Water Storage & Purification

Water Storage

Listen Here: http://youtu.be/0zTP9ezcsz4

When it comes to long-term water storage there are many containers and methods that people use. As long as the water is stored and rotated properly, you will have access to water when you need it. It is important to store the water in a cool, dry, and dark location. This will help prevent any type of bacterial growth from spoiling your water. The water should also be stored away from any chemical or hazardous material, so there is no chance for pollution to occur. Make sure the water is getting checked every 6-12 months. If you are able to just resupply with fresh water at the time you are checking the water, that would be ideal. In some instances, by adding in additional additives, you may be able to further extend the shelf life of the water as well. If you are storing drinking water in plastic jugs yourself, personally I would recommended that you avoid using jugs that have been in contact with any dairy item such as milk, or any jug that held chemicals or cleaners. Instead, use water or tea jugs to store your water to prevent the possibility cross contamination.

If you have enough space you can use 55 gallon drums to store water, though around here we do not have that luxury. If you chose to do this I found  a really good additive that says it will keep the water good for up to 5 years! Click here to view the 5 year water preserver concentrate. You can also purchase smaller amounts of the preserver Here. Another option is purchasing packet's of drinking water. These could be handy for 72 hour packs: Water pouches. Along with my own personal water storage, at least a case or two of these water packs will be added.

A rain water catchment system is a great way to store up water too. The initial investment is low and rainwater, is free ! It’s important though to check your local regulations on collecting rainwater, because in some areas it is not allowed. (ridiculous)  There are many different variations on rainwater catchment systems but HERE you can get plans for the general idea.

Water Purification

Water filtration is a huge priority in the even of a disastrous situation and just like the many types of water storage, there are various ways and tools to filter water. First let’s take a look at some of the many tools that can be used to do this.

One of the things that I think every bug out bag needs is a LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

•  Award-winning LifeStraw has been used by millions around the globe since 2005
• Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria (>LOG 6 reduction) and surpasses EPA standards for water filters
• Removes minimum 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites (>LOG 3 reduction) and filters to an amazing 0.2 microns
• Filters up to 1000 liters of contaminated water WITHOUT iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals
• Comes in a sealed bag, perfect for storing for emergencies

Other affordable options for filtering water include Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets, Guardian FWPF Water Filtration Bottle, Image Survival Water Filter, or good old non-scented bleach! (4 drops per gallon)

No Filtration Tools, No Fear!

If a situation arises in which there are no water filtration tools available, there still are ways to clean water for drinking. One of the first ways is by simply boiling the water either over a cook stove or fire for at least 5 minutes. This will help clear out the contaminants, as they can not survive in the boiling water. Another method is to gather water into a P.E.T. bottle and place in the sun for 6 hours, however if it is cloudy the bottle would have to sit for 12 hours before consumption. (As you probably noticed this version, would not be feasible in a desperate situation)

You can also make your own filter from natural elements. In the article excerpt you will see how this is further explained:

Making a Basic Survival Water Filter From Scratch

The first thing to consider when collecting water is to think about how soon you will need to drink. If you have time, collect standing water in a container and let it sit for a few hours. This will allow anything that floats to rise to the surface, and you can skim off any debris. If you have two containers, try this method for filtering water: Take the first container and fill it with water. Then, put your shirt or some sort of porous layer over the other container. Put your pebbles on top of the cloth and filter your water by pouring it over the stones and into the container. Next, remove the pebbles and put sand, a finer material, on top of the cloth. Filter your water again. Finally, the most effective way to filter is to crush up charcoal, put it on your cloth and let the water run through it. Charcoal filters remove sediment, many contaminants, and improve taste. Charcoal is used in store bought home and backcountry water filters. You can make your own charcoal by making a campfire, covering it with dirt and ash, and allow it to cool completely. Once it has cooled, crush it into small pieces. Pour the water through the charcoal several times. If at all possible, build a contraption that will combine all three filtering steps, letting the water flow from one material to another. This will make the water gradually clearer as you filter it again and again. If you don’t have a manmade container, some natural materials are great alternatives. Bamboo is a prime example. It is hollow in the center and water can flow through it easily. There are many other plants with hollow centers. Use these to your advantage. A hollow log can be a great option. Place the materials (pebbles, sand, cloth and charcoal) in layers through the various parts of the bamboo or log. Remember to think about what materials you are carrying and check out your surroundings in any survival situation. This should provide you with a basic insight on how to create a survival water filter. Realize that it is still possible to get sick, even if you follow the guidelines in this article. Always contact a physician after you drink questionable water. The side effects of pathogens and microorganisms will take at least a week to start affecting you. If you are in a survival situation, keep hydrated and worry about those side effects later.

Sources: When all Hell Breaks Loose Stuff you need to Survive when Disaster Strikes. By: Cody Lundin. Survive. By Les Stroud.