Should I be buying water?

[Tom Brands]

I'm thinking about what would happen if the pipes burst in my house. If I can't get some kind of access to a lake or river, it would be nice to have a decent amount stocked up. How many gallons do you guys recommend?

 

[Brent S]

I'm thinking about what would happen if the pipes burst in my house. If I can't get some kind of access to a lake or river, it would be nice to have a decent amount stocked up. How many gallons do you guys recommend?

Ok, everyone here thinks your a troll. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here. Get a couple water filters.

 

[Maverick]

As much as you think you will need plus filters.

A question though, your amateur call sign is a 1x1 call sign, so what follows the x ?

 

[user 6493]

I'm thinking about what would happen if the pipes burst in my house. If I can't get some kind of access to a lake or river, it would be nice to have a decent amount stocked up. How many gallons do you guys recommend?

I will go out on a limb with you here,,,,,if you have a well,you will always have good drinking water,,even after a nuclear war,,all you need is a hand pump

 

[Brent S]

I will go out on a limb with you here,,,,,if you have a well,you will always have good drinking water,,even after a nuclear war,,all you need is a hand pump

Good point. I currently have two creeks on the property here. I hope to add a well here sometime in the next year. I don't think you can ever have too many options on water.

 

[user 6493]

Good point. I currently have two creeks on the property here. I hope to add a well here sometime in the next year. I don't think you can ever have too many options on water.

I have a real nice creek here behind the house,it is always running,but I understand that a few people are letting their waste water flow into it,,,,,,,,,,,,Brent know your water source before you use it

 

[lonewolf]

1 gallon per person per day, for as long as you think the emergency will last or until you can get access to another fresh water supply, in which case you will need water filters too.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I'm thinking about what would happen if the pipes burst in my house. If I can't get some kind of access to a lake or river, it would be nice to have a decent amount stocked up. How many gallons do you guys recommend?

Can you put a well in where you live? You always have some water in your water heater tank that can be drained. You can capture rain water from your roof too. I think a couple of water filters would be a good option. I personally don't store water, except for a few bottles in our vehicles, I have a deep well, springs, creeks and a large pond on the property.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I'm thinking about what would happen if the pipes burst in my house. If I can't get some kind of access to a lake or river, it would be nice to have a decent amount stocked up. How many gallons do you guys recommend?

If you live in Minnesota your never very far from water.

 

[Brent S]

I have a real nice creek here behind the house,it is always running,but I understand that a few people are letting their waste water flow into it,,,,,,,,,,,,Brent know your water source before you use it

My theory on it is boil any surface water. Period. After boiling, filtering is a good idea too.

 

[Brent S]

Can you put a well in where you live? You always have some water in your water heater tank that can be drained. You can capture rain water from your roof too. I think a couple of water filters would be a good option. I personally don't store water, except for a few bottles in our vehicles, I have a deep well, springs, creeks and a large pond on the property.

I do keep some water on hand. Mostly it is for when I wake up and find a broken pipe, frozen line, or some issue where the tap isn't flowing. This way I can make a pot of coffee and brush my teeth before I go fix the issue. Flushing the toilet is a nice thing too

 

[Mountain trapper]

I do keep some water on hand. Mostly it is for when I wake up and find a broken pipe, frozen line, or some issue where the tap isn't flowing. This way I can make a pot of coffee and brush my teeth before I go fix the issue. Flushing the toilet is a nice thing too

Good point. I spent most of this winter with frozen pipes. Last summer I put in a frost-free hydrant just outside my trailer. I did keep a few gallons of water on hand for flushing and doing dishes etc.

 

[user 6493]

My theory on it is boil any surface water. Period. After boiling, filtering is a good idea too.

well boiling will kill just about anything in the water,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but with the knowing there is waste water in my creek I will never use it for drinking water and there are fish in that creek and I don't think I will be eating them anytime soon,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[jimLE]

so feed the fish to the ones,tht dumping the waste water into the creek..LOL

 

[lonewolf]

if you want to live more than 3 days after the mains supply goes off i'd definitely buy some water if I was you!

 

[jimLE]

buying a few 1 gallon jugs of water is something i need to do..

 

[Maverick]

well boiling will kill just about anything in the water,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but with the knowing there is waste water in my creek I will never use it for drinking water and there are fish in that creek and I don't think I will be eating them anytime soon,,,,,,,,,,,,

Providing it doesn't contain chemicals, one doesn't have to boil water, all that's needed is bring it to a boil then remove from heat.

 

[Brent S]

Providing it doesn't contain chemicals, one doesn't have to boil water, all that's needed is bring it to a boil then remove from heat.

Good point. Boiling won't remove chemicals, just kills bacteria. A good charcoal filter after boiling is wise on any unknown water source. I'm not an expert on any of this stuff, but was under the impression to boil water for three minutes to be completely safe.

 

[Maverick]

but was under the impression to boil water for three minutes to be completely safe.

In general that's a myth and a waste of fuel and water, though if both are plenty (fuel and water) if one feels better then boil it for a period of time but if you're limited on either or both fuel/water it's not necessary.

 

[Skeeter]

I would suggest having a good way to collect rain water. This way you can avoid many of the pitfalls that go along with collecting ground water.

 

[Brent S]

In general that's a myth and a waste of fuel and water, though if both are plenty (fuel and water) if one feels better then boil it for a period of time but if you're limited on either or both fuel/water it's not necessary.

I did some reading on steralizing water, and you sir, are correct. By the time the water makes it to a boil, it's allready killed everything. I have no idea where that three minute thing came from. Good to know.

 

[Brent S]

I would suggest having a good way to collect rain water. This way you can avoid many of the pitfalls that go along with collecting ground water.

I think with something as important as water that we should have a way to make a mud puddle drinkable, just in case. You can't have too many options on something that is so important that you die in three days without it.

 

[Gazrok]

Something to note, even stored water can go bad. It's about how it reacts to the plastic container. After about 6 months or so, it will taste kind of funny. Storing water isn't the solution, especially bottled. You are better off with a water catchment system (if it rains there), or with large water barrels that you empty and refill every few months. There is even a huge tub bag you can get, to hold many gallons, that you could fill if you know an emergency event is coming (like a storm, etc.).

 

[Maverick]

Something to note, even stored water can go bad. It's about how it reacts to the plastic container. After about 6 months or so, it will taste kind of funny. Storing water isn't the solution, especially bottled. You are better off with a water catchment system (if it rains there), or with large water barrels that you empty and refill every few months. There is even a huge tub bag you can get, to hold many gallons, that you could fill if you know an emergency event is coming (like a storm, etc.).

Water will store 5 years with one time treatment in the blue 55gal brrls. The water has been fine after tapping one of the barrels a little over 4 years of storage, we just aerated the water. I never had any issues with the 55gal as a long term water storage.

 

[Brent S]

Something to note, even stored water can go bad. It's about how it reacts to the plastic container. After about 6 months or so, it will taste kind of funny. Storing water isn't the solution, especially bottled. You are better off with a water catchment system (if it rains there), or with large water barrels that you empty and refill every few months. There is even a huge tub bag you can get, to hold many gallons, that you could fill if you know an emergency event is coming (like a storm, etc.).

I agree storage isn't the answer. Not saying that storing some for quick use isn't wise, but I think having some supply options is really important. Then filtering options are needed too. I hope everyone noticed the plural in both of these sentences. Water is too important. I honestly think that this is where all prepping should begin.

 

[Brent S]

I agree storage isn't the answer. Not saying that storing some for quick use isn't wise, but I think having some supply options is really important. Then filtering options are needed too. I hope everyone noticed the plural in both of these sentences. Water is too important. I honestly think that this is where all prepping should begin.

One note here, yes you can store water if it's in food grade containers. The problem is its heavy and if something happens to your container, your back to square one.

 

[Gazrok]

Water will store 5 years with one time treatment in the blue 55gal brrls. The water has been fine after tapping one of the barrels a little over 4 years of storage, we just aerated the water. I never had any issues with the 55gal as a long term water storage.

Yes, but I mean more about storing the store bought bottled water, or even the milk jug water. They use thin plastic that isn't made for long term storage. I too use the 55 gallon ones at home, but I still have trust issues, so I empty and refill them periodically...no harm, no foul.

Going off Brent's mud puddle comment....they do make great filter straws, that everyone should definitely have handy. I mean, it's a cheap way to always have the ONE substance you need to survive, close at hand.

 

[Brent S]

Yes, but I mean more about storing the store bought bottled water, or even the milk jug water. They use thin plastic that isn't made for long term storage. I too use the 55 gallon ones at home, but I still have trust issues, so I empty and refill them periodically...no harm, no foul.

Going off Brent's mud puddle comment....they do make great filter straws, that everyone should definitely have handy. I mean, it's a cheap way to always have the ONE substance you need to survive, close at hand.

I agree that I am a little suspect of the plastics leaching things into the water. Stainless and glass are good alternatives, but pricey.
As far as using a life straw, or any other filter on muddy water goes, always filter it with something to prolong the life of your filter. A tee shirt folded into several layers is better than nothing. Sand in a soda bottle is a pretty effective pre filter. I'm not selling anything here, but after researching, and trying different filters out, my favorite is the Berkey with the ceramic filters. It's effective, lightweight and will filter a lot of water.

 

[WGregMiller]

I've taken to hiking a lot. So, in the summer, if I drink up everything in my camelback, I carry a life straw. I've also taken to hanging a shemagh around my neck to shade it a bit and I've used it as something of a pre filter.

 

[Maverick]

I agree stainless steel and glass are best. Keep in mind plastic will leach chemicals from the ground if the container sets directly on the ground especially concrete though if temps are below 77 than the plastic won't react to the heat and safe to store on the ground including concrete, not an issue here but can be an issue in the South, but if the the plastic containers (blue BPA free) are set in a dry cool place off the ground with no direct sun light then the plastic are safe. Most plastic pop bottles and milk jugs are totally safe for a limited time but will easily last 6 months except for the milk jugs, milk jugs will last 90 days if kept refrigerated, I personally would refrain from using milk jugs.

Also keep in mind, most canned goods are lined on the inside that also leaches if above 77deg F So while the focus have been placed on plastic water containers/bottles for some reason canned goods are ignored.

Also here's a link to other information regarding plastics; The Murky Truth About Leaching Plastic Bottles
http://www.livescience.com/5487-murky-truth-leaching-plastic-bottles.html