Water Storage Information

I know this month is dedicated to 72 hour kits, but I just want to put this on since it is fresh in my mind and so in case my emergency preparedness binder gets lost or damaged, I have this information.

Water Storage

• MINIMUM: 1 gallon per person per day is the minimum recommended amount of water to have on hand. The Red Cross urges people to have at the very minimum a 72 hour supply of water stored.
• IDEAL: 2 gallons per person per day is highly recommended to ensure that there is adequate water for first aid and hygiene purposes. A 14 day supply of water is recommended for storage.

To determine the amount of water you need to store, fill in the following blanks:

1 gallon X ___ people X ____ days = ____gallons

2 gallons X ____people X ____ days = ____gallons

WATER BARREL STORAGE FILLING AND CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Rinse barrel thoroughly inside and out before filling. Take the barrel to the location you will be storing it. Once the barrel is filled, it is difficult to move by hand.
2. Store barrels in garage if possible or out of direct sunlight. If it is stored outside, place it in the coolest and shadiest part of your home.
3. Place barrels on 2 X 4's before filling to keep off concrete and prevent wearing as concrete expands and contracts slowly eroding the plastic barrel over time. If stored in a garage, try to keep them on the opposite side of your car's exhaust pipe so the fumes do not penetrate into the water.
4. Unscrew one bung on the top of the barrel.
5. Add 1 teaspoon of plain Clorox bleach per 10 gallons of water. (1 1/2 Tablespoons for a 55 gallon drum) Be sure that the label on the bleach states that sodium hypochlorite is the only active ingredient. Bleach containing soap or fragrances is not safe.
6. Fill the barrel with a clean hose (wipe it off first) and hold the hose above the barrel. Do not insert the hose in the barrel unless you are right there watching it to avoid contamination when the water level reaches the hose.
7. Allow the water to flow to the top and out the opening.
8. Replace the bung and tighten with bung wrench. Tighten the 2nd bung.
9. Place a heavy duty plastic bag around the bungs. Secure with a rubber band. This is to prevent dirt from collecting in and around the bung which may contaminate the water when it is opened later on.
10. Mark the date the barrel was filled with a label and a permanent marker. Place it on top.

NOTE: The water must be replaced every 6 months to ensure the quality of the water. Should the water be stored for a longer length of time than the 6 months, it is recommended that the water be boiled before using. This is a good idea even if using within 6 months.

6 MONTH CLEANING AND REFILLING

1. Drain the water from the barrel making sure not to drain into a planted area. The chlorine content may damage growing plants or grass. Recommend using a siphon, or a small garden hose set aside especially for this purpose.
2. Once emptied, place 1 cup of bleach in the barrel and fill 1/4 of the way with water. Close the bung tightly and turn the barrel on it's side. Roll it back and forth.
3. Turn the barrel upside down to allow the solution to clean the top of the inside of the barrel. Let is sit upside down for 10-15 minutes.
4. Drain the barrel making sure not to drain into a planted area. Rinse several times.
5. Refill according to the directions above.
6. Mark new date.
7. Recover bungs with new ziploc bags.

NOTE: If you live in a hard winter area, check with local authorities/officials for the water level as it will freeze solid during the winter and you don't want your barrel to burst.