Water Storage & Distribution

Calculate Your Needs

Total gallons = People × Days × Gallons/person/day

• Survival minimum: 1 gallon/person/day
• Comfort level: 2-4 gallons/person/day (cooking, hygiene)
• Normal use: 50-100 gallons/person/day (not sustainable in emergency)

Family of 4, 30 days, 1 gal/day = 120 gallons minimum. Two 55-gallon drums covers it.

Container Options by Scale

Food-Grade Requirements

Water storage containers MUST be food-grade. Look for:

• HDPE plastic: Recycling symbol #2 (most common for water)
• "Food grade" or "FDA approved" marking
• Blue or opaque: Blocks light (prevents algae)
• New or previously used for food only: Never chemicals, fuel, etc.

Never use containers that held chemicals, fuel, or non-food items. Residue can contaminate water even after cleaning.

New vs Used Containers

• New: Guaranteed clean, food-safe. Worth the cost for peace of mind.
• Used food-grade: Bakery buckets, pickle buckets - free or cheap. Must sanitize thoroughly.
• Used drums: Check what was in them. Soda syrup drums OK after cleaning. Chemical drums NEVER OK.

DIY: Ask bakeries, restaurants, grocery stores for used food buckets. Free if you ask nicely. Sanitize before use.

New Containers

1. Rinse with clean water
2. Fill with water and 1 teaspoon unscented bleach per gallon
3. Let sit 30 minutes with cap on
4. Empty and rinse thoroughly
5. Air dry completely before filling

Used Containers (Strong Odors)

1. Wash with hot soapy water
2. Rinse thoroughly
3. Fill with water and 1 tablespoon bleach per gallon
4. Let sit 24 hours
5. Empty, rinse, air dry
6. If odor remains, try baking soda solution (1 cup per 5 gallons), repeat bleach

Tap Water (Municipal)

• Already treated - can store as-is for 6-12 months
• For longer storage, add preservative or re-treat
• Fill containers completely (no air gap if possible)
• Seal tightly

Treatment for Long Storage

• Water preserver: Commercial additive, 5-year shelf life. Follow label.
• DIY bleach: 1/8 teaspoon unscented bleach per gallon before sealing
• Label: Write fill date, treatment used, and rotation date

Bleach treatment lasts 6-12 months. Commercial preserver extends to 5 years.

Ideal Conditions

• Temperature: 50-70°F (cool, consistent)
• Light: Dark or opaque containers (prevents algae)
• Surface: Level, solid floor (concrete OK with barrier)
• Access: Reachable for rotation and dispensing
• Safety: Away from chemicals, fuel, pesticides

Location Options

Don't store directly on concrete. Moisture and chemicals can leach into plastic. Use pallet, cardboard, or wood barrier.

How Gravity Feed Works

Water flows downhill. Elevate storage tank → water flows to lower point. No pumps needed.

Pressure (psi) ≈ Height (feet) ÷ 2.31

• 10 feet elevation = ~4.3 psi
• 20 feet elevation = ~8.7 psi
• Standard household pressure = 40-60 psi

Low pressure is fine for filling containers but not for showers or sprinklers. Acceptable for emergency use.

Simple Gravity Setup

1. Place storage tank on elevated platform (deck, stand, hillside)
2. Connect spigot or valve at bottom of tank
3. Run hose or pipe to use point
4. Include sediment filter before spigot (optional)

DIY: 55-gallon drum on 4-foot platform gives enough pressure to fill containers and run a simple hose.

Considerations

• Freezing: Outdoor gravity systems freeze in winter. Drain or insulate.
• Weight: 55 gallons = 460 lbs. Platform must be strong.
• Sediment: Tank will accumulate sediment. Include drain valve at bottom for flushing.
• First flush: Let water run a moment before collecting - clears stagnant water in line.

From Large Containers

Siphon pump is cheapest and works on any container. No drilling required.

Basic Setup

1. Catchment: Roof surface (calculate: 1" rain on 1000 sq ft = ~620 gallons)
2. Gutters: Direct to downspout
3. First flush: Divert first few gallons (washes off roof debris)
4. Screen: Filter leaves and debris
5. Storage: Rain barrel, IBC tote, or cistern
6. Overflow: Direct excess away from foundation

DIY: Simple rain barrel under downspout catches 50-100 gallons per moderate rain. $50-100 setup.

Rainwater Treatment

• Non-potable uses: No treatment needed (gardening, toilet flushing)
• Potable: Filter + chemical or boil. Roof water has bird droppings, pollution.
• First flush diverter: Discards first 10-20 gallons - the dirtiest. Essential for drinking water.

Check local laws. Some states restrict rainwater collection. Most allow it for personal use.

Algae growing in stored water

1. Container was exposed to light. Cover or relocate.
2. If mild: Treat with bleach (1/8 tsp/gal), let sit 30 min.
3. If heavy: Don't drink. Use for non-potable purposes.
4. Sanitize container thoroughly before refilling.
5. Store in dark location going forward.

Container leaking

1. Transfer water to another container immediately.
2. Locate leak (crack, seal failure, valve).
3. Small cracks: May be repairable with food-safe sealant.
4. Large cracks: Replace container.
5. Check nearby containers for similar damage.

Water tastes like plastic

1. Common with new containers. Usually safe.
2. Aerate: Pour between containers several times.
3. Let sit open for a few hours.
4. If taste persists after rotation, replace container.
5. Avoid cheap non-food-grade containers.