My prepping journey started several years’ ago. My second oldest was only a baby. We didn’t have a lot of money, but did have four boys’. At some point I knew the grocery bill would be extremely high. In order to conserve costs we bought a few chickens. In the spirit of entrepreneurship we also obtained a few ducks to have eggs for selling. People around where we live pay more for duck eggs because they are scarce.
Little did I know my garden, chickens, ducks, herb growing interest and long term pantry were considered prepping. I thought they were just what I need to have in case of an emergency. Turns out all of this is prepping. What I did n’t have an understanding of was water storage. Since several natural disasters have awakened me to what could happen and how long it might take for help to come, I ave also turned my attention to water storage.
Living a suburban homestead in the suburbs of a major city does not render acres of space for prepping. My space is slightly limited. My hope for this post is to encourage those living in cities or suburbs to still prepare. Something is better than nothing.
Store in Small Containers
Small containers to store water in is ideal for transporting. It is much easier to get water from a rain barrel to boil and disinfect than it is to carry a large five gallon bucket. In the suburbs finding a water source is more difficult due to the housing editions that are placed closely together. using rain water or creek water is only in extreme circumstances for washing clothes and dishes. Water holds bacteria so drinking it would not be advisable.
In this emergency, where water would be shut off and no electricity to get water from the fridge having a backup is important. Several ideas pop into my head on safe water storage with small containers. One, make sure container is clean and can be used to store water. using a portable water filter is one way like camping style. Another is water purification tablets. Using these tablets are for emergency situations.
Tap water can be used to fill old water bottles, and recycled 2 liter pop bottles. Make sure the lids are on tight and they are clean. Water supply needed for clothes, dishes, bathing, washing hands, cooking, and drinking are about 5-10 gallons per person.
Store in extra rooms or basement areas. Rotate every 6 months to keep fresh. Also, another way is to purchase a gallon of water in the grocery each time. Store on shelves with labels to help with rotation. Keep a number in mind of how many will be kept on hand for emergency.
Store in Larger 5 Gallon Containers
Use only food safe storage for a five gallon container. Purchase several and fill with tap or filtered water. It is always a good idea to mark with a date for rotation purposes. Close by should be the water purification tablets.
55 Gallon Drum Storage on a Suburban Homestead
On a suburban homestead utilizing a 55 gallon drum is not going to be easy to store indoors. It is possible to clear out a section in the garage for 3-6 of these large drums. Outside storage is also another idea, under a tarp or shelter to keep protected. Water stored in the heat of the outside is not ideal.
Storing water in a cool dry spot is safer.
Water Bottle Storage on a Suburban Homestead
What I have chosen to do for water storage is water bottles. I keep several cases between 10-15 stored in the corner of my garage. I store the water bottles for drinking. My goal is to clear enough space for 3 55 gallon drums to hold more water for use other than drinking water.
I want to have enough water to last us ten days in an emergency for a family of five. I know this may not be enough, but like in other shortage circumstances less would be more. We can always pare down our usage in areas to accommodate during an emergency situation.
How about you, what is your water storage plan? Will you try to save both small and large containers, water bottles only, or all three in the event of necessary needs to be prepared?
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