Storing in plastic containers
The primary factor to be looking for when storing water is to verify that the container is a food grade container.
Be aware that there are several different grades of food grade plastics. To tell which grade plastic you have simply look for the recycling symbol on the container. The number will be with a 1, 2, 4, & 5. #2 being the best.
- #1 PET/PETE Polyethylene Terephthalate
- #2 High-density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- #4 LDPE Low-Density Polyethylene
- #5 Polypropylene
- Note: Some food grade containers will have a #7, but unless you know it was meant for food do not trust it.
Be careful which containers you reuse for water storage, milk and juice containers may be difficult to get all of the contents out of the container especially for milk and juice and could cause problems for the long term. I have personally stored water in soda pop bottles and have not had a problem. I drank the water after six years in a plastic soda pop bottle and stored in my basement in a black plastic garbage bag. I store all of my water in a dark cool place where sunlight never reaches it.
Note: If you are collecting water from an asphalt shingle roof, you should collect some water, run it through a water filter and have it tested. Certain roofs man contain chemicals or bird feces, so make sure you are keeping your family safe.
For startup prepping it is easier for most people to start with a small stackable container like the one listed below.
Storing In Glass Containers
Glass was the choice of containers back when I was a kid. Everything was purchased is glass containers. I don’t see anything wrong with storing in glass as far as contamination. The major downfall is that it has a high risk of breaking, especially when full. So if you had to bug out, glass is not the ideal choice for storage. If you had a lot of spare jars, I would say use them in your fallout shelter or bug out location.
Storing In Metal Containers
There is only one metal container that I would recommend for long term water storage and that is stainless steel. If you were to store large amounts of water in a bug out location or in a fallout shelter, stainless steel is costly, but it seems it would be the the most durable and long lasting solution for water storage.
Allentian Stainless Steel Water Can 5 Gallon 20 L Portable-Drinking Water Storage for Camping
Preserving Your Water For Long Term Storage
The quickest and easiest way to preserve water is right now while the water is still running. Tap water is already treated and ready to drink. Get your barrels and fill them, seal them and and you are good for at least six months. This depends on the storage location. Is there light making contact with the containers? The biggest threat to water is the sunlight causing growth and contaminating the water. I usually make it a point to switch out the water every six months just to be safe, but the water I switch out does not seen to be contaminated at that time. So if I don’t get the chance to drain and refill my tanks, I would just run it through a filter. As mentioned earlier, my water never sees sunlight.
Use bottled water or water you have properly prepared and stored as an emergency water supply. If you have water that is clean and has never been treated, you may need to treat it yourself.
- − Boil water, if you do not have bottled water. Boiling is sufficient to kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa (WHO, 2015).
- − If water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter.
- − Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. At altitudes above 5,000 feet (1,000 meters), boil water for three minutes.
- − Let water cool naturally and store it in clean containers with covers.
- − To improve the flat taste of boiled water, add one pinch of salt to each quart or liter of water, or pour the water from one clean container to another several times.
- − Disinfect water using household bleach, if you can’t boil water. Only use regular, unscented chlorine bleach products that are suitable for disinfection and sanitation as indicated on the label. Do not use scented, color safe, or bleaches with added cleaners.
- − If water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter.
- − Locate a clean dropper from your medicine cabinet or emergency supply kit.
- − Locate a fresh liquid chlorine bleach or liquid chlorine bleach that is stored at room temperatures for less than one year. The label should say that it contains 8.25% of sodium hypochlorite.
- − Use the table on the next page as a guide to decide the amount of bleach you should add to the water, for example, add 6 drops of bleach to each gallon of water. Double the amount of bleach if the water is cloudy, colored, or very cold.
- − Stir and let stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor. If it doesn’t, repeat the dosage and let stand for another 15 minutes before use.
- − If the chlorine taste is too strong, pour the water from one clean container to another and let it stand for a few hours before use.
Granular Calcium Hypochlorite (Powdered Pool Shock)
The first step is to make a chlorine solution that you will use to disinfect your water. For your safety, do it in a ventilated area and wear eye protection. Add one heaping teaspoon (approximately ¼ ounce) of high-test granular calcium hypochlorite (HTH) to two gallons of water and stir until the particles have dissolved. The mixture will produce a chlorine solution of approximately 500 milligrams per liter.
To disinfect water, add one part of the chlorine solution to each 100 parts of water you are treating. This is about the same as adding 1 pint (16 ounces) of the chlorine solution to 12.5 gallons of water. If the chlorine taste is too strong, pour the water from one clean container to another and let it stand for a few hours before use.
CAUTION: HTH is a very powerful oxidant.
Follow the instructions on the label for safe handling and storage of this chemical.
Disclaimer: If you over treat the water and become sick from the chlorine, we are not responsible. These treatment measurements have worked for us, but we do not guarantee your results. We recommend buying some test strips or having your water tested when trying this method. Contact your local pet shop or pool store.
Look for other sources of water in and around your home
Although bottled water is your best choice, you may be able to find other sources of water by melting ice cubes or draining your hot water tank or pipes. You should not use water from toilet flush tanks or bowls, radiators, waterbeds, swimming pools, or spas.
Storage Areas
As mentioned above, one of the most important steps pertaining to water storage is the place it will be stored. I previously mentioned that my water is never exposed to sunlight. The light will cause growth of micro organisms in the water and contamination begins. Other things to consider are the hazards of the area the water is stored. If there is an earthquake, is the containers likely to be damaged? In case of a fire will the water containers be destroyed?
Conclusion
The final tip about water storage and purification is the amount of water being stored. Will the floor sustain the weight of the water being stored? Will there be a sufficient amount of water for everyone in the shelter area to include hygiene use and cleaning cookware? Storing water barrels outside become a problem if you can’t access them and they can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. These are all important factors to consider when storing water for a long term emergency or natural disaster.