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#53699 - 11/13/05 11:12 PM Cheap home water storage
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
So I want to put away about 30 gals for the family.

Should I put it in 5 gal food grade buckets, one 30 gal barrell or can i just put it into empty 2 liter soda bottles.

I'll treat it with bleach for storage and change it every 6 months.

Thoughts?

TRO

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#53700 - 11/13/05 11:34 PM Re: Cheap home water storage
groo Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 11/02/03
Posts: 740
Loc: Florida
I don't have a useful comment on the type of container, but just based on general engineering principles I wouldn't use a single container. Containers fail, water can get contaminated, you could spill it while trying to use it, etc. You've selected a couple of low cost options, so having a spare shouldn't be difficult unless you're extremely short on space.


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#53701 - 11/13/05 11:43 PM Re: Cheap home water storage
wildcard163 Offline


Registered: 09/04/05
Posts: 417
Loc: Illinois
In my case, I'd go with the two liter bottles... they're much more portable, they're easier to stow, and if you want to "donate" to a neighbor, you don't have to hunt up a smaller container.

Troy

P.S. There's also the point that, if one of your containers develops a leak, you've lost two liters, not five or thirty gallons.

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#53702 - 11/13/05 11:47 PM Re: Cheap home water storage
Woodsloafer Offline
Member

Registered: 04/24/05
Posts: 122
Loc: Upstate NewYork
There is an additional problem with a 30 gallon drum; moving it. You have 250 pounds of water, plus the drum weight. Suppose you need to move? That's a XXXX of a lot of weight to manhandle into a vehicle, or up/down stairs.
_________________________
"There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action."

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#53703 - 11/14/05 04:15 AM Re: Cheap home water storage
akabu Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 10/23/02
Posts: 97
Loc: Brooklyn NY
Similar question in another forum ; short answer is go to one of the Super center market's{my area PathMart} you'll find water container's 2.5 gal with carry handle and spigot reqtangular for easy stacking 2 year shelf life Price US $2.95 . But do the bottle's for super easy transport as a back up to your main supply.


Edited by akabu (11/14/05 04:20 AM)

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#53704 - 11/14/05 04:17 AM Re: Cheap home water storage
jshannon Offline
Addict

Registered: 02/02/03
Posts: 647
Loc: North Texas
I would do the 5 gallon containers and keep some empty 2 liter containers for distribution. Otherwise, 60 2-liter containers is too many for me.


Edited by jshannon (11/14/05 04:21 AM)

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#53705 - 11/14/05 04:55 AM Re: Cheap home water storage
Anonymous
Unregistered


I've stored mine the in the 5 gal blue containers. I've had water stored in them for over 4 years now and the water is perfectly fine...yes I did a test.

The main point about water is if the container is clean, and the water is clean, and it is stored cool out of the sun, then from what I understand there is nothing to contaminate...the water will be fine for long term storage..

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#53706 - 11/14/05 06:16 AM Re: Cheap home water storage
paulr Offline
Addict

Registered: 02/18/04
Posts: 496
Those 2.5 gallon containers from the supermarket leak pretty easily especially in hot weather. I've had better luck with the 1 gallon clear bottles. For larger volumes (30 gallons isn't that much) you might look at Aquaflex tanks: www.aquaflex.net . I'm thinking of getting one of the 60 gallon ones and putting it under my bed. Finally, people here seem to like the Reliance 7-gallon Aqua-tainers which are rugged and stackable. At about $10 each the investment for 3 of them is not that large. I don't have any myself but may pick up a couple next time I'm at REI.

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#53707 - 11/14/05 09:21 AM Re: Cheap home water storage
Raspy Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 01/08/04
Posts: 351
Loc: Centre Hall Pa
Actually I would recommend a combination of different sized containers rather than just one type. This gives you more flexibility to allow for any need to rapidly changing situations.
A 30 Gallon is good for single storage at a fixed location. You can add more to increase capacity of the entire system. Yes at 250 plus pounds each.
5 or 2 gallon containers would work well if you have to evacuate using a vehicle at 38 to 15 pounds apiece. But quickly moved.
But if you have to grab and go on foot The 2 liter bottles are best Each person can grab 1 or 2. Much more and you won't carry it very far.
_________________________
When in danger or in doubt
run in circles scream and shout
RAH

And always remember TANSTAAFL

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#53708 - 11/14/05 04:58 PM Re: Cheap home water storage
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
Thanks for all your insights.

to clarify: No, I wouldn't even try to more a 30 gal barrel, it'd be for shelter in place.

I wonder if any leftover soda in the 2 liters would contaminate the water?

The idea of many containers -- redundant backups -- is a good one.

Teacher RO

PS My planning is as follows: 1 gal per person/per day ( plus a gallon a day for pets!) for a minimun of five days.

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