Here are a few more water storage tips...
- If you have treated, municipal water, you do not need to put bleach into your water storage. Municipal water has already been chlorinated, so there is no need to add more.
- Unless you are storing your water in place where it could become frozen, fill your water containers to the top. Air is an enemy to long term water storage...so leave as little air space as possible.
- Make sure your water containers are not in direct contact with concrete. Have them sitting on wood or even a piece of cardboard.
- When possible, store your water in containers with limited or no access to light. The most optimal environment for water and food storage is a space that is cool and dark.
If you are interested in re-using pop or juice bottles to store your water. The following information might be helpful...
STORING WATER IN RECYCLED BOTTLES
In general, there are three types of recycled bottles which will work for water storage: 2 liter pop bottles, plastic juice containers, and gallon bleach containers. These can be reincarnated as "water jugs."
Unless punctured, these containers will hold water for years if necessary.
Gallon size milk plastic containers are not recommended except for an extreme emergency, when nothing else is available, as they are porous and degrade in sunlight - by law!
CLEANING JUICE BOTTLES
Rinse each 2 liter, half gallon or gallon juice container after use. Fill three quarters full of clean water, add a quarter teaspoon of dishwasher detergent, then shake vigorously and let soak. Shake several times more, then empty and rinse thoroughly with fresh water until completely rinsed and clean.
Refill with fresh tap water, adding 4 drops of chlorine bleach per gallon (2 drops of bleach for 2 liter or ½ gallon). Cap tightly. Store upright in a sturdy box. These water containers will now store for years.
9 comments:
Hey guys, I found a phone number to a guy in Midway that sells the 55 gallon used water barrels for only $25. He will deliver them to your house, but you will have to clean them yourself.
If anyone is interested let me know. He also sells 15 gallon barrels for only $13.
We got a tip one time about using water filters. 14 gallons a person is great for about two weeks of drinking water. Storing more water would be nice if you have room.
In a class we took we were told about the Berkefeld water filter. They are used by the Redcross and and the WHO. They will filter several thousand gallons of clean or dirty water. You can filter rain or river water, or just filter the water you have in your containers in the basement for an added level of BFP--Bacteria Fighting Power. YEAH!! We got one on ebay a few years ago for a round $150.
Many other things in food storage are more dire than a water filter, but if you like sparkely objects, and gadgets, this is the toy for you.
So how would one go about disinfecting a previously used water barrel? I just want to make sure my stored water is nice and clean when I need it!!
It seems that many professionally cleaned barrels are cleaned with a steam cleaner without any detergents.
Jac I will send you a copy of the order form that the man from Heber has. It is full of good information. He suggests using bleach and water to rinse out containers. Baking soda and vinegar are amoung possible cleaners too.
Man, I've really dropped the ball on the juice containers. We LOVE apple juice at our house, and I've sent many an empty container out to the recycle bin. I should have been cleaning it and using it for water storage! From here on out...
Also, this may be a dumb question, but I am clueless, so here goes. How do you know if you have treated, municipal water?
Suzanne...there are no dumb questions! If you pay for your water, you have treated municipal water. Water that would need additional treatment would be water from a well. Hope this is helpful!
Okay, one more question about reusing juice bottles. Just because I am completely psycho about things...how long do you need to let the dishwasher detergent soak? And do you still need to use the chlorine bleach in them if you have municipal water? I guess that was two questions, sorry...
Suzanne, I am keenly aware of your general phobia of germs, therefore I would say to probably soak and shake your bottle for about 30-60 min. You do not need to add any additional bleach unless it makes you feel better. The chlorinated water will continue to purify, so just as long as you rotate it, I don't think you will have a problem with bacteria growth.
Post a Comment