Storing Water in Limited Space?
 

Ok, so I am ready to get a little more serious about getting preps together. Taking it one step at a time, I figure that water is the first thing I need to nail down. I've got some food piled up, but I realized we'll run out of good water long before we eat the food I do have. So water is at the top of the list.

My first thought was that 200 gal of drinkable would be a good first goal for me. Here's my issue -- veeeery limited space. When I think of 200 gal as 40 of those 5-gal water-cooler bottles, or as 28 of those 7-gal aqua-tainers, I realize I am in trouble.

For various reasons, this needs to go in the basement; outside is not an option where I live. (Or perhaps outside could be for additional supplement above what I've got in the house, but I'll think about that next.) My basement is very small, and the water will be competing with other preps, general storage, washer / dryer, etc.

I could build something to stack the containers, but even then, that volume of water would not leave much extra room. Yikes. I don't imagine I could get 4 of those 55 gallon monsters down there, but maybe -- though that option really doesn't appeal to me. Should I be looking at this type of thing: http://www.watertanks.com/category/78/?

I'll certainly start with what I can manage (50 gallons is better than no gallons), but want to try to get the number up. Any advice from the creative and experienced preppers here? Thanks!

Dymaxion

Re: Storing Water in Limited Space?
 

Well, you need to allow a gallon or so a day per individual.....so the question becomes how important is that versus the "general storage" you have :D

The prices on tanks listed on the website you reference is high, IMHO. You can do a lot better at a local farm supply store if you have one in your area. I can buy a 1500 gallon tank for what those guys want for a 200 gallon one.

One thing you CAN see from the website is a verticle 200 gallon tank is only 36" in diameter and 52" tall....taking up a LOT less space than a bunch of stacked 5 gallon jugs......SURELY you can find that much space in a basement ?

I don't know your location of the country, but I would also consider, assuming you have decent rainfall, some type of roof/gutter diversion to basement tank for re-supply of water. Of course, you'd need to filter or treat the water for potability.

1 square foot of roof area with 1" of rain will produce about a 1/2 gallon of water. Even a fairly small house will have a 1000 or more sqft of roof.....so a 1" rainfall will produce 500 gallons....if you just capture part of that, you can get a fair amount of water.

Look here to see average rainfall for your area: http://countrystudies.us/united-states/weather/

We average 3-4" per month here.....my house has 4000sqft of roof, so that means 6000 or more gallons of water per month with average rainfall.....you could live a normal life with that kind of supply.

In the long run, re-supply is the only practical solution anyway. Would you consider an inground tank just outside the house with a supply pipe leading in, or a hand pump, etc ?

Re: Storing Water in Limited Space?
 

Looks like 40 of those 5 gallon water bottles would cost less than 1 of those 200 gallon water tanks and they would be a lot more portable and easier to use.

The 5 gallon bottles could also be stored in between spaces so you could keep a pathway free and be able to get to all of your supplies. Also remember that you already have about 50 gallons in your hot water tank and in any crisis, the first thing you could do would be to fill the bath tub, so this should help lessen your need to hit your preps right away.

I have to assume that you already have a good water filter - that would be my first priority.

55 gallon drums can be bought pretty cheap, how about burying some in the yard? No sunlight exposure should keep algae from growing and you could tap them at night when no one will see you.

Re: Storing Water in Limited Space?
 

Water literally falls from the sky. Katrina victims were surrounded by it but were thirsty.

http://heartspring.net/water_filters_guide.html

Re: Storing Water in Limited Space?
 

QWAK, ,You may want to concider a STOCK TANK,they are strong and relitivly cheep,just build a strong cover for it that you can stack other provisions on top of it.

http://www.rcpworksmarter.com/rcp/products/detail.jsp?

BTW: I turned the 300 gal. tank in to a very nice HOT TUB with 2 micron dt filtration! :D

the DUCK

Re: Storing Water in Limited Space?
 

You're certainly right about the prices. I've done a little more googling, and have already found sites with much better prices than the one I found quickly before. And yes, at first glance this is seeming a feasible way to start, space-wise.

Not yet, just a couple of small units from backpacking days. I do plan to complement the raw storage with filters / tablets -- but that is the next research project. (Thanks for the link KG.)

Regarding the roof collection, burying, etc. suggestions -- they sound great, but I think will have to wait.

Dymaxion

Re: Storing Water in Limited Space?
 

Well I finally figured out why my house stunk!! My fish tanks!! So after I got done dumping all the fish piss/poop out I started the 15 minute task of refilling the 62 gallons I have. Then it hit me, hey thats water!!!

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/DSCF0491.jpg

Now that my bass is allmost out growing his 37 im thinking of upgrading him to atleast a 55 maybe more like a 125 if I get the funds together.

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/DSCF0490.jpg

Now I havent done much research into filters yet either but It is on my short list to do as soon as I get a little bit more disposable income. I would assume that a relativly inexpensive filter would remove the nitrates and solid fish waste to get something drinkable?

Seeing as your problem is storage space why not devote a corner or two to a fish tank? You can get hexagonal tanks that have a small foot print yet hold upwards of 45 gallons of water. You would have a glass storing medium (not sure if the silicon adhesives would leach?). Relativly small foot print for vertical type tanks. You would eliminate the scrutiny of your peers deeming you a "wacky survivalist" and last but not least you would have the enjoyment of the fish with the relaxing cascade of falling water to enjoy even if the S didn't HTF.

Well, just throwing some stuff out there as this is my main water storage solution. We have a decent short term supply in about 10 1 gallon medium plastic bottles but I was looking for something more midterm and I decided on the fish tanks. Any situation that I'm gonna need to store more then a 100 or so gallons for I'd definatly allready be outa my house anyway.

Re: Storing Water in Limited Space?
 

I just recently joined the forum and hope you won't mind me making a few suggestions.

To save space in you basement, have you considered using one of those rectangular tanks and building a small work bench over it to give double duty in the same area?

Have you considered using washed out soda bottles and stashing them in unused places in your home? Wash them out very thoroughly (paying particular attention to the cap and threads) and store in as dark a location as possible. A free storage alternative and I think you'll be surprised at just how much water you will be able to store.

Whichever method of storage you settle on, you will need to treat the water to prevent any harmful growth. I've used chlorine bleach in the past, but now I've been using a product called Oxy-Stabile with great success.

http://www.nitro-pak.com/product_inf...oducts_id=1137

We have a collection of 30, 35 gal. barrels and soda bottles, totalling about 200 gallons in our 4 1/2 ft. crawlspace, the water has been good to drink 5 years after being treated with this product. As I said before, store in dark locations, as dark as possible is one of the best ways to prevent growth you can get. Even though our barrels and soda bottles are stored in a dark crawlspace, I still cover them with black plastic bags just as added insurance.

Also, a good water filter will be necessary for any long term event especially if you will be gathering water from roof tops, etc. One that I can recommend is the Katadyn Pocket filter.

http://www.nitro-pak.com/product_inf...roducts_id=133

A world class filter with a long life span, it uses a washable ceramic filter that has silver embedded in it to prevent any growth between uses. To me a preferred unit as you do not have to store many spare disposible filters. The downside (small downside), is that it IS made from ceramic and is possible to crack the filter if dropped. Now, I've dropped mine from several feet up on hard surfaces before and have never had a filter break, but YMMV.

Good luck with whatever coices you finally decide on.