DISCLOSURE: DisasterShelters.net is reader supported so if you buy any products featured on this site I may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.
Water is the most critical supply you can store up in preparation for a disaster. According to the rule of threes, you may go up to three weeks without food but only three days without a drink.
The usual rule of thumb for the quantity of water you should keep on hand is one gallon per person each day.
That indicates that a two-week supply of water for a household of four would require a minimum of 60 gallons of water. Keeping it longer than that will, of course, necessitate extra storage.
Given the significance of water in life, having a reliable water source is an essential aspect of preparing for SH
TF. l will cover all you need to know about survivalist water storage and water filtration in this tutorial.
I will go over the fundamental concepts of water storage, as well as the water storage options you should consider and the materials you’ll need for water filtering.
- The Fundamentals of Prepper Water Storage
- Water Storage Options for Preppers
- Options for Prepper Water Filtration
The Fundamentals of Prepper Water Storage and Filtration
Water storage poses a number of challenges: How do you keep your water? How much of it do you keep on hand?
What do you keep it in? How will you ensure that it is safe to consume, even after long periods of storage?
Fortunately, many of these basic issues may be addressed by following a few easy rules.
Keep your water in a cool, dark, and dry location.
The most basic guideline of water storage is to keep it cold, dark, and dry.
This is done to keep bacteria and other microbes from growing in your water. Basements and cool garages can also be used as storage spaces. Nevertheless, if the closet or pantry is large enough, it can suffice.
Water Storage Options for Preppers
Bottled water is the simplest and most apparent addition to your survivalist water supply.
In fact, stocking up on bottled water is likely one of the first steps you should take as a prepper.
Bottled water is included in your prepper water supply because it is inexpensive, it can be purchased at your local grocery store, and it is portable—an important feature if you ever need to bug out.
Just not as long-lasting as some of the recommendations below, FDA-approved, unopened bottled water can last for two years or more.
Given the reduced shelf life, I recommend that you keep note of the expiration dates on your water bottles and use or replace them when the time comes.
It is a great way to keep some bottled water on the side, but you will also want to invest in some alternative water storage methods that permit you to store larger amounts of water for longer periods of time.
Reusable Water Bottles
As previously noted, bottled water has a limited shelf life and can only go you so far in an SHTF situa
tion. As a result, I propose that you additionally buy one or more reusable storage containers designed exclusively for water storage.
Though these goods have a higher initial cost than water bottles, they are more cost-effective in the long term because they do not need to be changed on a frequent basis.
Here are the top recommendations for the finest prepper water containers:
- Water Storage Barrel 55 Gallon
- Barrel for 55 Gallon Water Storage
A 55-gallon drum, which is around the same price as the previous choice, will hold nearly three times as much water as the aforementioned equipment.
Of course, portability is a trade-off. When entirely filled with water, this barrel will weigh over 500 lbs, making transportation a substantial problem.
To readily obtain your water, you will also need to acquire a bung wrench and a siphon pump for this barrel.
Stackable Gallon Water Storage Containers
Stackable Water Containers 5 Gallon
5-gallon containers are possibly the most versatile water storage containers since they are large enough to hold a substantial volume of water while staying reasonably portable.
The aforementioned containers also have the attributes mentioned previously in this article as desired in water storage options: they are composed of thick, food-grade polyethene that shuts out most light, preventing microbial development.
Amazon sells a set that includes four 5-gallon containers, six lids, two spigots, and one bottle of water preserver. You may also purchase four containers without the extras.
JERRYCAN LIFESAVER Jerrycan.
The LIFESAVER jerrycan falls between a portable and a family-sized water filter.
This 6-gallon jug can filter over 6,000 gallons of water during its lifetime, eliminating 95 per cent of germs, viruses, and cysts.
The LIFESAVER jerrycan eliminates chemicals from water as well, albeit the inventor does not specify the percentage.
The LIFESAVER jerrycan’s primary flaw is its price, which is around the same as the Berkey Light.
However, if you appreciate the LIFESAVER’s unusual blend of mobility and mid-range storage capacity, it may be a good choice for you.
Desalination plants
If you live near the seaside, you might be interested in purchasing a desalinator, which is a device that filters the salt out of seawater to make it safe for human consumption.
Desalinators are fantastic because, providing you have access to the ocean and a sufficient number of replacement filters, they can provide you with an almost unlimited supply of water.
If that sounds tempting, we propose the GRAVI-STIL Immediate Survival Distiller and Gravity Filter Combination, which combines high-quality water filtration with desalination capabil
ities. The GRAVI-STIL has a 0.5 Micron Flame Ceramic Water Filter that can remove almost all water pollutants, including microbes, toxic metals, chemicals, ultraviolet, and even salt.
Water Purifiers That Use Chemicals
Finally, there are chemical water filters, which might be an efficient way of eradicating microbes in your water.
Bleach and water purification pills are two of the most notable substances for this purpose.
As per the EPA, water may be disinfected with bleach by adding very little volumes of bleach to your water supply with a clean dropper. Simply put in the desired quantity, stir it in, and let the water stand for 40 minutes.
One thing to keep in mind is that only ordinary, unscented chlorine bleach should be used—other bleach products might be harmful.
I am an independent safety and survival expert and consultant. I have over 15+ years of experience working with corporations and individuals to help identify, remediate and prepare for threats and and disasters. I help clients understand risks and blog about my thoughts and techniques at DisasterShelters.net