[Kartographer]

Can't stress enough how important mistake 3 is in the article:

3. Not having enough water preps. I cannot overemphasize the importance of water. There are many survivalists who have six months of food and only two weeks of water on hand. Considering that you can survive without food about ten times as long as you can survive without water, you’d be better off with two weeks of food and six months of water. Don’t do that either, but at least make sure your water will last as long as your food. If you don’t have enough room for that much, there are many ways to collect and purify water.

[Mad Dawgg]

Oh, great thread! Thanks for Posting!

[Kartographer]

PING!

[mad_as_he$$]

I was pondering the water issue yesterday. I live in an area where Summer temps are in the 90’s and Winter is often a below freezing for extended periods. I have plenty of water in the well, getting it out requires energy. I also have a large amount of water in 55 gallon drums (food grade) that is frozen solid for three months every year. I lose 1 or 2 barrels due to the cold every year.

I do not have room inside anywhere for storing six months of water (even just drinking water) for the four people I need to support. I currently have decided on utilizing a 24 volt pump, solar collectors and batteries for pumping from the well. I also will be installing a GE RO system in a frame that is portable with it's own charging system and pump. Problem with RO’s is they waste a lot of water, If you are on a stream or other large body of water no big deal. Here in the desert it is often imprudent to waste even scummy water.

Lastly I have several pumps that can be powered from a PTO on a tractor and have them ready to go on short notice; but again with the energy problem.

[beaversmom]

I was just thinking about 3, 5, 9 the other day. Need more water and pet supplies and have been going through and trying to eat some of the older supplies.

[ctdonath2]

Ditto that on water. I moved near a lake, content with that as backup.
Until it almost dried up one summer.

[Shimmer1]

ping

[alicewonders]

Bookmarking, thanks!

[RC one]

There's really no excuse for not owning a Katadyn water filter or equivalent water purifier and extra filters.

[Jane Long]

Thanks for posting.

[djf]

My FReepers -Are You Ready thread has alot of good info on water storage and preparation/cleaning.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2693828/posts?page=1

[Bean Counter]

Water collection is vital and it isn't hard to do with some prior planning. That is the 300 gallon water tank I installed this year that will provide irrigation for a new 45' x 4' raised vegetable bed, and serve very nicely as a backup source of fresh water, ready for filtering and purification. (the pic is a month old and I've made progress on the project since this was taken)

The tank is filled by a high volume downspout that can easily fill the tank in 2 days. It overflows into the garden so none of the water is wasted. I got the tank online for $250 and added another $50 or so in supplies to plumb it.

We are into our third year of serious prepping, and adding this water tank gives us tremendous security here. This is only one portion of our overall survival and sustenance plan...

[JoeProBono]

BTT

[goodwithagun]

I just bought a Berkey water purification system a couple of weeks ago. I got the Travel Berkey and it filters amost 2 gallons/hour. The setup was super easy, it is lightweight, and takes up very little space. The filters will take care of 6000 gallons, and I chose two water bottles as my free item. I'm sure glad I did. I no longer lug cartons of bottled water to work anymore! I keep a couple of gallon jugs of purified water from the Berkey under the sink for cooking, and a jug in the fridge for drinking. I pitched my Brita, which is only good for flavor issues. The Berkey can filter swamp water if I need it, and the filters (if stored properly) last for decades. I'll buy some replacement filters to put back in a couple of weeks.
I initially purchased the Berkey for prepping, but it makes my water so great that we now use it every day. My next prepping purchase is a Rocket Stove, thanks to chocchipcookie!

[GBA]

Thanks for posting!

Prep for later bump to self

[Georgia Girl 2]

The Big Berkey water filter is a must. Its pricey but we finally got one and we feel a lot more secure. This thing will turn pond scum into 99.9% pure water. The price is going to increase by 25%-30% on April 14th. Right now its about $209.

[Bean Counter]

Someone PM’d me and kindly asked if I would post where I got the tank...

I went through an online vender called Plastic Mart; here is a link to the actual tank I ordered.

http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=3698

Plastic Mart is a Nationwide wholesale broker for plastic tanks of all descriptions. The reason they tell you to call for a shipping quote is because they have manufacturers all over the Country who they broker these tanks for. They find the closest manufacturer to you and ship it from there.

I checked locally at my feed store about ordering one of these tanks, and it worked out like this:

Retail Price: $305.00
Sales Tax (8.2% 25.01
Delivery Charge $25.00

Total: $355.01

When I called for shipping info on the tank, he told me there was a manufacturer 10 minutes from my home. I paid him $250 (wholesale cost), he gave me a call number, and I went and picked it up myself.

Total Cost: $250
Total Savings: $105.01

Even with the plumbing supplies I needed, I’m still money ahead by getting it wholesale instead of retail. Now consider that you would need 6 of those 50 gallon rain barrels that Home Depot and Lowes both sell for $100 a pop, not to mention that you have to find a way to hook all six together in one place to have 300 gallons of storage, and you can see how attractive these tanks are.

The top fitting is 1 1/2” NPT and the bottom is 2 1/2” NPT. I use the top fitting for overflow and it goes directly into my drip irrigation system in the garden. I chose the dark green color on the theory that passive solar heat will keep it from freezing.

I’m going to work on putting up a thread here about constructing a system like this, because it is not simply a matter of setting that tank anywhere. Water weighs 8 pound per gallon, so when that tank is full it weighs over 2400 pounds. The foundation has to be properly built, level and solid; and describing how to do that properly takes more space than I have here, and I don’t want to hijack the thread any worse than I already have....

I also have a rainwater collection system for my henhouse roof that ensures my chickens never go without water, and I don’t have to haul it or buy it from the City....

Cheers!

[NELSON111]

Bump For Later...

[texgal]

Anyone know much about using alcohol as fuel - for lighting, cooking & to run autos? Saw this info - go to alcoholcanbeagas. Is a still something that can be purchased?

[metmom]

placemarker