View Full Version : Anyone know about water additives for storage?
Hi,
I got a 55gallon blue barrel and I was just going to fill it with tap water and I'm very unclear on how to treat the water while it's in storage and whether or not I need to boil the water or filter it if I have to pump it out and use it.
Any general guidelines on this?
thanks
ChunkyMonkey
05-08-2012, 17:09
water is water.. put some chlorine or tap water is fine. I have a year old tap water in 375 tank.. taste the same.
I know a little.
If it's good out of the tap it'll be fine in the barrel. Keep the lid on and out of the sun.
It may go stale but it will be completely drinking safe.
I need to put my water class on youtube.
ChunkyMonkey
05-08-2012, 19:21
I need to put my water class on youtube.
Please do!
As far as taste.. the difference is so minuscule. It's like distilled water.
Heuristic
05-08-2012, 19:35
Funny...I just changed out my (10) 6 gal water jugs Sunday.
After 1-1/2 years, they had a slight plastic smell but the taste was the same.
cool. I've been hesitant to fill my barrel. But here I go...
hollohas
05-09-2012, 12:04
Info above is good.
A little good info here:
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/water.shtm
They mention adding a little regular bleach if you are using well water.
And a little more detail on using bleach and storing water here:
http://www.lds.org/family/family-well-being/home-storage/drinking-water-guidelines?lang=eng
some of the info on the lds link is wrong.
hollohas
05-09-2012, 13:36
some of the info on the lds link is wrong.
Please elaborate.
SA Friday
05-09-2012, 13:42
some of the info on the lds link is wrong.
Can you elaborate?
on my phone I can't. expect a large reply tonight. also can't load fema link
hollohas
05-09-2012, 13:58
10-4 Wulf, thanks.
I don't know about you, but my water in Broomfield leaves a pretty good bit of sediment residue on my faucets and shower heads. It looks like calcium or lime deposits or something. Kind of a white/green tint to it. I drink water from a filter in my fridge, but rarely from the tap. The times I have, it tastes fine, but I figure I'll still pre-filter the stuff I fill my storage containers with. Unless of course I'm filling them in a hurry.
Colorado Osprey
05-09-2012, 16:41
The white is calcium and the green tint is copper. You can get your water tested to determine your exact minerals so you can counter the effects.
FEMA states that stored water should only be kept for 6 months before changing out unless it was commercially made as they use different ways to make shelf life longer.
Some stored water will get a sulfur smell in less than 2 months. This is from hydrogen sulfide/sulfates. Well water from either shallow or deep wells can contain the sulfur.(primarily found in shale and sandstone deposits--like most of Colorado) If you are using a municipal water supply there is chlorine added that will reduce this. Well water will need to be chlorinated before storage. 1 to 2 drops per gallon is sufficient. Don't forget that containers need to be food grade and sanitized as well.
Potential Side Effects from Sulfer/Sulfate:
Sulfate
Sulfate may have a laxative effect that can lead to dehydration and is of special concern for infants. With time, people and young livestock will become acclimated to the sulfate and the symptoms disappear. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria pose no known human health risk. The Maximum contaminate level is 250 mg/L.
FEMA
How Should I Store Water?
To prepare safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is recommended you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it.
Observe the expiration or “use by” date.
There is no expiration of commercially available bottled water.
If You are Preparing Your Own Containers of Water
It is recommended you purchase food-grade water storage containers from surplus or camping supplies stores to use for water storage. Before filling with water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap. Follow directions below on filling the container with water.
If you choose to use your own storage containers, choose two-liter plastic soft drink bottles – not plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk or fruit juice in them. Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be adequately removed from these containers and provide an environment for bacterial growth when water is stored in them. Cardboard containers also leak easily and are not designed for long-term storage of liquids. Also, do not use glass containers, because they can break and are heavy.
If storing water in plastic soda bottles, follow these steps
Thoroughly clean the bottles with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap.Sanitize the bottles by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water. Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it touches all surfaces. After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing solution with clean water.DO NOT BUY USED CONTAINERS, you don't know what they've been used with. Use glass if you want to deal with the down sides. You don't need to rinse out the sanitizer.
Filling Water Containers
Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water. If the tap water has been commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine, you do not need to add anything else to the water to keep it clean. If the water you are using comes from a well or water source that is not treated with chlorine, add two drops of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to the water.Tightly close the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap by touching the inside of it with your finger. Place a date on the outside of the container so that you know when you filled it. Store in a cool, dark place.Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled water.
You can skip the chlorine step if you don't dump out the sanitizer. If you get water from ANY water treatment facility it's gonna be fine. You do not need to change out the water ever.
LDS much better than FEMA, not that I'm surprised
Water Storage
Commercially bottled water in PETE (or PET) plastic containers may be purchased. Follow the container’s “best if used by” dates as a rotation guideline. Avoid plastic containers that are not PETE plastic.
If you choose to package water yourself, consider the following guidelines:
Containers
Use only food-grade containers. Smaller containers made of PETE plastic or heavier plastic buckets or drums work well.
Clean, sanitize, and thoroughly rinse all containers prior to use. A sanitizing solution can be prepared by adding 5 ml (1 teaspoon) of liquid household chlorine bleach (5 to 6% sodium hypochlorite) to 1 liter (one quart) of water. Only household bleach without thickeners, scents, or additives should be used.Look at the bottom of your containers for the triangle with a number in it. Do not reuse #3 or #6 bottles. The old Nalgalene bottles are actually #3. The bleach warnings are correct, and should have been explained in the FEMA one.
Do not use plastic milk jugs, because they do not seal well and tend to become brittle over time.
Do not use containers previously used to store non-food products.
Water Pretreatment
Water from a chlorinated municipal water supply does not need further treatment when stored in clean, food-grade containers.
Non-chlorinated water should be treated with bleach. Add 8 drops of liquid household chlorine bleach (5 to 6% sodium hypochlorite) for every 4 liters (one gallon) of water. Only household bleach without thickeners, scents, or additives should be used.
StorageDo not reuse any containers that have had oils fats or milk products in them. Bleaching not necessary for treated water, especially if you leave the sanitizing solution in the bottle you already complete this step.
Containers should be emptied and refilled regularly.
Store water only where potential leakage would not damage your home or apartment.
Protect stored water from light and heat. Some containers may also require protection from freezing.
The taste of stored water can be improved by pouring it back and forth between two containers before use.
Water Purification
If your water supply is not known to be safe or has become polluted, it should be purified before use. Water purification is generally a two-step process.
Once it's been set up you can leave the water as is. The "taste" is water going flat you can aerate the water in plenty of ways, pouring it back and forth a few times does not much for flat water.
Step 1: Clarify
Cloudy or dirty water must first be made clear. It should be passed through filter paper, fine cloth, or some other filter. It should be allowed to settle, and then the clear water on top can be carefully drawn. Filtered or clear settled water should always be disinfected before use.
Not a must.
Step 2: Disinfect
Boiling Method
Bringing water to a rolling boil for 3 to 5 minutes will kill most water-borne microorganisms. However, prolonged boiling of small quantities of water may concentrate toxic contaminants if present.
Bleach Method
Adding 8 drops of fresh liquid household chlorine bleach (5 to 6% sodium hypochlorite) to every 4 liters (one gallon) of water will kill most microorganisms. Only household bleach without thickeners, scents, or additives should be used. The use of bleach does not address toxic contamination.
Commercial Water Filters
Commercial water filters can effectively filter and purify water contaminated with microorganisms, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals. Their effectiveness depends on design, condition, and proper use.Boiling water for ANY amount of time will kill microorganisms, in fact boiling is a waste of fuel, you only need to get it to 165 degrees. EDIT : for immediate consumption or short term storage.
You can make your own bleach with calcium hypochlorite powder and substitute with the store bought bleach.
There's alot more treatment methods, you need to be educated as to what the risks are with the original water.
How long is the water with Chlorine good for? Mine is a couple of years old. May be time to drain and refill.
Great-Kazoo
06-25-2012, 18:21
LDS much better than FEMA, not that I'm surprised
Look at the bottom of your containers for the triangle with a number in it. Do not reuse #3 or #6 bottles. The old Nalgalene bottles are actually #3. The bleach warnings are correct, and should have been explained in the FEMA one.
Do not reuse any containers that have had oils fats or milk products in them. Bleaching not necessary for treated water, especially if you leave the sanitizing solution in the bottle you already complete this step.
Once it's been set up you can leave the water as is. The "taste" is water going flat you can aerate the water in plenty of ways, pouring it back and forth a few times does not much for flat water.
Not a must.
Boiling water for ANY amount of time will kill microorganisms, in fact boiling is a waste of fuel, you only need to get it to 165 degrees. EDIT : for immediate consumption or short term storage.
You can make your own bleach with calcium hypochlorite powder and substitute with the store bought bleach.
There's alot more treatment methods, you need to be educated as to what the risks are with the original water.
What are your feelings on using iodine vs. bleach ?
Wulf, How much and where/when is your water classes you mention... I am very much interested in attending to see if I am doing things properly.
However, I have/plan on further treating my stored water when/if i need them.
My current process:
- Save 2-liter soft drink bottles as I use them.
- When I do homebrewing at home I use my left over sanitizer (Star-San)to sanitize the clean 2-liter bottles, and immediately fill/seal the bottles with Aurora Tap water.
- Stack the bottles in a cool-dry crawlspace under the house using repurposed 2-liter bottle plastic trays that hold 8.
What are your feelings on using iodine vs. bleach ?
Well iodine is useful but kills far less than bleach (cyclosporine especially), It's multitool however, great for people with kids or in a bob as a backup treatment to a filter and also for foot ailments like fungus, minor cut treatments instrument sterilizing etc. Something where ounces count I'd take iodine over bleach.
Having said that I HATE iodine water. I mean I fucking hate the stuff, it makes my stomach quench just thinking about it. The anti iodine tabs they sell for a few bucks are just vitamin C. 50mg of vitamin C added to the water after the iodine has done it's job works great to remove the taste, Emergen C packets or chewable tabs divided down and crushed into the water leave no taste.
You can also run into an un diagnosed Iodine allergy if you are in a group. Iodine and shellfish are not mutually inclusive allergies. Also those with thyroid problems may not deal well with iodine treated water, and if you can convince a kid to drink iodine water I'd be impressed.
Here's the formula for treating with different types of common Iodine;
Iodine Tincture & Iodine Topical Solution 2% 8 drops/liter.
Lugol's Solution 5% 4 drops/liter. *
Povidone-Iodine (Betadine®) 10% 4 drops/liter.
Tetraglycine hydroperiodide (Globaline®, Potable Aqua®, EDWGT®) 8 mg 1 tablet/liter
*Lugol's Solution also contains 10% potassium iodide, increasing the dose of iodine ingested. (yes the same stuff they sell in anti radiation tabs)
Potable Aqua is honestly the worst tasting and looking of all the iodine treatments. Lugols has an extra stomach quenching problem for me.
Quoting Cody Lundin's book, If it looks like light beer and tastes like it will choke a camel that's enough Iodine.
In short Iodine for on the move and bleach for bug in.
How long is the water with Chlorine good for? Mine is a couple of years old. May be time to drain and refill.As above if it's still sealed and out of direct light it's fine.
Wulf, How much and where/when is your water classes you mention... I am very much interested in attending to see if I am doing things properly.
However, I have/plan on further treating my stored water when/if i need them.
My current process:
- Save 2-liter soft drink bottles as I use them.
- When I do homebrewing at home I use my left over sanitizer (Star-San)to sanitize the clean 2-liter bottles, and immediately fill/seal the bottles with Aurora Tap water.
- Stack the bottles in a cool-dry crawlspace under the house using repurposed 2-liter bottle plastic trays that hold 8.
http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=52612
Last class thread was lost in the crash, pretty much the same as this one except people showed up
http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=45217
Your process is fine as long as you don't open them it'll be good for a few decades, it may go flat and taste mildly of soda though. If you go for clear 2 liters they can be used as SODIS treatment later on if you have to.
Apparently i may be instructing or a "consultant" soon... still in negotiations.
If you go for clear 2 liters they can be used as SODIS treatment later on if you have to.
I am trying to think of the way I can store that is:
-Easy to store.
-Has the greatest chance of staying fresh for the longest time.
-Even if the water is not drinkable when I need it, I have the greatest range of ways I CAN purify it when I need to use it. (MSR pump water filter/Iodine Tincture or tabs/Bleach/or even SODIS.)
I think the 2-liter solution bears the greatest opportunity to utilize the stored water in a semi-urban environment that regular ol' joes like me can start storing right now with minimal investment.
I am trying to think of the way I can store that is:
-Easy to store.
-Has the greatest chance of staying fresh for the longest time.
-Even if the water is not drinkable when I need it, I have the greatest range of ways I CAN purify it when I need to use it. (MSR pump water filter/Iodine Tincture or tabs/Bleach/or even SODIS.)
I think the 2-liter solution bears the greatest opportunity to utilize the stored water in a semi-urban environment that regular ol' joes like me can start storing right now with minimal investment.You've got it figured out.
The only thing you may add is some gatorade and 20 oz bottles, they're portable or handout sized.
You've got it figured out.
The only thing you may add is some gatorade and 20 oz bottles, they're portable or handout sized.
I really like those gatorade packets that are in the Kool-Aide section they are really portable and are in all our Get-Home/Bug Out/EDC bags.
20-oz bottles I haven't thought about I completely agree. I'll adjust my recycling/reusing actions to add that into the mix.
[zombie1]Zombie Thread Resurrection... :)
In the last few weeks, have gone through a number of 2 liter bottles, and I made a point to rinse and dry them out once I was done with them, with the idea that I'd store some water in them. Will probably have a few more every couple weeks based on our consumption rate. Any thoughts on risks related to skipping the "wash in hot soapy water" step? They are clear diet soda, so no sugar. I've rinsed and will eventually fill them with filtered water (from a "Pur" faucet-installed filter), and put 2 drops of "concentrated" bleach in each bottle, and store them on a shelf or something in the basement.
I don't know that it would be worth the hassle if I had to hand wash and rinse each bottle before using since I have other water storage options, but a quick rinse and fill with bleach added would be quick and easy to do.
Madeinhb
01-06-2015, 08:49
[zombie1]Zombie Thread Resurrection... :)
In the last few weeks, have gone through a number of 2 liter bottles, and I made a point to rinse and dry them out once I was done with them, with the idea that I'd store some water in them. Will probably have a few more every couple weeks based on our consumption rate. Any thoughts on risks related to skipping the "wash in hot soapy water" step? They are clear diet soda, so no sugar. I've rinsed and will eventually fill them with filtered water (from a "Pur" faucet-installed filter), and put 2 drops of "concentrated" bleach in each bottle, and store them on a shelf or something in the basement.
I don't know that it would be worth the hassle if I had to hand wash and rinse each bottle before using since I have other water storage options, but a quick rinse and fill with bleach added would be quick and easy to do.
If plastic - you run the issue of the chemicals in the plastic getting into the water.
The result will just be water that tastes like stale watered down flat soda
Busta Prima
01-06-2015, 10:40
I've got water I stored back in 2007 in my basement. I started saving the Sam's Club cranberry juice bottles. I rinsed and dried them then filled them with filtered water from my fridge. I added 10 drops of laundry bleach as instructed by somewhere on the net. I recently tried one and it was fine. In fact if anybody wants some they can have it because I'm getting ready to move.
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