How much water do I need to store?
- 1 gallon per person per day (bare minimum)
- Store a minimum 14 day supply for each family member
- Figure 1⁄2 ration for drinking and a 1⁄2 ration for food preparation and sanitation.
What type of containers should I use for safe long-term storage?
- Food grade containers labeled, “HDPE” or “2”
- Containers come in a variety of sizes anywhere from 1 gallon to 200 gallons. Sample water barrels.
- Put “HDPE WATER storage containers south jordan utah” in google search bar for local water container sources
- Clear containers should be covered or stored in a dark space to prevent contamination caused by the sun.
- DO NOT store water in glass or metal because of breaking and rust.
- DO NOT store water in milk jugs. They break down and become brittle.
- DO NOT store water in containers which held hazardous chemicals.
How to Clean a Water Barrel for Long-Term Storage
- Start with a clean food-grade plastic barrel or container.
- Make the solution by mixing one teaspoon of calcium hypochlorite or one cup of fresh chlorine bleach to two gallons of water.
- Allow the chlorine to make contact for at least 60 minutes.
- Roll the barrel around, or swish solution in a smaller container for a few minutes several different times during the day
- Drain the chlorine solution from the container and rinse well with clean water.
How do I treat the water for long-term storage?
- You don’t need to do anything to municipal “tap” water before filling your containers. It is already treated and ready for your storage. Be sure to fill your containers full. This keeps their gaskets moist and maintains an airtight seal.
- Alternate water treatment techniques
- Calcium hypochlorite
- Unscented regular bleach (sodium hypochlorite).
- Water Preserver Concentrate.
- Aquamira chlorine dioxide 2 part water treatment bottles.
- H2O ResQ This is a copper-silver ion solution that prevents the growth of biofilms in stored water containers. It will treat water for up to 5 years.
Where do I store my water containers?
- Put your water storage in an area or areas of your house that are cool, dark, and dry.
- Do not store water containers directly on concrete floors.
- Store away from chemicals and gasoline. Plastic is permeable and may leach chemicals into the water from nearby containers.
How often do I need to rotate the water in the containers?
- Check your containers yearly and replace the water as necessary.
- Water can be stored for 5 years or longer without rotation.
How do I purify water that may not be clean or safe to drink (i.e., swimming pool, spa, rain barrels, etc.)?
- Always start with the cleanest water you can find.
- Pre-Filter. Filter water through cloth, cotton, or coffee filters to remove large particles.
- Filter. Put your pre-filtered water through your main filter. Many commercially purchased filters remove chemicals, sediments, microorganisms, and heavy metals. Most filters do not remove viruses. Amazon.com : gravity water filter
- Purification kills any remaining microorganisms in the water. Common methods of purification:
- Boiling. A rolling boil for 3 minutes at Utah’s average elevation will kill all organisms in the water.
- Iodine Tablets. DO NOT use if pregnant, have an allergy to iodine, have a thyroid problem, or for longer than a few weeks.
- Bleach has a one-year shelf life. Only use unscented, uncolored bleach. Add 8 drops of bleach to one gallon of untreated water and let it set for 30 minutes. If it does not have a slight bleach smell, repeat the process with 8 more drops.
- Chlorine Dioxide is iodine and chlorine free. It is significantly stronger than iodine.