Water Storage

The first part of the water issue is storage.

The first determination we need to make is this: How much water to store?

Unlike food, which is consumed at a more or less constant rate, water usage varies. In addition to drinking water, you will also use water for cooking, personal hygiene, washing clothes and dishes, toilet flushing, and the like.

Let's start with considering one's consumption needs first. This figure is variable. In both very hot weather and very cold weather, a person's nominal water needs increase. Water usage increases when one is injured, ill, under stress, or performing manual labor. Additionally, not all food is "water neutral", meaning that some foods require water intake for digestion.

I recommend over-estimating water consumption needs, for this reason. Let's assume 2 gallons of water, per person, per day. For a 30-day supply (our basic goal), this means 240 gallons for a family of four. Obviously, finding space to store this much water is a challenge.

As for the type of storage, there are a few budget options:

1) Grocery store water jugs- water sold in jugs at the grocery store is intended for immediate consumption. The water is not chemically shelf-stabilized, and the containers are intended for short-term storage. However, the shelf life can be increased dramatically by storing jugs away from heaters or windows, and out of direct sunlight. Also, consider wrapping the jugs in black plastic trash bags. These measures will limit the degradation of the plastic container from heat and light.

2) Buying and filling your own containers: This is an option, if you have access to a supply of cheap containers. If you choose this option, consider purchasing a chemical water stabilizer product such as PUROGENE. One 4-oz bottle will stabilize up to 120 gallons of water.

3) Buying a large water barrel: This is an option if you can afford the cost of the barrels, and if you have a place to store them (such as a basement). Also, water (once stabilized, see above) can be stored longer in these purpose-built containers. The only downside is weight: a 55-gallon drum of water weighs in excess of 400 pounds. Moving this requires a hand truck and decent physical condition. Also, you will need a hand pump for extracting the water, and smaller containers for carrying the water. If you choose this option, you should still have several smaller containers of water for immediate use.

AVOID buying pre-packaged "emergency" water. It is simply too expensive for the small amount of water you get.