How can I store water for an emergency?

Question

We have 2 blue plastic containers like they have juice in when you go to a BBQ picnic or whatever and are on a farm (well water that is safe to drink) we want to store some of the water in the containers in case the power goes off (the water pump wont work) is there something we can put into the water - my husband suggests a tiny amount of bleach or colloital silver.. I am not sure
if you are making a guess please say you "THINK"...
if you KNOW please say you "KNOW"
thanks

Answer 1

Your husband is correct. However, the problem is that you will need to have more water in order to last through a power outage. I would suggest the minimum of five gallons each. You will need one gallon per day each just for consumption and then more water for cooking and other uses. I keep 10 five gallon bottles in the garage for the water cooler. Each bottle is numbered so I use them and refill them in order. Get yourself some five gallon bottles. If you have the funds then buy a Power Generator to operate your well in case of an emergency.
If you feel like reading more about emergency water measures then go to this link:

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/wqwm/emergwatersuppl.html

Answer 2

Consider using iodine tablets available from camping supply stores and use the directions, including when to use the tablets and how many. They may also help if you run out of your own stored water supply. During the emergency may not be the most convenient time to spend a lot of effort purifying water and the risks may depend on the nature of the emergency. If everyone (like you) had an emergency water (and food) supply there would be less pressure on fresh supplies as they become available. Often the problem is that the existing supply is questionable until tested and cleared for public use. An emergency supply buys you valuable time.

Answer 3

I have a 55 gallon blue plastic barrel that store water in. I change it out every year. I don't put anything in it. Bleach will purify if there are organisms, but fresh water you normally drink should be OK in a clean container. Recommend you rinse the container with a bleach solution before filling.

This is an opinion.

Answer 4

For human consummation, I'd stock up on bottled water, but back when we went from 1999 to the year 2000 and people thought there would be computer problems that would interrupt water supplies, my neighbor stored gallon jugs of water adding just a drop of bleach. As we all know, she never had to use it.

Answer 5

I don,t know enough to tell you safely how to do this but I,m sure you could find all kinds of information on the web about how to treat and store water. Try searching for 'water storage solutions' or 'safe drinking water storage'. I sure you will be able to find a solution. Or try some outdoor sites like 'Cabella's or some other camping supply site.

Answer 6

Do not BUY bottled water! A terrible waste! Run tap water into a number of plastic gallon milk jugs for drinking. I wouldn't be concerned about water used in cooking as the "cooking" temperature would purify it well enough.

Answer 7

It is better to store alcohol than water. It keeps better. Back during the pirating days mariners stored rum and wine, not water, on their ships for long voyages.

Answer 8

I know: 1 tsp. clorox per gallon of water. You need to let it sit for an hour, at least before drinking. I know- buy bottled water, it isn't that expensive.

Answer 9

I'd buy bottled water and store it in a dark place, what is the likelyhood of the power going out?