Trending back to the OP, though, the focus is on bug-in as opposed to super portable outdoor use.

For home use, I would start to look at the Berkey line of filters. Anybody used one?

Amen. That is what I use.


The original post was more a general question. Ready.gov's page is geared more for staying at home, but covers both bugging in and bugging out preparation.

I have never used a Berkey filter. Though for home water purification, I plan to rely on inline filters in multiple Reliance Aqua-Tainers I have. That and I keep fresh bleach on hand and drink mixes to offset the flavor.

In 1993, I was fortunate enough to be invited on a cave exploration and mapping expedition in Guizhou province, China. Our food and beverages were prepared by local cooks. I have no idea what the water sources were - perhaps the rice paddies?

Twelve of us were there for thirty days. A certified EMT at the time, I was prepared to handle lots of diarrhea cases. We had no occurrences. AFAIK, our water was treated only by boiling.

Boiling might or might not be all that convenient, but it is effective.

We have a Berkey....WE LOVE IT!!!!! 4.5 gallon model. Absolutely fantastic peace of mind as well.

It is ASTOUNDING what that bugger can filter out!

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/big-berkey-water-filter-system/
After 50 hours of research and independent lab testing of the Berkey’s claims, our test results—and those of another lab we spoke with, and a third whose results are public—were not entirely consistent, which we feel further illustrates the importance of certification to the firm NSF/ANSI standard: It lets people make buying decisions based on a real, dependable apples-to-apples comparison of performance. In addition, because the Berkey system is larger, more expensive, and harder to use than many water filtration options—which also have the benefit of independent NSF/ANSI certification—we wouldn’t recommend it to most people looking for a water filtration solution.

One system that most probably have never heard of is a reverse osmosis system that is made for aquarium use. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043FYJ8M/?tag=aquariumadviser4-20

It runs off of household water pressure rather than a high pressure system. Can generate 50 to 100 gallons per day of RO water. I used to have one when I kept marine reef aquariums. Yes it does require water pressure which may or may not be available. Something to think about though.

This is all very fine, but attention is focused on germs and illness they can cause. Especially in a disruptive event, you may well have to deal with other contaminants - petroleum products, chemicals, etc. from various sources, and all that.

I like to stash water beforehand....

Yeah, if we're talking preparation for the home there's little reason not to keep at least a bit of water on hand. It's so cheap as to be nearly free but priceless when you need need it. It may be impractical for most folks to keep hundreds of gallons but even 20-30 gallons will fit in even a small apartment and could make a big difference during a disaster.

Yup
The math checks out
4 cases of 6 gallons stacked in corner,
like an extra person in the room (or hiding in a closet)


1 rooms 24 gallons
2 rooms 48 gallons
3 rooms 72 gallons

This is very conservative way to add weight to apartments
given the internet wisdom
"Aquariums up to 55 gallons can be placed almost anywhere without much worry at all."

Nice! That would be a pretty good reserve.