Start Your Water Storage

Start your water storage now! How important is it? The human body can survive only 3 days without water. In comparison we can go up to 3 weeks without food. Makes you think that water storage should be first on your list when planning your preps, right?

Today I continue with the Prepping for Non-Preppers series from last week. Last week we talked about making a game plan. But this week we are getting to the nitty gritty…water.

How much is enough?

Most experts agree that you need to store 1 gallon per person per day. This is the current recommendation for drinking and sanitation. So a family of 4 is going to need a minimum of 12 gallons for 3 days; which is the bare minimum days you want to have on hand.

But there are some variables to consider:

What kind of climate do you live in? If you have hot summers like we do here in Phoenix, you’re going to want more.
What about cooking?
Children, those with chronic illness and nursing mothers may need more water than the average person.
Gardens, pets, livestock – all need water

Buying vs Bottling

You basically have 2 options when it comes to storing water. Are you going to buy it or bottle it yourself?

I prefer to buy it and here’s why:

Already sterile
Already bottle for storage
Less work (truth right there)
I can get it without all the crap that comes out of the tap
No filtration needed
Already date stamped
Buy in various sizes
Con: more expensive

BUT…if you want to bottle it there are things you need to do:

Sterilize those containers
Make sure, if you’re using plastic, that it is BPA free
Test your water or use a filtration system to ensure you’re water is clean
Date it and rotate it! Do your research on water rotation.
Consider a water treatment.
Test it before you drink it.

Storing It

You want to store your water in a dark, cool space. If you live in the desert, like me, the garage isn’t going to be the best place to keep it. I like my under closet – dark, no windows and the door isn’t opened much. But this can’t hold a large amount of water either. You also don’t want your water freezing, defrosting, freezing, etc. Temperature control is key to keep water fresh and drinkable.

Space can quickly become an issue too. But look for unused space like under beds, in the coat closets, guest rooms, craft room. I think you get the idea. Another option to make it easier is to invest in some water bricks. They are a great way to stack a lot of water without the worries of weight distribution and they are portable. Try carrying one of those water cooler bottles and you’ll see how important that can be.

But at some point you’re probably going to need to consider bigger storage options. If you have a family of 4 with pets, livestock and a garden…that’s a big water need. You can buy 55 gallon barrels for larger options but you may also be able to pick up food-grade barrels from restaurants. But please verify what you’re getting!

No matter what keep your water storage varied. You want some portable and you need your larger options too.

Other Water Gear

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter – I think one for every person in the house is important. If you’re caught away from your storage you may need this to get you by.
LifeStraw Family Water Purifier – Same idea as the person straw but family sized. Keep one in your trunk.

Start Prepping Today – 5 week series.

Come back for the whole series, new posts on Thursdays!

Week 1 – Make A Game Plan

Week 2 – Water Storage (you’re here!)

Week 3 – Food Storage

Week 4 – Medical Supplies

Week 5 – Off Grid Considerations

It is a lot to take in, especially if you are a non-prepper. But think small and move up. Get your 3 days water storage completed first, move up to 3 weeks and then consider getting 3 months put away. Water is essential to life and you don’t want to be out in a crisis or disaster (remember Katrina?).