industrial chic" for my taste to put in the front yard.

I have it hooked up to a well pump and plumbed into the house in case I lose city water pressure. It lasted about 3.5 days with normal use. I mean long showers, running the dishwasher, laundry and irrigating the garden.

If you made even a token effort at conserving water it could easily last two weeks.

I got an insulated cover to put over it. I might get an immersion heater for hard freezes.

The whole project was a little under $400 and I'll never lose water again - priceless.

[-]

EverVigilant1@reddit

That's a great set up. And it's even located where people can't see it from the street.

[-]

Additional-Stay-4355@reddit

Exactly - it's pretty posh. This is pretty common practice in South Africa.

After going through several hurricanes and ice storms, I decided to make my house Houston proof. Standby generator, backup water and emergency beer rations.

[-]

purpleflask@reddit

Where did you buy the 275 gal IBC tote?

[-]

eightchcee@reddit

yep totally agree with this 1 gallon per day per person. That is simply sufficient water for drinking and making tea or coffee. If there is no running water, 1 gallon per person per day is peanuts.

OP, most of Asheville in Western North Carolina was without running water for three weeks after Helene. and only just a few days ago did the running water become potable. when there is no running water and you have to use container water for everything… Washing dishes, cooking, hygiene, flushing toilets, 1 gallon does not go far.

so I would consider having ways to store water that can be used for things other than drinking

[-]

Additional-Stay-4355@reddit

Especially down here in Texas, 1 gallon per day wouldn't cut it even just for drinking. FEMA is trippin'.

It also depends on how comfortable you want to be. I don't think there's such thing as too much water.

[-]

zachattack3500@reddit (OP)

I’m planning to stock up on 7 days worth of Mountain House for each family member, so cooking shouldn’t be an issue. Cleaning and toilet flushing is a good point though. I definitely don’t have the space or logistics for something that large, but I’ll look into upping my estimated water needs.

[-]

Additional-Stay-4355@reddit

It just depends on how comfortable you want to be and for how long. I'm going for maximum comfort (completely normal life) for 1 week - because I'm a spoiled brat.

I've only been without water for a maximum of three days due to a frozen water main. The other instances have only been for a day.

[-]

Sweet-Leadership-290@reddit

These is the most space and budget friendly storage solution I have found for that application.

[-]

EverVigilant1@reddit

Good find. They'd be too heavy for my wife to use.

[-]

Sweet-Leadership-290@reddit

Built in flexible pour spout. If you sit them on a flat surface you can just tilt and pour. Do not need to lift

[-]

After-Leopard@reddit

I thought there was a pump you can attach to it so you could pump out a half gallon as needed

[-]

ohengineering@reddit

Can't stack them, but the fuel-type containers made by Midwest Can are pretty cheap around me, ~$15, and they're more durable than most of the other water storage containers I've found.

[-]

Bunnysniper44@reddit

I use multiple of these along with 15gal water drums from legacy food storage

[-]

lukesgreer@reddit

Came here to say this. Aquatainers are great

[-]

Cute-Consequence-184@reddit

I started out with reusing 2 liter bottles stacked on their sides with braces at the sides. Can also work in the morning of a closet

[-]

Protect_your_2a@reddit

50 gallon blue drums are the way to go

[-]

DavesNotHereMan69420@reddit

Home Depot sells a holder for the 5 gallon jugs, they hold 5 jugs per holder. It cost me about $120 per holder with 5 jugs, kinda pricey but.. I am able to store 50 gallons in my room and it barely takes up space.

I also have a Berkey and some 5 gallon buckets, I'll just take water out of a near by pond, and filter it with a t shirt, then into the Berkey.

Also I buy the 1 gallon jugs of water at Aldis and keep those under my bed. I did think about filing up the bathtub with water but I'd rather still use it to stay clean for hygiene purposes. Bought two of those plant watering jugs from home depot, I'll just warm up some water and use them like a shower.

[-]

chris_rage_is_back@reddit

I've got a 2000 gallon spa in the backyard. I think I'm good

[-]

zachattack3500@reddit (OP)

Nice brag, not very helpful for me though

[-]

chris_rage_is_back@reddit

Sure it is, get a spa. You don't need a monster like I have here but it's a chlorinated water source that's easily accessible and you could filter particulates with a sand filter or something similar, the water is clean, you just need to sift out the skin or leaf particles or whatever

[-]

zachattack3500@reddit (OP)

I can see how it’s a benefit if you have it already, but I get the sense that other solutions may be more cost-effective for my situation.

I’ll let you know how justifying installing a spa as “disaster prep” goes.

[-]

chris_rage_is_back@reddit

It's not ideal but it's got advantages. Constant circulation, cheap sterilization, easy access... if I didn't have this I'd get some of those caged tanks and paint it black with a circulator pump/filter of some sort run off a small solar bank, which I have about 8 of but you can find them cheap enough

[-]

zachattack3500@reddit (OP)

Why paint it black? For heat?

[-]

chris_rage_is_back@reddit

Yes, to kill algae

[-]

dirty-E30@reddit

Isnt it tk prevent algal growth, not to kill it? Painting it black, I would think, would not absorb enough heat to sterilize 275 gals, even in direct, high summer desert sun.

[-]

chris_rage_is_back@reddit

Plus algae needs light to grow, otherwise it wouldn't be green. I'm sure some could grow in the dark but it wouldn't flourish

[-]

chris_rage_is_back@reddit

It's going to need chlorine too, you're not just relying on the sun, it's a preventative measure

[-]

celephia@reddit

I like to repurpose old tidy cats jugs for non-potable water. I like them for toilet flushing and cleaning if the water goes down. I keep a large stock of bottled water for cooking and drinking.

[-]

Zasaran@reddit

People make this way to difficult.

For potable water

Aqua Brick container

• 9" x 18" x 6" = 972 cubic inches • 3 gallon capacity = 324 cubic inches per gallon storage space. • Change out water every 6-12 months • Cost for 30 gallons potable water • 6 pack aqua bricks on Amazon is $185.95 that is 30.99 a piece. 3 gallons each you need 10 or at a cost of $309.90 plus tax. Then you have to fill it and treat it to store or every 6-12 months.

Members mark purified water

• 17" x 12" x 8" = 1632 cubic inches • 16.9 oz x 40 pack is 676 oz or 5.28 gallons • 5.28 gallon capacity = 309 cubic inches per gallon • Life span about 2 years • Cost for 30 gallons of potable water • 4.28 x 6 = 25.68 or about 12.84 a year if you don't normally use it. My family already drinks it regularly so technically free, just higher stock pile

Based on today's numbers, it would take 24 years of buying cases is water before aqua bricks become more cost efficient. That does not include your time you have to put into them. The math does not work out. They are more expensive, time consuming, and take up more room for long term home storage.

Another source of potable water is your hot water heater. Most are 30-50 gallons and can easily be emptied. Turn iff the heater first, run it through a cloth filter for sediment.

If you have a source of water nearby such as a river, lake or pond pick up some of these

P&G Purifier of Water Portable Water Purifier Packets. Emergency Water Filter Purification Powder Packs for Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Hunting, and Traveling. (12 Packets) https://a.co/d/4ThnjAN

$2 a pack will clean 2.5 gallons of water.

Try to find a local non potable source, such as a lake, River, creek, pond. This can be used for flushing toilets.

[-]

zorionek0@reddit

Casual. I just use a still suit

gif

[-]

Jafso_@reddit

I noticed 1 case of 16.9 fl oz water bottles from Costco (good ol' Kirkland brand) is 5 gallons. I have 2 cases per person for my family of 4 set aside in the garage. We cycle through a case and replace as needed.

[-]

ChaosRainbow23@reddit

I was recently hit by hurricane Helene in Western NC.

I lost power for 9 days and running water for 6.

I HIGHLY recommend getting a 55 gallon rain catch and one of those emergency bags you can fill up in the bathtub before a known emergency.

I was wading into flood water to fill up 5 gallon buckets just to flush my toilet. I'm NOT a fan of going into flood water.

Having more grey water would have have been a lifesaver.

My other preps came in extremely handy. Flashlights, food, headlamps drinking water, charging blocks, emergency radio, lanterns, propane grill, wood fired grill...

I have since bought a gas generator. It would have made our perishable food supplies last WAY longer. Plus, you can power lamps, TV, and fans at the same time as the fridge and freezer.

[-]

zorionek0@reddit

Did you go with Generac for the backup generator?

[-]

ChaosRainbow23@reddit

Nope.

I just got this cheapo one.

https://a.co/d/5loM9EY

[-]

zachattack3500@reddit (OP)

Somebody else suggested a waterbob for the bathtub. Even if you aren’t drinking it, that makes sense to have a large readily available supply of water to flush the toilet with.

[-]

reduhl@reddit

Personally, I like glass brewing carboys. You can get them in 5 gallons or 3. They are not cheap and they are heavy. However glass in a well known storage medium and does not impart anything to the water. I cycle my water storage 4 times a year minimum.

[-]

zorionek0@reddit

I have four 7 gallon Aquatainers (1 per family member) and 4 cases of bottle water in the pantry. I rotate the Aquatainers monthly (ish) taking them up to our cabin for the weekend.

The water bottles I replace less frequently because I typically use reusable.

[-]

Youre-The-Victim@reddit

Don't forget that you have 25 to 50 gallons of clean water already stored in a water heater unless you have a on demand water heater. You'll need a small section of garden hose to attach to the drain on the tank.

Also it's good to open that drain once a year to flush out sediment and calcium anyway.

[-]

zorionek0@reddit

I love my Rinnai combi boiler.

[-]

After-Leopard@reddit

I use vinegar to clean so when I have an empty gallon I wash it out and fill with water. Then add like some drops of bleach (don’t remember how much). I have a space under the basement stairs I fill up.

[-]

SubstantialAbility17@reddit

Lowes has a good deal on the military scepter water jugs. They are pretty robust.

[-]

ShadowwKnows@reddit

I keep one of these in the 55g water storage drums basement, and then have a bunch of 5-gallon containers as well. I also have a drain in the basement (and I put the drum nearby, on wheels). This is important for refreshing the water periodically.

[-]

Heck_Spawn@reddit

[-]

Low_Beautiful_5970@reddit

Love one but need to keep it outdoors. Winter will be a problem

[-]

EverVigilant1@reddit

I've seen those, but where are you going to keep that?

[-]

Jugzrevenge@reddit

They cost about $300 here. What price is everyone else getting them at???

[-]

Loud-Home8039@reddit

$100 here in the Houston area, but they aren’t great for long term water collection due to algae growth. Get a black one, they are much more expensive tho

[-]

BitsAndPizzas@reddit

They make black covers for them. Those should work as long as you aren't opening the cover all the time. Also if you treat the water before you seal it, that should help out a lot as well with any algae.

[-]

infinitum3d@reddit

5 gallon jugs from Primo at Walmart, Lowe’s (and dozens of other retailers) are about $15 each but half that is the bottle deposit. As you use it and rotate through your supply, it’s only about $7.50 USD to replace an empty with a full.

Good luck!

[-]

DwarvenRedshirt@reddit

I've got a few packs of bottles for regular use. Depending on when something goes down, I'll have that as a starting point. It may or may not work out (ie. low on supplies when something hits). But I'm always rotating through those, so I know it's good. I don't really count these in my storage since I'm always going through them.

Next up, I've got 5, 5 gallon bottles of water (water cooler bottles) and a manual pump. These are fairly maneuverable if I need to cart them around (around 40 pounds). If I didn't have the manual pump, I could manually pour them out, but could be messy.

These first two I can give away relatively easily to others that need them.

Finally, I've got several 7 gallon aquatainers. These are a bit less than 60 pounds full. So I can move those around if really need to, but wouldn't want to.

I used to have a couple 55 gallon drums, but those failed over the years (plastic cracked) and I never replaced them. You pretty much have to put them in a location and fill there, and it can be a pain getting water to them.

There are other square stackable solutions out there, but I never bothered with them.

[-]

zachattack3500@reddit (OP)

Thanks, I’ll probably get a few of the aquatainers and some smaller containers

[-]

EverVigilant1@reddit

If you're doing 28 gallons, get carriers that contain between 3 and 5 gallons. You have to be able to move and carry them, so that's what I'd use.

[-]

MrPeanutsTophat@reddit

I buy one gallon plastic jugs at costco, and then I cycle through them.

[-]

lacunadelaluna@reddit

I like the gallon jugs with the handle on top vs. like a regular milk style gallon jug, easier to carry. After using some up in Helene I refilled some and put those under sinks for toilets, but put the rest of the empties away to be refilled if I know a storm is coming so they don't sit with well water. Also replacing with more store bought too

[-]

chantillylace9@reddit

I do a waterbob

[-]

Hefty-Squirrel-6800@reddit

It depends on whether you are going to bug out in place or travel. Now that you have the water stored, get a high-capacity filter like a Berky. I'd keep it stored in a large water cooler bottle and draw it into smaller receptacles as necessary. But have some individual water bottles, too. You want to draw water out from time to time, use it, and then refill. That's why I like the stand-alone water coolers, with spare five-gallon jugs.

[-]

Femveratu@reddit

Check out stackable and space efficient “water bricks” or aqua bricks on Amazon and other vendors good luck!

[-]

No-Garden8616@reddit

Individual water bottles are the best. 1/2 gallon each or something like this. One of my relatives was lining them up along walls during sh..ty times. Because this way it doubled as anti-fragmentation shields.

[-]

zachattack3500@reddit (OP)

Thank you. Can you talk about why you recommend 1/2 gallon bottles?

[-]

TheClumsyTree@reddit

The ability for every family member to carry, lift, and pour without spilling them is ideal. Also easy to tell how much you have left.

I like the blue square aquatainers with the spouts - easier to wash hands when camping, have a handle, and don’t roll around as much in transport.

I also hang on to a few empty juice bottles at a time for extras (one for each bathroom counter) and I also store some filled in the freezer for if my fridge power goes out.

[-]

No-Garden8616@reddit

I am just forwarding recommendation from the relatives with hands-on experience. Not sure about exact reasons (we did not talk this topic that much), but likely these are just handy for very intermittent water supply as they had. May be it was balance between purchase costs, availability and rapid spoilage of water if larger bottles are left half-filled.

[-]

AmosTali@reddit

Since I live in a rural area with a somewhat suspect water supply we drink bottled water anyhow so we store a supply of 5 gal jugs in climate controlled basement, a working supply is stored upstairs next to dispenser. When working supply is emptied we replace it, putting it in basement and moving jugs from basement up to working supply - FIFO. We also fill smaller, portable bottles from this supply.

If you choose 5 gal jugs get a manual pump for them or a gravity fed dispense. Our dispenser is pumped (jugs on bottom - no lifting) and chilled. We have manual pump backup.

YMMV - find what works for your lifestyle. For example, If you regularly drink bottled water then set up a “fill station” using 5 gal jugs and reusable bottles and cycle the 5 gal jug supply FIFO.

[-]

Tinman5278@reddit

This is what we do too. I'd much rather cycle through 5 gallon carboys than hundreds of 1 liter water bottles. We use a gravity fed chiller.

[-]

grandmaratwings@reddit

We have the office type water cooler in our kitchen. Our tap water smells like straight chlorine when you turn on the faucet so yeah, not drinking that. We get water delivered every other week, swap out empties for full. But. We keep 10 of the 5 gallon jugs on hand. We use about a bottle a week so even when we’re due for a delivery, at worst we have eight 5-gallon jugs full. Household is two adults and a cat.