Why stock up on water?

[sevin]

I've been storing up food and supplies, but I have limited space in my apartment and it would to hard to store hundreds of gallons of water. How come some of you are storing up so much water? Do you really think prices will be so bad you won't be able to afford your water bill, or that water companies will have trouble distributing enough water for everyone? Hard to imagine either of those things happening.

[kathy88]

I am fortunate as my water comes from a well, but for others on city and municipal systems I imagine the fear is failure for those entities to provide water.

[UnReconstructed]

I live within walking distance of a river and I have 3 Katadyn Pocket filters. (http://products.katadyn.com/brands-and-products/produkte/Endurance_Series_23/Katadyn_Pocket_22.html). If you get one of these filters you can use any water that you can find.

[ShowMeLiberty]

I am fortunate as my water comes from a well, but for others on city and municipal systems I imagine the fear is failure for those entities to provide water.

That and the possibility that even if the water is still available, the standards for purification may slip. Also the possibility of having to "bug-out" and not knowing where your water will come from.

OP - look into getting a water purification/filter device instead of storing hundreds of gallons of water. Have a few gallons on hand for immediate use, then you can use a purifier to replenish your supply. I'm looking at buying a portable water purification unit that I can easily pack and carry in case of a bug-out situation.

[JenHarris]

I got a box of emergency water packets so that I can have some in my car and then some in the basement in case of a tornado, but there is always a stream or river somewhere nearby to get water if the water dept stops functioning. Just make sure you have a way to purify it.

Others might disagree though :) It's all about what's practical for you, what you're comfortable with, and how bad you think it's going to get.

[LibertyEagle]

I've been storing up food and supplies, but I have limited space in my apartment and it would to hard to store hundreds of gallons of water. How come some of you are storing up so much water? Do you really think prices will be so bad you won't be able to afford your water bill, or that water companies will have trouble distributing enough water for everyone? Hard to imagine either of those things happening.

I'm in the same situation. I currently have about 10 cases of bottled water. I also have a Berkey. Oh, and I'm also renting a reverse-osmosis filter from Culligan. I'm leaving it at that.

[mconder]

You need to get yourself a Big Berky with PF4 filter. Google it.

[PatriotG]

I got a box of emergency water packets so that I can have some in my car and then some in the basement in case of a tornado, but there is always a stream or river somewhere nearby to get water if the water dept stops functioning. Just make sure you have a way to purify it.

Others might disagree though :) It's all about what's practical for you, what you're comfortable with, and how bad you think it's going to get.

Berkey Light Water filter is excellent.

http://www.preparedplanet.com/Berkey%20Light.html

I bought one a few months ago and tested it out. Very good.

They have different models. The light is basically the most portable.

[rockjoa]

My guess is that necessities like water, electricity, and phone service will be kept running if there is an crises. They may need to be taken over by the local gov't and socialized, hopefully temporarily. I think that after cutting a majority of nonessential services, there will still be enough revenue to at least keep these systems running but they may need to be rationed out so you may only have power and water 3 hours a day.

But always keep a 2 to 3 week supply, just in case.

[sevin]

Wow, thanks for the great advice! I never knew there was such affordable water filters available. I think I'll do that instead of filling my closet with 1000 gallons of water.

Edit: Does the Katadyn Pocket Water Filter require replacement parts? How long does it last?

[UnReconstructed]

Wow, thanks for the great advice! I never knew there was such affordable water filters available. I think I'll do that instead of filling my closet with 1000 gallons of water.

Edit: Does the Katadyn Pocket Water Filter require replacement parts? How long does it last?

I believe that you can buy replacement filters and they are good for 13,000 gallons.

[rancher89]

Berkey Light Water filter is excellent.

http://www.preparedplanet.com/Berkey%20Light.html

I bought one a few months ago and tested it out. Very good.

They have different models. The light is basically the most portable.

QFT

just bought 2 yrs supply of the white filters, still have 2yrs of the black filters, and it is VERY portable

[UnReconstructed]

Here's a picture of a Katadyn next to a Samsung Blackjack and a Nalgene (http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/) 32oz water bottle so you can see how big it is.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6337/kat001yk1.jpg

[Brian]

Because there are absolutely no free water sources in the Las Vegas valley. If things go down I am using a mix of stored water and a Berkey filter to use pool water (let the chlorine burn off first). This is all backup if I can't quickly get out of this death trap.

[Ninja Homer]

I live within walking distance of a river and I have 3 Katadyn Pocket filters. (http://products.katadyn.com/brands-and-products/produkte/Endurance_Series_23/Katadyn_Pocket_22.html). If you get one of these filters you can use any water that you can find.

Those are awesome water filters, but why in the world would you need 3 of them? They last damn near forever without needing a new filter.

[roho76]

I am fortunate as my water comes from a well, but for others on city and municipal systems I imagine the fear is failure for those entities to provide water.

This is a blessing. I am having a Pump and Dump Geo Thermal heating/cooling/hot water system (http://www.climatemaster.com/index/res_tranquility27_page) put in on Monday. With a small solar setup I should be alright. I got food/guns and ammo/Gold and Silver.

BRING THE PAIN.

[billjarrett]

Worst case scenario on a budget though, if you can find water (lake, river, whatever), you can strain the hell out of it to get the mud/leaves/etc out, then boil it.

http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/manual/water.shtml

[Truth Warrior]

Making Water From Thin Air
http://www.ats.org/news.php?id=164

[UnReconstructed]

Those are awesome water filters, but why in the world would you need 3 of them? They last damn near forever without needing a new filter.

I was with the US Army Special forces for 3 years and I honestly don't know how I ended up with 3 of them. I guess they gave me a new one with each deployment.

[Ozwest]

Good to be rich and grumpy!

[LibertyEagle]

Drinking again, Oz?

BTW, I took out all your spam.

[Ozwest]

Drinking again, Oz?

BTW, I took out all your spam.


Read my mind.

You are an oracle.:)

[Ozwest]

Never mind,

Half pissed, I am twice your intellect.

[Ozwest]

I frequent this forum about twice a week.

Usually half pissed.

Don't forget the time difference.

It is now 12;20 am Saturday in Australia.

Wowser!

[Ozwest]

If you are not pissed after midnight on a Saturday night, then you haven't been laid.

[MelissaCato]

I am fortunate as my water comes from a well, but for others on city and municipal systems I imagine the fear is failure for those entities to provide water.

I'm on a well too. Although in the city people stocking up on water, tell me their afraid the banks won't cash paychecks, there for not paying the bill.

This is just terrible.

I also met a few people standing in line at a grocery store, buying many gallons at a time with foodstamps. I asked one lady, and she told me her water was already shut off.

Sooo, I dunno. This isn't the way it's supposed to be, people.

[Ozwest]

Drinking again, Oz?

BTW, I took out all your spam.

Yes.

I reckon you would party your ass off visiting me.
Perhaps learn to surf. Catch some big fish....

Drink some wine.

What do you have on tap?

[Ninja Homer]

I was with the US Army Special forces for 3 years and I honestly don't know how I ended up with 3 of them. I guess they gave me a new one with each deployment.

OK, that makes sense.

Actually, they wouldn't be a bad investment. They never go down in value, and if drinking water becomes hard to find they will be worth their weight in gold.

[PlzPeopleWakeUp]

nt

[Ozwest]

OK, that makes sense.

Actually, they wouldn't be a bad investment. They never go down in value, and if drinking water becomes hard to find they will be worth their weight in gold.

Buy gold.

Don't rely on mystical alternatives.

[Athan]

Guys, I need to know where I can buy an old fashioned wind pump water mill. I don't really need the rig itself, just the turbine. Please help!! I googled, but can not find a specific site for actually selling parts or the entire rig.

[shida]

Haven't read through the thread but these links I copied from another forum might come in handy.

Purify Water during an emergency – 6 min 10 sec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OQXZPndh4M

Re: Inespensive water filter

John Lipscomb has a video that tells you how to make
a decent filter with two five gallon buckets, grass, sand,
carbon, and lava rock. Cheap!
http://www.survivalistseeds.com/

and alpharubicon shows you how to make a home made
berkey filter. Cost you about 100 bucks

http://www.alpharubicon.com/kids/hom...erkeydaire.htm


Re: De-Humidifiers and Water Purification

One of the coolest purification methods I've seen so far goes something like this:
1. You get a bunch of unglazed clay flowerpots.
2. Plug the holes in the bottom of them.
3. Stack them up, maybe 5 high, one inside the other.
4. Put water in the top one.
5. The water slowly percolates down through the first clay pot, then the second, third, etc., until all the water has been filtered through clay.

Low cost sources of Drinking Water
http://jmooneyham.com/watp.html

[Ozwest]

Guys, I need to know where I can buy an old fashioned wind pump water mill. I don't really need the rig itself, just the turbine. Please help!! I googled, but can not find a specific site for actually selling parts or the entire rig.

Where are you gonna hook up this old fashioned turbine to?

Shit for brains.

[Ozwest]

Now I'm delegating shells...

[Ozwest]

Guys, I need to know where I can buy an old fashioned wind pump water mill. I don't really need the rig itself, just the turbine. Please help!! I googled, but can not find a specific site for actually selling parts or the entire rig.

Maybe I could wipe your ass?

[Ozwest]

Tosser.

[RonPaulVolunteer]

I've been storing up food and supplies, but I have limited space in my apartment and it would to hard to store hundreds of gallons of water. How come some of you are storing up so much water? Do you really think prices will be so bad you won't be able to afford your water bill, or that water companies will have trouble distributing enough water for everyone? Hard to imagine either of those things happening.

Buy a Berkey, feed it snow...

[shida]

Tosser.

Ozwest, why so rude to someone who is seeking help and advice in some pretty troubling times. :(

[Texan4Life]

Guys, I need to know where I can buy an old fashioned wind pump water mill. I don't really need the rig itself, just the turbine. Please help!! I googled, but can not find a specific site for actually selling parts or the entire rig.

http://www.aermotorwindmill.com/Products/Index.asp

[Athan]

We have well water man. Jeez. Hurricane dolly simply damaged our rig because of the 12 hour long sustained 100mph wind.

Could you be a bit less jackassy?

Oh and thank you for the site Texan4life! I appreciate it down in South Tex.

[Texan4Life]

I was checking out aeromotors company history and I LOL at this:


1999: - Y2K compliant since 1888. Aermotor celebrates its second turn of the century.

[enjerth]

My family is getting prepared to bug out, come a time when critical services are unavailable.

However, we're well aware that services may be out only a short time, and still come back and life return to normal for a while. So we're preparing to store 100 gallons, in collapsible 5 gallon jugs (20) that haven't been filled yet, so when we feel that the time is becoming critical we can fill the jugs and be prepared to wait out for a week or so.

If people are without water in the city for a week, we'll be one of the last ones alive left in the city, and that will make the decision to bug out pretty easy. That and we won't have to worry about people mobbing us if they see we're packing up our supplies to move out.

I highly recommend just having the capacity on hand by having collapsible water jugs.

[notbornyesterday]

Thanks for the Katadyn link.

[RonPaulVolunteer]

My family is getting prepared to bug out, come a time when critical services are unavailable.

However, we're well aware that services may be out only a short time, and still come back and life return to normal for a while. So we're preparing to store 100 gallons, in collapsible 5 gallon jugs (20) that haven't been filled yet, so when we feel that the time is becoming critical we can fill the jugs and be prepared to wait out for a week or so.

If people are without water in the city for a week, we'll be one of the last ones alive left in the city, and that will make the decision to bug out pretty easy. That and we won't have to worry about people mobbing us if they see we're packing up our supplies to move out.

I highly recommend just having the capacity on hand by having collapsible water jugs.

Link for those collapsable containers? I have not seen those before.

[enjerth]

Link for those collapsable containers? I have not seen those before.

You can find these at Walmart, although I've never seen more than 2 on the shelf. You can find them in the camping/outdoors section.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10098757

Here's a similar item online for just a little bit less, although it doesn't have a spigot.

http://store.colemans.com/cart/5galcollapsible-waterutility-container-p-145.html?currency=USD

[enjerth]

Pool Shock is better than bleach.

http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/better-than-bleach-use-calcium-hypochlorite-to-disinfect-water/

[jbuttell]

I've been storing up food and supplies, but I have limited space in my apartment and it would to hard to store hundreds of gallons of water. How come some of you are storing up so much water? Do you really think prices will be so bad you won't be able to afford your water bill, or that water companies will have trouble distributing enough water for everyone? Hard to imagine either of those things happening.

Well, best be prepared for more than just an economic disruption. Here in Los Angeles, where water isn't naturally abundent, it's always a good idea to have some extra water around, in the event of an earthquake or somethjing that can very easily disrupt our water system.

[Ninja Homer]

You can find these at Walmart, although I've never seen more than 2 on the shelf. You can find them in the camping/outdoors section.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10098757

Here's a similar item online for just a little bit less, although it doesn't have a spigot.

http://store.colemans.com/cart/5galcollapsible-waterutility-container-p-145.html?currency=USD

I've used those for camping, and they work really well. I'm not sure how well they'd work for long term storage though... if water sits in them for more than a couple days it starts to taste like plastic. I guess the worst that could happen is you'll have to survive on plastic tasting water. It would probably be fine if you run it through one of those cheap water filter pitchers from Britta or Pur though.

[ShowMeLiberty]

Anybody ever use this one? It seems similar to the Katadyn, though the filter would have to be replaced more often. I'm trying to come to a decision and it looks like a toss up between this and Katadyn, so I'm looking for input from anyone who has used the MSR before. Thanks!

http://www.msrgear.com/watertreatment/images/miniworks_large.jpg


The MiniWorks EX is the best-selling filter on the market, delivering long-lasting, fully field-maintainable water filtration. Its durable ceramic element ensures protection, pumps water for years, and can be cleaned repeatedly for full recovery, with no tools required for complete disassembly. The MiniWorks is also lightweight, compact, and, thanks to its innovative AirSpring Accumulator™, capable of pumping one liter of water per minute.

Long-lasting: Durable ceramic element ensures protection and will pump water for years.
Field-maintainable: Can be cleaned repeatedly for full filter recovery; no tools required for complete disassembly.
Fast Flow: AirSpring Accumulator increases filtration speed; up to 1 liter/minute.
Effective Protection: Removes bacteria, protozoa (including crypto and giardia), and particulate.
Better-tasting Water: Carbon core removes unpleasant tastes and odors caused by chemicals, such as iodine, chlorine, and pesticides.
Kit includes Miniworks EX, stuff sack, hose float, scrub pad, and instructions.


http://www.msrgear.com/watertreatment/miniworks.asp

[LibertyEagle]

Link for those collapsable containers? I have not seen those before.

http://www.preparedness.com/canteens.html

[libertarian4321]

Unless your source water is heavily polluted by chemicals, about all you need to create potable water from a natural source (lake, stream, etc) is a big bottle (about $1 on sale) of bleach (chlorine kills most biological threats) and a simple filter to get the big chunks out.