A couple of postings ago, I provided a long list of preparation sites for your reading enjoyment. I want to break down this thing called prepping into smaller, more palatable portions, what I call the cornerstones of physical prepping, Those being Water, Food, Shelter, Medical, and Protection.
The first one I like to tackle is water. It is often the most overlooked prep item. Everyone talks about getting rice and beans and dehydrated food. While that is great, it will only work with water. Most preppers live by the rules of three facts: a person can live about three weeks without food but only three days without water. So water is not just important, it's critical.
Among the survival basics, water, water filtration, and water storage are integral to your survival. In all my assessments of a person's preps, water is the least prepared area. We're so used to turning on the faucet, and "TA-DA" water appears. In an end-time scenario, this is likely not the case. The water you find could be contaminated or just dirty and need to be purified and sanitized. I'll address these areas later in this article.
First off, there are exhaustive materials out there on the internet and in written form on this subject, so what I'm going over here is familiar and mind-blowing. I'm just talking about my personal water strategy. Again, water strategy sounds impressive, but being a military guy, I rarely do anything without a strategy, a plan, and even tactics.
Water Strategy or Plan
Back on topic here. Having a well-stocked and diversified water storage plan is a vital part of a good preparedness strategy. Not having access to water can kill someone within three days, and drinking from a contaminated water source can be fatal as well. Because of this, every prepper should store an appropriate amount of water for themselves and their loved ones. The first question I usually get after this introduction is, "How much water should I store?" This is a great question! Let's talk about it.
Before developing a water storage plan, you must know how much you will need. The general rule within the prepper community for water storage is that you need one gallon of water per person daily.
Here is a simple formula to get you started.
Water Needs= (1 gallon) X (Number of People) X (Number of Days)
Although this is a good starting point, it does not give you an accurate representation of the amount of water you will need. It only takes into consideration how much water you need to drink. It does not include water needed for personal sanitation or even cooking. For example, if you plan on eating freeze-dried foods during an emergency, you will need water to prepare them. This will increase the amount of water you need to store.
Another factor that could increase how much water you need to store is your area's climate. When we lived in Colorado, it was a high desert environment and super dry. Now, living in the Appalachian Mountains, it is almost a rainforest. So, our plan has been modified since moving.
I also want to stress this vital point; "Store More than You Think You Need." During an emergency, things probably will go differently than planned.
Because of this, it is a good idea to store more water than you may need. Containers may become damaged, and water sources may become contaminated, so have a backup plan.
Please remember to factor in your animals and pets. If your dogs are outside and active, they require much more water than indoor lap dogs. For larger dogs, it would be a good idea to have 2-3 gallons of water per day. This is especially true if you live in an area with a hot climate. Not having any livestock experience, I cannot even imagine how much you would need for a horse or goats, etc. Someone may comment on this and provide some insight.
Storage Options.
I'm going to cover the various stages in my water plan. It starts small and gets more significant as we move along. Let's begin.
The most straightforward solution to water storage is, of course, bottled water. Preppers should have at least two weeks of bottled water ready for emergency use. If you use bottled water regularly, your 2-week emergency supply should be in addition to what you keep for everyday use. I have about six weeks on hand at any given time.
When storing bottled water, it is best to rotate what you hold. The thin plastic that companies use for their bottles is not suitable for rugged use or long-term storage. Because of this, I avoid keeping any case of water for more than a month before I use it. Although bottled water should be considered something other than the backbone of your prepper water storage, it is convenient and portable. If you have a large quantity, it is a good barter item and can be handed out if you want to help someone. Also, avoid gallon jugs; although they are a cost-effective way of storing water, there are better ways. The main issue with them is that you need help to stack them. As a prepper, space is always an issue.
Portable water containers are an excellent addition to any prepper water storage plan. They will usually hold around five to seven gallons. Anything larger than this will be too heavy for most people to move. My favorite portable water container is the Reliance Aquatainer. The water brick is another popular option, while many preppers prefer a jerrycan design.
The second level in your water strategy should be potable water storage containers. I use the Aquatainer for a couple of reasons. They're inexpensive, easy to stack, and they have a fixture. They run about $18.00 or so at the local big box store. I store my Aquatainers out of the way in the barn on shelves. I rotate them every six months by emptying, rinsing, and refilling. This will help reduce the chances of bacteria and algae growing in your water containers. I have about three months of water stored up in these.
The third level in your water strategy is water barrels and or tanks. Of course, this is very space-dependent. If you have enough space, water barrels or tanks are a great addition to your prepper water storage. Although expensive, they have a large capacity and allow you to store water long-term. 55-gallon drums/tanks and 250-gallon tanks are usually small enough to fit in a corner of your garage.
Water cisterns are huge storage tanks holding a few thousand gallons of water. These are buried underground and are frequently tied to a rainwater harvesting system for irrigation purposes.
If you are considering purchasing containers such as these, you must choose the right ones. They must be made of food-grade materials. In addition, if you buy a used container, it should never have been used to store chemicals. Although we do not consider plastic porous, chemicals can embed themselves into it. Go with new ones. I found them on Amazon or Walmart.
Water stored in barrels or tanks will also require treatment to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae. You can use either water treatment drops, such as Water Preserver, or bleach to do this. When using bleach, add two drops of water per quart or liter. If using water treatment drops, follow the instructions on the packaging. If you are storing tap water, this may not be necessary, but it probably wouldn't hurt anything either.
In the next section, I will discuss other storage options out there at your fingertips; some of them are quick to set up, and others need some lead time. Let's get started.
Water Bob or Aqua Pod
These are excellent tools to supplement your prepper water storage. Both products are large plastic bladders that fit inside your bathtub and are filled with water from your tub's faucet. When you fill-up the container, it expands to include the shape of your bathtub.
The structure of the bathtub reinforces the water bladder to help prevent rupturing. These are a much better option than simply filling your tub with water. The plastic bladders protect your water from bacteria, chemicals, belly button lint, and any other grossness lurking in your tub.
Unfortunately, they are single-use products. They are meant to be filled up, used as a temporary reservoir, emptied, and then thrown away. Attempting to store them after use is not a good idea since bacteria will grow in them.
Also, systems such as these must be filled with water before an emergency or during its early stages. Despite these drawbacks, they are still great additions to your water preps. Both the Water Bob and Aqua Pod can hold several weeks of water but take up very little space before use.
You can install one barrel onto a downspout and quickly get 55 gallons of water after the first rain. You can add other barrels to the system. This is a very economical way to start supplementing your prepper water storage. If you live in an area with abundant rainfall, it would be a good option for long-term water storage and renewal.
Before you install a rainwater harvesting system, be sure to check your state and local laws. Some states, such as Colorado (Where I was last stationed), do not allow rainwater harvesting or require a permit. If you intend to drink water from your system, treat it first. Remember, the water has landed on your tar and bird-poop roof and gone through slimy gutters before being stored in a barrel. You will want to purify it before using it.
In addition to providing drinking water, rain harvesting systems also work well for garden irrigation. Using a rainwater harvesting system would allow you to keep your garden alive without using up your stored drinking water. I use one for my greenhouse, and I always have enough water.
Large storage options.
The best long-term water storage option for a prepper is a well. One of the best things about them is allowing people to be independent of a municipal water supply. Many people who do not consider themselves preppers already use a well as the primary water source for their homes. This is mainly people who live in rural areas who need access to a city water and sewer system.
Although it is nice to have a private water supply, wells do have a few drawbacks. If you have a well, you are at the mercy of whatever large concentrations of minerals may be in your soil. I have been to places where I come out of the shower smelling like rust due to the area's high iron content.
Having a mechanical well pump is an excellent idea in case you are no longer able to use the electric pump that would typically move the water from the well to your home. If you do this, be sure you know how to install and use your mechanical pump in case you need it. There are stainless-steel kits that can be installed down your well shaft to allow you to pump water manually. It's a must-have in an emergency where the grid is down.
Natural water sources.
As a prepper, it is a good idea to know where significant artificial or natural water sources are in your area. These include ponds, lakes, creeks, and rivers. These can be valuable water sources for you and your family; however, using them comes with some risks.
Be aware that water sources such as these will likely become filled with biological and chemical contaminants during a disaster. People will probably bathe themselves and clean their clothes in them and may use them as a dumping ground for human waste. Because of this, any water you retrieve from these sources must be carefully and thoroughly purified.
Other last resorts.
During an emergency, remember your water heater. Depending on size, water heaters can hold up to 80 gallons, although most will hold between 40 and 50 gallons. Any water that you retrieve from it will already be safe to consume. Although it is only a short-term solution, it could still be helpful. Make sure you filter it in case there is sediment in your tank.
Decorative Ponds (Koi Ponds, Fountains, etc.)
If you have a decorative pond in your yard, it could serve as a suitable makeshift water source. Just be sure to purify any water before you drink it. Although small decorative ponds don't usually hold too much water, they can easily be refilled with rainwater by setting up tarps to channel water into them.
Swimming Pools and Hot tubs.
Swimming pools could also be valuable long-term supplies of water during an emergency. It may technically be safe to drink water from a pool due to the chlorine killing any biological contaminants. However, I recommend running it through a filtration system first. The purpose of this would be to remove as much of the chlorine as possible. If you have a hot tub and you want it to double as a water source, u
se a Colloidal silver filer and avoid all the chlorine and pH. Shockers. You will be amazed at how cleaner your water is.
For these reasons, if you plan on using a swimming pool as a water source, be sure to have a good filter.
Filters.
Your water is only as good as your filter, and for the prepping community, some "industry standards have become what every prepper uses. Even if you have thousands of gallons of clean water stored, you still need to have the ability to filter and purify water if necessary. For home use, I use a Berkey water filter. They are available in various sizes to suit the user's needs. Berkey claims their "Black Berkey" elements are powerful enough to remove viruses and numerous chemicals.
For this reason, many consider Berkey filters to meet the definition of a "water purifier ."This is a much higher rating than something labeled a water filter. Water filters will usually only remove bacteria, sediment, and large particles. However, a water purifier can remove viruses, chemicals, heavy metals, and other contaminants. The Berkey is an extensive filtration system, and it is not portable. However, there are two smaller systems that pack a punch when it comes to water filtration. These include the Sawyer Mini Sawyer Squeeze and FIRST NEED Ceramic. These all have 0.1 absolute micron filtration ability. This means that they can remove nearly all bacteria and sediment from water. It cannot remove viruses or chemical contaminants, but in a backcountry environment, hazards such as these are usually minimal.
All three are small, lightweight, and have an enormous filtering capacity. Thanks to their backwash capability, they can provide up to 100,000 gallons of clean water. In between uses, they can be cleaned, allowed to air dry, and then stored.
If you have any questions about water storage, purification, or filtration, drop me a line at spartacusflamma@protonmail.com.
Michael
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