Water Barrels

water barrel holders
http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/here-are-pictures-of-some-great-water.html



nstructions to make these racks can be found at LINK ABOVE!

Includes Diagrams and Instructions

HOW TO USE 55 GALLON WATER BARRELS
http://3steps.org/60.html

From the NEIGHBORHOOD EMERGENCY NOTEBOOK available at 3-Steps.org site (above)
http://3steps.org/40.html

1.   The first trick is to get one of the two 4-inch bung lids unscrewed.  (NEW barrels have two screw-in lids, and but some USED ones have one screw-in lid and one sealed metal cap.  If you have one of these, leave the sealed metal cap on forever.)  If you can’t get the plastic screw-in lid unscrewed with your fingers, take a pair of pliers and put the handles down in the X-shaped thing on the lid, pull the pliers open, and unscrew the lid by turning the pliers.  The pliers give you leverage and something to hold onto.  You can also buy bung wrenches made for just this purpose.

2.   If you purchased used barrels, they need to have the soda pop syrup rinsed out of them. (Mine are lemon-lime flavor—what are yours?)  YOU NEED TO WASH NEW ONES OUT TOO.  Just put the squirter nozzle on your garden hose and squirt around in the barrels, add some soap, squirt some more, roll them around, then dump the water out, squirt some more, dump it out, etc.  Repeat this process until you feel happy. It is also recommended that you then pour a half gallon of chlorine bleach into the empty barrel and roll it around some more and then let it stand for 2-4 hours with the bleach in it.  Then dump out the bleach and RINSE IT OUT REALLY WELL. (This will cut down tremendously on future algae growth.)  If you’re doing all this in the winter, just wait for a warm enough day.  You can also clean out your barrels with the power nozzle at the local car wash!

3.   Put the barrel(s) where you want them to be — if you are storing them on cement, put some newspaper, carpet, grocery sacks, wood, or whatever under them so the water won’t pick up a cement taste — and then fill them up with a food-safe plastic hose (available at RV supply stores).  If you’re storing the barrels where they might freeze, be sure to LEAVE ABOUT 9” EMPTY AT THE TOP FOR FREEZE EXPANSION.  You might be wondering what will happen if you need the water in the dead of winter and your barrels are frozen solid.  That is unlikely, but the chance that they could freeze is another reason we suggest you have at least 2 methods of water storage.

4.   It is recommended by almost everyone including City Water Depts. that you rotate your water storage annually.  (I usually do my barrels in the fall leaving 9” empty on top for winter freezing.)  When you’re ready to rotate the water, first siphon out the old water with a garden hose, squirt the barrels out with a squirter nozzle several times, treat them with bleach again as described above, rinse them again really well, and then fill the barrels with fresh water.  If your hose water is cholrinated and you rotate your water annually, you shouldn’t need to add more Clorox.

Changing the water once a year only takes a few minutes, because once you start a siphon with the hose, the barrel empties itself while you’re cleaning the house, sewing your own clothes, putting on a new roof, or washing yours and the neighbors windows...

It is important to know that even tap water has some bacteria in it, and so unless your containers and water are 100% purified when first storing, bacteria will multiply over time if exposed to light and heat.  They will multiply even more if they have sugar to eat, which they do with if your barrels are used and any pop syrup remains in them.  Do your best to sanitize all your containers and use the purest water possible for storing.  Then if you think your water might not be safe enough to drink later, filter it, treat it, or purify it again before using.

5.   NEW VS. USED: The pop taste is very slight in most used barrels but lessens each time you rotate your water.   Many used barrels are translucent white.  Supposedly, NEW and BLUE barrels grow less algae.  BE SURE YOUR BARRELS ARE MADE OF FOOD-GRADE PLASTIC and that used ones have only had something edible for people in them before.  New barrels, although more expensive, might be safer since they have nothing in them for organisms to feed on.

6.   HOW TO START A SIPHON WITH YOUR GARDEN HOSE:  First, put a squirter nozzle on the end of your hose and then turn on the water.  Squirt some water out through the nozzle until all the air is out of the hose and the hose is full of water.  With the nozzle still screwed on the end of the hose but not spraying, turn off the water at the faucet end.  (The nozzle on the end should be keeping the water in the hose.)  Unscrew the hose from the faucet, stick your hand over that end of the hose, and hold that end up to keep the water from running out, and then put that end of the hose down into the barrel ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM, and put something on top of the hose to keep it from pulling out of the barrel.  Then run the rest of the hose along the ground (downhill if possible) and unscrew the squirter nozzle.  As the water already in the hose runs out, it will start the siphon and empty out most of the water from the barrel.

Water Barrel Stands
http://www.iwillprepare.com/Water_files/Water_Water_Barrel_Stands.htm

  Want to make your own? See the plans below.  PDF Link available.   ---CONTINUED---

Water Barrel Care
http://www.iwillprepare.com/Water_files/Water_Barrel_Care.htm

  The easiest way to store the bulk of your water is in 55 gallon, polyethylene (plastic) water barrels. These can be found on the internet for about $45 or obtained locally from food storage or container companies. Make sure that whatever containers you use, that they are food grade quality. 55 gallon barrels are often available through companies that distribute beverages or syrups (Coke, Pepsi) or Soy Sauce. If you clean them well, they can provide a good container that costs considerably less than a new one. Be aware that the flavor or odor of the syrup can leach into the plastic and by storing your water in these containers, the syrup flavor may be reintroduced to your water. The flavor will diminish each time you refill the barrel. Opaque containers are best. Translucent containers may allow algae growth, but rotating your water every 6-12 months will reduce this risk.

Cleaning
Used water barrels often come pre-sanitized. To be on the safe side, you should clean your own.

Using dish soap can be a big mistake. You will be filling and refilling the barrel dozens of times trying to get rid of all the bubbles.

Try this method:  ---CONTINUED---

How to Clean 55-Gallon Plastic Barrels
https://www.ehow.com/how_8048813_clean-55gallon-plastic-barrels.html

Often used as rain barrels, 55-gallon plastic barrels can also become compost bins, trash cans or even a contained vegetable garden when filled with dirt. Regardless of your plans, it's a good idea to thoroughly clean out the barrel before you recycle it for another purpose. In addition to the initial cleaning, regular maintenance will keep your plastic barrel looking presentable and prevent the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria that could develop over time. ---CONTINUED---