The Facts About Water Storage
There are some who think that storing your water on cement is a no-no
. However, it is only cement that gets heated that can leach chemicals.
If you have a basement cold storage area, the cement in that room is sufficient. Many people are also leery of storing water because it tastes bad.
The fact of this is because stored water loses oxygen and can taste much better when you pour it back and forth between two containers a few times before drinking.
Your pool is NOT a good source of stored water. You are presuming that no animal waste, nuclear waste, or other biological poisoning will enter the pool water.
Having iodine tablets and a local source of water like a stream or river is not a safe bet. Everyone else may know of that water source as well.
You're assuming that your iodine tablets will take care of whatever is in the outdoor water, regardless of what it's been exposed to. (See previous myth/fact example) If you have water stored in quality containers in your home, you can save your physical energy for other more important tasks, and you will ensure that your water supply is protected and is YOURS.
You do not need to use precious fuel to boil your water to make it safe for drinking. Getting your water to a heat of 160 degrees for 30 minutes will kill all pathogens, and 185 degrees at for only 3 minutes. This is true even at a high altitude.
You need more than two weeks is only enough to get you from one point to another. Long-term survival will require a year's supply of water.
The magnitude of a disaster which would create a long-term water shortage, would also require 3.5 years of repairs in order for you to have the kind of water access you are accustomed to now. So really, a one year supply of water is still a minimalistic "get-us-through-until-we-can-find-a-good-well-or-other-water-supply" kind of storage.
The recommended amount of one gallon per person, per day is not just for drinking. It's for bathing because hygiene is critical, sanitation, medical, cooking, and cleaning.
Next time you think one gallon of water a day sounds like a lot, measure how much water you put in the pot when you boil water, wash your dishes, or wash your clothes. It's a LOT more than you think.
You can go several days without food. You cannot live without water for longer than ONE day without seriously beginning to tax your body.
It only goes downhill from there. Without water, your muscles lose their elasticity, your organs shut down, and your senses are dulled. None of these are situations you want to occur during an emergency.
Some people also think that if they have sports drinks stored that they don't need water. Liquid intake is not the same as water intake.
The moment you add anything to your water, your body no longer takes it in as water. It has to process it, filter it, and THEN use what water is left in the liquid before it benefits from it.
Storing your water in 2 liter bottles, old milk jugs and juice bottles is better than nothing. But if it's water than you intend on saving your life, I would definitely consider more sturdy and durable containers.
Even the water that is sold in the stores is insufficiently packaged for long-term storage in most cases. The plastic is too vulnerable for rugged use and access. It is not advised to store drinking water in used containers.
And whatever you do, stop storing water in the old milk jugs. Those are the WORST in terms of chemical leaking and plastic breakdown.
Even if you have ten 55 gallon drums full of water, you may want to consider also having some water that's more portable as well. It will make your life physically easier in surviving a long-term emergency situation.
And by all means, make sure you've got the hardware necessary to get your water out of those big drums such as a hand pump, wrench, etc.
by: Jack Landry
Building A Storage Shed: Information Along with Guidelines Benefits of Using Daffodil Storage Units in Tacoma Backyard Storage Sheds-Do I Need A Permit For A Shed? What You Must Know About Lockable Storage Boxes Backyard Storage Sheds-Pick The Right Company To Build Your Shed Great Storage Facilities Offer More Than Just Storage What You Must Know About Small Storage Boxes Why Flip Lid Plastic Storage Boxes Are Your Best Option Cost To Build A Storage Shed ? - Check it Out ! How To Build Your Own Storage Shed - Start Right Now ! To More About HDD media player As a Storage Device The Variety of Uses of the Plastic Storage Bins Aluminium Carrying Case And Cd Storage Case Both Prevent Damage