It’s a smart thing to do. Water barrel storage. It is practical, reasonable preparedness.
Today I filled up and treated another 55 gallon water barrel for long term storage. Why? For emergency drinking water (or any other necessary water use).
There are many size water containers for storage. Various designs. Some, clever (stack-ability). I am writing this post today, clarifying how I sanitize them first and treat the water afterwards. Also to show you a unique stackable container (bottom of post).
I will let you know how I clean my 55 gallon drum for water storage.
A backup emergency supply of water! It’s one of my highest recommendations for general preparedness.
Here’s what I did:
I have several food grade barrels that originally stored some kind of food (I believe it was olives). Later they were repurposed for rainwater collection – which is how I bought them. Instead, I am using them for emergency water storage. My home relies on well water. Actually it’s pumped up from a natural spring via a ‘dug well’. In the event that my well pump goes bad, I will have some water on hand to use in the house.
The repair could take awhile. So, better safe than sorry, right? Also, it’s just good preparedness in general. We cannot survive very long without any water!
I am fortunate in that my water source is from a natural spring here on the property. It produces about 7 – 10 gallons per minute, year-round. If I needed to, I could always walk down there (to the spring) and collect water in a container via the spring’s overflow spout. Then haul it back to the house to keep my 55 gallon drums filled. Note, that would be a major chore – given that water weighs 8 pounds per gallon and the source is about 600 feet from the house! Yard cart? Better yet, my ATV towing its utility trailer (grin).
Hot water is definitely a luxury that you miss when you actually have to go without. As someone that did without running hot water for about 5 years while doing this homestead thing and building a house, I can say I was overjoyed when that electric hot water heater started providing the good stuff on demand.
When dealing with an off grid situation, hot water can seem like a big challenge. Now more than ever there are an array of off grid hot water heater options to choose from.
This is great news because an electric hot water heater is not feasible off grid. The heating element burns far too much electricity.
Mac Slavo
May 17th, 2021
SHTFplan.com
Comments (7)
Anyone who has been to the grocery store lately has likely noticed the spike in food prices. But most are warning that because this is a hyperinflation situation, we should be expecting the prices of food and other necessities to continue to go up.
According to a report by Yahoo News, food price inflation, on a 12-month unadjusted basis, is running at 2.4% and was up 0.4% in April, the largest increase since October 2020. Overall inflation is running at 4.2% the largest 12-month increase since a 4.9% increase for the period ending September 2008. Even that’s likely a dramatic understatement based on the fact that most report an over 20% rise in food costs.