Water-Getting Started

This is from a series that I wrote called "How to Start Prepping (The Basics)".:

Prepping: Getting Started-Water
Photo by Vanessa Pike-Russell

FIRST things FIRST! Consider beginning with an easy start: Water.


Store at LEAST 1 gallon (preferably 3 gallons) per person per day. One gallon would be for consumption the rest for cooking and sanitation). NOTE: You could die after THREE (3) days without water! Don't forget to include water for your pets! Water storage can be completed in a "three-tier" system:

-Store bought water you purchase and have on hand, ahead of time-Clean, empty containers that you store and fill up when you have advance warning of an emergency situation.-The ability to filter and purify water that you may need to collect after the first two water sources are used up. Coffee filters (to filter) and bleach (to purify) are the simplest methods.

FIRST thing you can do:

-  Start to collect empty beverage containers to store water! Any plastic or glass container that previously held food or beverages such as 2-liter soda bottles or water, juice, punch or milk jugs, also may be used.  

:caution: IF you save milk jugs ONLY use those to store 'grey' water! The bacteria in milk can leach into the milk jug plastic and contaminate future water stored in that same container.  (So, use this water only for cleaning or flushing purposes! NOTE: It is NOT recommended that your fill the milk jugs ahead of time for long-term storage. They tend to pop pin-hole sized leaks    . Keep the milk jugs and fill them if you see an emergency situation approaching. Then you can use this water quickly, and you will be emptying the container BEFORE they pop a leak!   ).

- To clean used jugs or bottles for future water storage, put a few drops of bleach in the containers and fill with water. Let your jug/bottle soak for at least 20 min. Empty. Put cap back on and store till you are ready to fill.

- Storage of jugs or bottles: Store your (light-weight) empty containers in bags, boxes, closets, attics -- where ever you have room till you need them. If you have the room, you may prefer to store some of the jugs/bottles filled with water (Remember: don't do this with the 'milk jugs'!). The filled ones will be heavy. Make sure you choose a sturdy location. DO NOT store your containers directly on concrete floors. The chemicals from the concrete can leach through the plastic into your water! Place wood, old piece of carpeting, old towels, etc. on the concrete first.

You'll feel like an instant prepper with this FREE start! For more water information go here: Water Storage: General Information

A great source of basic water information can be found on the GetPandemicReady website. Although the info was written for pandemic preparation ... it's good for any disaster preparation! (disclosure: I am a co-founder of the GPR site). Here are the three pages that you will find helpful in understanding your water preparation needs:

Water: Getting Started
Water-Finding and Filtering
Water-Emergency Purification

Starting your WATER preparations is an EASY-FREE start in getting your household prepared! There may be some expense in considering a way to filter & purify your water, if you use up your stored water. There are cheap options and there are more expensive options. That's something that you should read a bit more about and then decide on, as you get more involved in your home preparation activities.

So ... start saving those containers and you're on your way to 'prepping' for an emergency!