Water Storage

One of the more difficult aspects of storing water is figuring out what to store it in. We are going to list a few options that we have found, including some pros and cons of each, though they are not the only options available. A good point to consider is that optimal storing conditions for water are cool, dark places. Also, if you fill the containers with unfiltered water and you want it to last, the water should be treated with bleach or iodine before sealing the container.

First, the Water Barrel

• This is one of the most well-known option for storing large amounts of water. If water is stored correctly in the water barrels, then it can last indefinitely. You can find water barrels ranging from a 5 to 500 gallon capacity, and the cost depends on the size of the barrel. For example, a 55-gallon barrel ranges from $60-$100, depending on shipping and accessories that are included with the barrel. With barrels it is vital to have a way to extract the water, either by pump or siphon, and some water barrel packages come with included pumps or hoses. While barrels can store a high quantity of water, one of it's disadvantages is that they aren't portable, and you have to have all the water stored in only one place. If you do use barrels, be sure you know where you will store them, and have a way to fill them up at that location, as a full 55-gallon barrel will weigh several hundred pounds and be nigh impossible to move. 

Boxes with Mylar Bags

• Another way to store water is in a combination Mylar bag/cardboard box. These kits come with a set of cardboard boxes and Mylar bags that you have to assemble and fill yourself. This option has several advantages, including portability, stackability, and cost. These boxed water kits are available from Emergency Essentials and come in 25-gallon or 100-gallon kits. They cost about $1.25 per gallon depending on which kit you choose. The downside to this option is the effort required to put together the boxes and fill them, and they are somewhat less durable than a barrel or 5-gallon bottle. However, since each box only holds 5 gallons, you can be much more versatile in where you store them, as you can easily store some in a closet and others in another room entirely. When stored correctly, the water will stay good indefinitely. 

5-Gallon Refill Water Bottles

• These bottles are good for their portability, and they are more durable than the boxed water. However, they cannot be stacked on top of each other, thereby taking up more space, and because they are the "refillable" bottles, the water does not stay good forever. You will need to refill the water every 6 months to 2 years, depending on how it's stored and how the bottle is sealed. Another benefit of using these bottles is that they can either be delivered to your door already filled up (but for a higher cost), or you can refill them yourselves with your sink water or at the refill stations that are in various locations around town.

The Do-it-Yourself: Soda or Juice Containers

• This is probably one of the most cost-effective forms of water storage. If you ever buy soda or juice, you can clean out the empty bottles and fill them with water from your sink or fridge. Because these are not sealed and the water is not treated with a purifying agent, these should be rotated every 6 months. You can simply write the month that they need to be changed out on the bottle, then in that month just use the water for drinking or watering a garden and refill it so it's ready for another 6 months. This method is cheaper, but the water does not last as long and they usually cannot be stacked, meaning they will take up more space. However, because they are smaller, they do not have to be stored in just one place in the house. Glass bottles can be used, but because they can break so easily it is not recommended. One very important note to remember: Milk jugs/cartons are not good for water storage (unfortunately). The type of plastic that the jugs are made of is not as durable as soda and juice bottles, and the plastic will break down and leak into the water and the water will eventually leak out of he container. Also, the milk proteins are retained in the biodegradable plastic and are not easily washed out. So even though it may be tempting to use milk containers because they are usually more readily available, it will not work for water storage. 

Store-Bought Water Bottles

• When store-bought water bottles remain sealed and are stored correctly, they can last indefinitely. However, this does depend on the type of plastic the bottle is made of. The best option is to use the bottles made from PET/PETE plastic (For more information on PETE, click here). Store-bought water bottles are beneficial because they are very portable, even in the 24 bottle cases, and they can also be stacked effectively when they are still in the cases. A 24-pack of water bottles can be found as cheap as $5 to $10, depending on the store and the current sales. The biggest downside is the small amount of water in each bottle, as it would take multiple bottles to have enough water to cook a large meal of rice, beans, or pasta.

One last point to consider is that some may think "If I have a water filter, then I don't need to actually store water." The only scenario where this would perhaps work is if you have a lake or creek in your back yard. Since we live in a city in the desert, that's not the case for us, and the stake has specifically asked us to store at least ten days of water so we can have it on hand and ready to use in case we lose access to our normal water supply.


Also, so you can all put it on your calendars, the Lubbock Preparedness Fair will be happening on March 29th, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. We hope you can all come and learn something that will help you in your temporal preparation.



Up for discussion: What are your preferred methods for storing water? Do you have a preferred option that we didn't talk about here?