For those with large freezers. Line the bottom and sides with water bottles. I use 32 oz Powerade bottles, the plastic is stronger. Remember not to fill them all the way, they will expand. If the power goes out, it will make the food last a couple days longer. When they thaw, you have fresh water. Every little bit helps. And your freezer won't run use as much electricity if it's full.
Yes. Finally. I have been doing this since I went on BIPAP to sleep. Using distilled water racks up a lot of empty jugs. Started freezing them if power outages occur, but then realized it is a great way to store water. These jugs can be flimsy but I can always pour them in another container if they leak in SHTF. Plus a few of these in a hot swimming pool...(don't use them for potable water after cooling the pool though.) I also use 1 gal juice jugs. Very strong.
Pull the sofa away from the wall, place stackable water containers thin side out & against the wall, put a 10" board on top, cover with a clothe and a decorative table runner, push the sofa back. It should look like a sofa table. For one six foot sofa - 5 containers long X 3 high = 15 containers X 5 gallons each = 75 gallons. Line the bottom of the closet with proper water containers, one high, put a board on top, you can still use the bottom of the closet for shoes ect.
that is a great idea... if you already have a behind the couch console, you can just store underneath... I have one.... there is nothing there now... thanks so much for a great idea
I do enjoy your videos as you speak clearly, precisely and explain the reason for using items reviewed in each video. I completely understand what you are teaching in regards to getting prepared for various situations. Your presentations are Top Notch and never dull. Thanks again for your time and consideration and help with getting us ready with this vast information. It's Greatly Appreciated.
When pressure canning, if I don't have a full canner load, I'll fill a clean mason jar with filtered water and can the water. I then have a jar of sterile water for medical emergencies. Always use a new lid.
It's great to see your still very pertinent information with the straightforward, no bs delivery being given from 7 years ago. Also, you had just crossed 80k subscribers. You've gone 2.5x that now, so congratuations! And thank you for what you do!
I live in an apartment so I have limited storage options. I just picked up three water bricks because they are able to be stacked and picked up a water spigot for them. Plan to store them in back corner of closet. Will have to check out the water bob you mentioned in the video had not heard or seen that before. Congrats on 80,000 subscribers!
You shared a lot of good information in this video. Something I recently learned is that you should not use "splashless" bleach (as pictured in your video) for sanitizing. The splashless formula is not used for disinfecting and actually states that on the bottle. Make sure to buy pure bleach for this purpose.
Thank you for you well thought out and informative videos. I live in a hurricane zone and have learned some water storage lessons the hard way, such as the weakness that exists in the seam that holds the gallon water jugs together. I have had some jugs only last 6 months or so and then they started leaking. Also, I have learned that different brands of bleach loose their potency rather fast and are not a dependable long storage prep for water filtration and require more frequent rotation. Thanks again.
Fortunately, here in the UK, on average, it rains 260 days of the year (with no dry season) and the whole country sits on a reliable watertable. If that wasn't enough, no part of the Uk is more than 15 to 30 minutes walk away from a non-drying fresh water course, pond, lake, spring, pool or reservoir, and the average Brit is less than 10 minutes walk away. The average sized UK home's roof, with drainage pipe connected to a water collection barrel/butt system (front and rear - 2 to 4 butts), will collect a sufficient supply of potable water to maintain a family of 5 without the need to source water from the aquifer/water course in all but the most unusually prolonged dry spell (the last such event happened in the UK in 1976). On the downside, when the zombie apocalypse does hit, we'll probably be fighting off the undead in the pissing rain!
If you lift your sofa up on blocks, buy a single bed sized bed skirt to match your decor. It will hide what's under the sofa. Same for the bed. Just buy the right size for your bed. Great video. Good info.
Most couches have fabric under them. If you take that off that will usually give you about a foot of space. Also I created a box storage bed frame. You can make them as big as you would like. Only took about 4 hrs (had Home Depot do all the cuts for me). wrapped it in fabric put a skirt on it and you cannot even tell. We have never had a guest ask about it, or figure it out.
A couple of things on the video, cursed being about storage containers. An option I rarely see mentioned in relation to last-minute water storage is your junk containers. Most of us have numerous totes or tubs of junk that we keep stored around the house and in the garage. In shtf situation, dump all those old ice skates and light bulbs and clothing that's two sizes too small and fill those containers with water. In our household I know I could easily store several hundred gallons of additional water in these tubs totes and buckets. While this may not be the cleanest, you can always decontaminate and or filter the water for drinking later as necessary, but also this would be good without any further treatment just for sanitary use. The other aspect is where to put your stored. In my case I cannot store water outside or in the garage because of extreme freezing temperatures in winter. This very much limits where I can store water, and the best solution I found is in the crawl space underneath the house. It's kind of a pain getting it there , but it is a dark place that doesn't freeze.
I like the 30 gallon barrels that are almost as space efficient as 55 gal. barrels. At 250 lbs, they can be tipped over and rolled around, then with help from a webbing strap, pulled back up right. I found they are easy to roll up a ramp in to a vehicle. I do this by wrapping a rope around the barrel to use it like a pulley. By combining the 2:1 advantage of the rope around the barrel and the ramp it is surprisingly easy to to do. A second person to steer the barrel up the ramp is helpful. I use two 8 foot long 2x10 boards as the ramp to load a small pickup. You may want longer to load a larger truck.
Here's some options: Coleman 5 gallon water storage: amzn.to/2qlMBUs and Water Brick storage containers which can slide under your bed: amzn.to/2rfDPZq
the kind of cleaners used for home brewing are excellent for sanitizing containers. Clear containers should be kept too as they can be used to uv pasteurize water. When considering safety also get some powdered chlorine, the kind used to shock treat hot tubs & pools. that stuff is superb as a general sanitizer as well as an excellent aide to water treatment. Word to the wise though, chlorine and iodine bond to organic material, filter before treatment 😊
I bought 8 of them from Wal Mart about 6 years ago. They were each $35.00. I priced them again about 1 year ago and was stunned - they were $80.00. !!!!!!!!!!!! And now the price is unbelievable ! I guess that just proves the old adage -He who hesitates is lost, or maybe , Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
that is a great recommendation. didn't know about those until you mentioned them. checked out their website: www.waterbrick.org/. definitely gonna have to do a video on these in the future. these could make storing water in an apartment all the easier. thanks for recommending these!
City Prepping so on ur vid.....which I thought was great and very informative btw. You said you use a water filtration system to filter out fluoride. is that because it has been said that fluoride in our water can cause cancer? At least that's what I have seen in another video. hope to hear back from you! keep up the good work!
Flouride is not known to cause cancer. There is no good reason to filter out flouride. It is there to help prevent cavities. Also, he is not filtering out the flouride. Not unless he is doing reverse osmosis. The molecule is far too small for a Berkey or anything else to filter it. Only RO will do that. There are lots of conspiracy theories about flouridation (see Dr Strangelove) but that's all they are: conspiracy theories.
congrats on blowing past 81,000!!! keep up the good work!! I'm one of those who live in a small apartment and on disability so I gotta do it on the cheap til I can upgrade to something better
Fear. They don't want to even have to think about prepping because they fear living during a disaster scenario so they scoff at anyone who talks about it. You'll find this kind of backwards behavior is prevalent in much of a coddled society.
I live in a 1 bedroom apt, And I am using glass gallon wine jugs, I washed thoroughly, and they are in the back of my cabinets through out my apt. Are these ok to use for long term. Please advise thank you for a informative video.
You can use food and water safe ziplock bags then seal ends with wax paper on top and then seal again. Next store in a apple or strong box with a black heavy duty garbage bag stored inside. Their more portable, much cheaper, and you can adjust sizes. If you have high ceilings, build a higher floor and make it where you can store under it, like they do in bunkers.
That “splashless” Clorox you included in your video has (VERY) fine print on the back that says it does not disinfect. My family had been using it to clean countertops, etc for years. Just discovered (in the middle of a pandemic) that all our clorox is useless. It is a laundry product only. Not concentrated enough to kill germs. Not for disinfecting water at all - and that is what I currently have in my earthquake kit also - pretty great news, thanks Clorox!
I use a 250 gallon fresh water fish tank equipped with a fluidized ceramic filter system and a 500 GPH UV purifier. the entire system has been designed to run on 12 volts so it can be powered by my 4 year old power wheels batteries that are quickly recharged by our portable solar panels. Fish tank is also positioned in the house near a window to allow for refilling with rain runoff from roof. We also have bottled water stored in several locations throughout the house and have an additional 500 gallons in our storage building in the backyard in 50 gallon barrels. Water is the most important, least expensive and easiest prep item out there and it is also the most overlooked.
Tony Kinsey ...your last sentence is so true. I believe one of the reasons is because there is so much conflicting information on water storage. If it all worked then you could pick the best for you. But, it's the conflicting information. store it this way, not that way, put this in the water, don't put this in the water...you get my drift.
That's ok Kate, realizing is the first step. You'll find so much help and encouragement in these CZcams sites. Good Luck to you on your journey into being better prepared!
I feel paralyzed with the whole thing (lack of a better word). We are eating clean Whole Foods with our new vita mix. But not prepared. Berkey yes! But not water prepared at all‼️‼️😂😂 wishing you well. God bless you. Oregon USA 🇺🇸👏👏🙏♥️
Thanks for providing perspective to those of us who "thought" they lived in a small dwelling. Our relatively small Cape house is still larger than most apartments. Complaining less now.
yeh, i really fell bad for those in apartments...not much space. after making the video i like you felt a lot more grateful for all the space i have in my "average" american home (2300 square feet). thanks for the feedback!
Xcellent vid on water storage. Just a note though, a gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds so be sure that your structure underneath can handle the weight of multiple containers, and if you have to move containers be xtra vigilant about back injuries. A pulled muscle in your back could cause you to become a sitting duck.
Saw video from Michelle Jorgenson from Stake Self Reliance saying to put several cases of the bottled water under each person's bed. She recommends arrowhead brand name. This is good for people in small apartment.
This is a little off subject but it's interesting. When I was learning another language I was reminded of my use of words. You mentioned hot water heater. There's no such thing in that context. If the water is already hot why do you need to heat it? It as I was reminded is a water heater.
We're fortunate to have a large cool basement area away from any direct sunlight. We have a variety of water storage containers. My wife always purchases several 1-GAL distilled water jugs when grocery shopping, which we rotate out and use. It is easier for her to handle and she likes to keep about 10-20 of those on hand at all times. I 'm increasing our 5-GAL storage capacity (plastic and box), because it is easier to move, especially for my wife. We are also adding several 55-GAL drums this year. Good video as always and your detailed links are great!
My Father camps a lot & he reckons, if one needs to carry water & don't have a container, condoms work really well. They are sturdy, portable & small. Greetings from South Africa
My water storage so far is 6 Secpter/LCI 5 gallon military containers and one 2.5 gallon Secpter. I have the smaller container to be able to transport water on foot from local water sources if needed. There are several nearby lakes that I could walk to from my house, and I don't want to be running with a rifle and a 5 gallon jug full of water if things are sketchy outside. I also have a Katadyn pocket pro ceramic filter, two lifestraw large gravity filters, and two life straw small filters. I have several sources of water purifying tablets and chemicals to help treat water. I plan to add two 50 gallon barrels on a rack to my garage soon. My concept is to have enough water on hand to be able to stay indoors for a week or two if needed depending on the disaster/emergency. I like the military containers because I can easily move them to my truck and get out of the area quickly if needed also.
I recently moved into a small 1 bedroom apartment, and I drink a lot of water of course. I noticed that Costco now sells a 6 pack of 1 gallon water jugs for about 3 bucks, so whenever I go to Costco and pick up a case to drink, I pick up a second to put away. I want to keep at least 30 gallons on hand, and I am planning on getting a waterbob to keep in the bathroom as well.
that waterbob is very cool... I will get one of those as well... I used to live in Guam and people would keep their tubs filled if they thought a typhoon was coming... there were times when most people on the island were without water for a good several weeks actually, I would imagine during those times theyd go through that water pretty quick, or hopefully they had other water sources... but, what a great additional source of water, I forgot about using the tub... face palm
I purchased 3 1/2 gal. Bricks I’m 70 and just not strong anymore so the smaller water bricked are way easier to move around. Just a thought for elders.
I’m right with you Kathie! I’m 72 and find the water bricks the best. I’ve prepped for years and just now getting involved in water prepping to protect my handicapped sister, 92 year old mom. The three of us gals actually enjoy the process of taking responsibility for ourselves and our unique needs because of age. All the best to you and I hope we never have to use all of our hard work saving water. God Bless.
I've been subscribed to your channel for a while now and after some further research feel I'm ready to start my prepping. I'm going to use the aquabrick system for my urban water storage, I would love to support your channel through an affiliate link for this product on amazon.
15 gallon containers will fit in the corner of most closets (diameter of a 5 gallon water cooler jug and about as tall as 3 of them). You can put a board on one or across two of them and make a shelf. That means that you created extra storage. Put the board on top cover with a table cloth and you cannot even tell it is there.
Thanks for the vid, good info is it ok to store water in the plastic container it comes in, and what is the difference between filtering, purification and chemical treatments and show how each one works and which is the best.......thanks
I get my drinking water from my parents place out in the country, they have an artesian well with excellent water. The water here in the city where I live is good for everything else
Great video. So then the storage of clear sealed water bottles in a below grade crawl space is perfect then. No sun, stable temp, and hidden out of site. Thanks. Now i can concentrate on other areas.
You would do well to install some in-line water tanks. Plum them in just like a hot water heater and because water will keep flowing through them you will never need to cycle the water out. While a little sludge may accumulate at the base of them emptying the sludge through the drain port at the bottom is far less arduous then refilling water containers. In addition if you figure out a way to re-pressurize your system you could actually have water go through your plumbing with some of these. If they're stored at an elevation above the appliances being used, like in your attic, then you wouldn't even need to pressurize them; gravity would do it for you. A nice simple little option.
great idea. once i get a house in the country with property, that's my plan: build a water tank up a hill and connect it to the house for that very reason. thanks for sharing that idea.
Yep - all true. Personally I have two 750 gallon storage tanks with a wood surround to keep the sun off of them. Alexapure gravity filter will ensure I have clean pure drinking water.
Extreme conditions for no water: Locate water main low point in urban/ suburban area and dig for it. Probably around 4 foot of soil coverage. Band pipe with saddle and full port ball ball valve looking down at 45 degree angle. Drill out pipe through open valve until water appears. Good luck keeping this a secret. Get a good plumber in your group and you'll get water if there's any to be had.
If you watch the Provident Prepper, you can also glean interesting information. Having said that, this channel is EXCELLENT. I, too, thought I was being smart with the gallon jugs of water and milk jugs repurposed for water. Heck no! When I checked on them after one year, they totally leaked. I would not drink anything from those. Finances are a significant subject; but, if you are limited $, you can try switching out 2L pop bottles after cleansing them and soaking them for 20 min in a clorox bath. Let them dry and fill. I would not suggest keeping them past 4-5 months. I also ditch the entire cheap plastic bottle at that time and begin the process again. Actually, it’s an ongoing process. Of course date each bottle and don’t trust any bottle past 4-5 months unless it is specifically a heavier plastic marked as this video states. Best bet are any that the video suggests, like water bricks. Follow this fella and you can’t go wrong. Have a wonderful day!
City Prepping .. have you noticed the conversation is very intense in understanding how to preserve water. It is the most important thing to do and the most complicated , until you get it.
Are there any special considerations when storing WELL water long term? Are there any different precautions or procedures from what you mention in the video? Awesome video BTW.
Don't forget to check Graigslist. You can often find the blue water barrels for $20 or so. All you have to do is wash them out (most were used for food grade materials originally)
i know you can get some good deals on CL, but i'm always nervous about them having chemicals previously. makes me nervous adding that water to my gardens if they've had something in them before that could end up in what i eat. i've talked to some preppers that have given me tips on things to check, but i still am not quite confident enough to do it.
An easy way to store water in an apartment or condo, is to stack 12 or 24 packs of 16oz bottles on top of each other. Then cover or conceal it with a decorative cloth. on top put a 1/4 inch piece of glass. this will make a table for the living room or bedroom. To make the table sturdy, it might be good to put plywood between each layer of water.
What’s up City prep! Love your videos. I have a few 5 Gallon Containers I want to use for longterm storage. Would you suggest I still use the Water Preparation drops? It’s out of stock/unavailable through your amazon link.
If you live in a home that sits on a concrete slab, you can put some 55-gallon water barrels in your home or garage and fill them with tap water using an RV fresh water hose. These barrels are very heavy, so are not safe to sit on a wood framed floor and are too heavy to move when filled so you have to be very sure of where you will place them. And if you cannot be sure of keeping your home's temperature above freezing, you should only fill those water barrels no more than two-thirds full to allow for the water to expand when it freezes. If you live in a home that has rain gutters and downspouts, you could set up some 55-gallon barrels to use as rain barrels. Rain water will need to be filtered and treated with tablets designed to make water safe for drinking and then the clean water will need to be stored indoors in clean, food safe plastic bottles. Yes, there are some states or communities that make it illegal to collect rainwater -- no one will be enforcing those laws in a prolonged grid-down a week after the tap water stops flowing, after the code enforcement inspectors cannot refuel their vehicles and everyone is thirsty. And there is no law against owning the supplies and materials you need to construct a rainwater collection system. I would be very careful to conceal a rainwater barrel in such a way that other thirsty people cannot know about it and I would protect it with some kind of bullet-proof barrier (sandbags?) so it cannot be punctured by stray rounds. An ideal source of water is to have a deep water well whose pump is powered by an old fashioned wind mill and/or solar panels. But most people do not even own land much less a water well. Keep in mind that 2 gallons of drinking water per person per day is the bare minimum you should be storing for however many days of disaster you expect may happen. If your plan is to camp beside a freshwater lake, you will still need a way to make that water safe for drinking and a way to store at least a day's worth of clean water, assuming you will be purifying more water each day.
I just finished filling our second 55 gallon barrel last night, and I feel so much better knowing we now have over 100 gallons of emergency water ready to go! I haven't added anything to the water, and was just planning on swapping the water once a summer. Would this be a good schedule? Or should I be swapping out the water more often/adding things to it to keep it stable for longer?
So I recently started to prep and starting off with water. My question is i bought a drinking water hose and a rv filter to use with it and fill my 55gal. Do I need to add the water preserver still?
Awesome video. Just curious, what are your thoughts on "prepping" items such as alcohol? As for barter/trade, medicinal, etc. I have a few idea's and if you haven't already thought about a video. There ya go and if you have questions, ask away.
I keep a 55 gallon drum of water in the attic over the garage. Along with a 50' section of hose. This lets me gravity feed to anywhere I might need it.
thats a great idea... love it! do you know how hot it gets in your attic, at peak heat time? How does the water hold up when it's hot? I live in the desert and am concerned about the heat... but, you might not have the same excessive heat problem... just curious what you know... but, what a fabulous idea! I absolutely love it!
My primary water storage is store bought cases in a closet and my backup is in the garage of reused soda 2L bottles. 2 questions, the store bought has an expiration date. Should I rotate these out? 2nd question, I cleaned and sanitized the 2L bottles with bleach and when I filled them, I put a couple drops of bleach in. Should I reconsider my garage storage also? I'm in the desert also. Thanks!
So awhile back I had a special waterbed. Made sure the plastic was right.. yada yada... that was under my Cal king. Didn't have to worry about moving and out of sight. Long story short my family of 5 had water during a catastrophic water failure in California after weeks of massive wildfires. Used plumbing supplies to create a nice shut off valve. Used grey water to flush etc... purification through distillation. That water bed was the BEST investment ever. Looking for another one or two because it was actually destroyed by a house fire. Saved us from 3 weeks if depending of fema water deliveries.
Clorox Splash-Less is intended for laundry use, and does not disinfect. The back of the jug says not for disinfecting. Clorox makes a different product that says Disinfecting Bleach.
Excellent video! Would appreciate your going into detail on water purification techniques using chlorine, iodine or anything else you'd recommend & detailing how much to use. I have 100 cleaned 2-leader pop bottles that I put 2 drops of chlorine in each and they've been stored in total dark storage area for about 4 years. Are these going to be okay?
I’m not the Pro about this, but I stopped saving them past 4 years and threw them away and started again. Actually, I continue to save them (ongoing process) after their cold water baths with soap and water and 20 minute soak in cold Clorox - 2TBL per Gal water. I don’t add bleach to bottles because we have highly chlorinated water here...can smell it. UGH. The plastic is thin and I’m concerned about the chemical reactions. Just my two cents.
Some good suggestions, thanks. I think you're rather silly having a hot water heater, though. If the water is already hot, why would you want to heat it? Personally, I have a water heater. ;) (Just want you to know that I truly am listening!)
Heres an idea. A water colection kit. For those who cant store large amounts of water. I live in florida with many sources of stagnant swamp water around. And no room to store water. Maybe a small kit, for gathering water and making it sanitary. Ive been working on one that would fit into a small carry toolbox size but could use some ideas.
One question that I haven't heard anybody address is the issue of artesian wells. A couple miles from my house is an artesian well which flows freely 24/7 365. I've often seen people gathering water here & wondered if that water also needs to be filtered & purified? Thanks I have an interesting history with water. While I was growing up, my house got water via a spring. My parents didn't filter or purify this & I grew up without any health issues from it although I do consider myself lucky. Currently, I have a well which I hope to connect to a solar pump in the future. I spent about 5 months without utilities of any kind due to a serious financial hardship. It was difficult & I missed the water more than I missed the power.
Well I just found you today but I subbed and hit the bell:D I learned a lot of good things in here. I save water in old milk and bleach jugs to flush the toilets.
Hi. Thank you for an enjoyable and informative video. One question though... You say don't store water in clear plastic containers if they are exposed to light as this will encourage bacteria to grow. Is it not the case that UV light actually kills bacteria?
I live in Arizona and the garages get hot in the summer months. What temperature would you say is too hot to store water in food grade water barrels? They will be out of direct sunlight but I can’t escape the heat of the summer months
Im probably a bit late to the party here, but if some could help me with this that would be great! I have been thinking of water storage for a while so i got some jam buckets from work, this have a number 5 instead of a 2 and they say PP, now my question is would those be good for water storage if kept away from sunlight ?
thanks. i'm gonna start working on building the box for the compost pile next. already shredding paper, collecting lawn clippings and saving food scraps. i want that really rich soil.
For those with large freezers. Line the bottom and sides with water bottles. I use 32 oz Powerade bottles, the plastic is stronger. Remember not to fill them all the way, they will expand. If the power goes out, it will make the food last a couple days longer. When they thaw, you have fresh water. Every little bit helps. And your freezer won't run use as much electricity if it's full.
The Gaff... this is a great idea OMG I love it... thanks so much!
Yes. Finally. I have been doing this since I went on BIPAP to sleep. Using distilled water racks up a lot of empty jugs. Started freezing them if power outages occur, but then realized it is a great way to store water. These jugs can be flimsy but I can always pour them in another container if they leak in SHTF. Plus a few of these in a hot swimming pool...(don't use them for potable water after cooling the pool though.) I also use 1 gal juice jugs. Very strong.
Water stored in Powerade bottles is drinkable?
We do this, too, using filtered tap water frozen in Ziplock freezer bags. Also handy to have to throw in the cooler when we go to the beach.
@@marlene-rr2ih If it's frozen, it likely is. Not a good solution for long-term obviously.
Pull the sofa away from the wall, place stackable water containers thin side out & against the wall, put a 10" board on top, cover with a clothe and a decorative table runner, push the sofa back. It should look like a sofa table.
For one six foot sofa - 5 containers long X 3 high = 15 containers X 5 gallons each = 75 gallons.
Line the bottom of the closet with proper water containers, one high, put a board on top, you can still use the bottom of the closet for shoes ect.
I like your thinking
that's a great idea. thanks for sharing this!
that is a great idea... if you already have a behind the couch console, you can just store underneath... I have one.... there is nothing there now... thanks so much for a great idea
Great idea!
8:38 “calcium hydrochlorite” should be hypochlorite
I do enjoy your videos as you speak clearly, precisely and explain the reason for using items reviewed in each video. I completely understand what you are teaching in regards to getting prepared for various situations. Your presentations are Top Notch and never dull. Thanks again for your time and consideration and help with getting us ready with this vast information. It's Greatly Appreciated.
When pressure canning, if I don't have a full canner load, I'll fill a clean mason jar with filtered water and can the water. I then have a jar of sterile water for medical emergencies. Always use a new lid.
that's an awesome tip. tysm
Wow, 80k subscribers at the time of this video...not 3/4 of a million! Well deserved and thanks for the helpful prep content. God bless you all.
Congrats on the 80,000+. Really enjoy your videos and helpful info. Thanks again and have a Blessed Day.
It's great to see your still very pertinent information with the straightforward, no bs delivery being given from 7 years ago. Also, you had just crossed 80k subscribers. You've gone 2.5x that now, so congratuations! And thank you for what you do!
I live in an apartment so I have limited storage options. I just picked up three water bricks because they are able to be stacked and picked up a water spigot for them. Plan to store them in back corner of closet. Will have to check out the water bob you mentioned in the video had not heard or seen that before.
Congrats on 80,000 subscribers!
You shared a lot of good information in this video. Something I recently learned is that you should not use "splashless" bleach (as pictured in your video) for sanitizing. The splashless formula is not used for disinfecting and actually states that on the bottle. Make sure to buy pure bleach for this purpose.
Thank you for you well thought out and informative videos. I live in a hurricane zone and have learned some water storage lessons the hard way, such as the weakness that exists in the seam that holds the gallon water jugs together. I have had some jugs only last 6 months or so and then they started leaking. Also, I have learned that different brands of bleach loose their potency rather fast and are not a dependable long storage prep for water filtration and require more frequent rotation. Thanks again.
Fortunately, here in the UK, on average, it rains 260 days of the year (with no dry season) and the whole country sits on a reliable watertable. If that wasn't enough, no part of the Uk is more than 15 to 30 minutes walk away from a non-drying fresh water course, pond, lake, spring, pool or reservoir, and the average Brit is less than 10 minutes walk away. The average sized UK home's roof, with drainage pipe connected to a water collection barrel/butt system (front and rear - 2 to 4 butts), will collect a sufficient supply of potable water to maintain a family of 5 without the need to source water from the aquifer/water course in all but the most unusually prolonged dry spell (the last such event happened in the UK in 1976).
On the downside, when the zombie apocalypse does hit, we'll probably be fighting off the undead in the pissing rain!
What happens when a drought hits, or the streets are not safe? The other comment covered a lot of other points as well.
If you lift your sofa up on blocks, buy a single bed sized bed skirt to match your decor. It will hide what's under the sofa. Same for the bed. Just buy the right size for your bed. Great video. Good info.
+kelly smith yeh, that's a great idea to make the bed and couch easier to look at. thanks for sharing that tip.
Most couches have fabric under them. If you take that off that will usually give you about a foot of space. Also I created a box storage bed frame. You can make them as big as you would like. Only took about 4 hrs (had Home Depot do all the cuts for me). wrapped it in fabric put a skirt on it and you cannot even tell. We have never had a guest ask about it, or figure it out.
I heart the secret stofa stash idea!
Great idea, especially for people living in apartments.
First time I have seen a video pointing out that your water heater is a source of stored water. Great video!
It’s fun going back to these and seeing how things were half the price now only 5 years ago
fun????
55 gal drums are $50. That's almost half price.
@@mr.rubicon1193 where? Looking at my amazon order for the same thing I ordered last year it’s gone up to $130 now
@scottbowers6764 I have an ad for Walmart. $48.99 but it's the next town south of me for in store pickup only Blackfoot, ID.
i like you videos as a person who lives in a very small rural town 150ish people my prepping is a whole different world
A couple of things on the video, cursed being about storage containers. An option I rarely see mentioned in relation to last-minute water storage is your junk containers. Most of us have numerous totes or tubs of junk that we keep stored around the house and in the garage. In shtf situation, dump all those old ice skates and light bulbs and clothing that's two sizes too small and fill those containers with water. In our household I know I could easily store several hundred gallons of additional water in these tubs totes and buckets. While this may not be the cleanest, you can always decontaminate and or filter the water for drinking later as necessary, but also this would be good without any further treatment just for sanitary use. The other aspect is where to put your stored. In my case I cannot store water outside or in the garage because of extreme freezing temperatures in winter. This very much limits where I can store water, and the best solution I found is in the crawl space underneath the house. It's kind of a pain getting it there , but it is a dark place that doesn't freeze.
I like the 30 gallon barrels that are almost as space efficient as 55 gal. barrels. At 250 lbs, they can be tipped over and rolled around, then with help from a webbing strap, pulled back up right.
I found they are easy to roll up a ramp in to a vehicle. I do this by wrapping a rope around the barrel to use it like a pulley. By combining the 2:1 advantage of the rope around the barrel and the ramp it is surprisingly easy to to do. A second person to steer the barrel up the ramp is helpful. I use two 8 foot long 2x10 boards as the ramp to load a small pickup. You may want longer to load a larger truck.
Here's some options: Coleman 5 gallon water storage: amzn.to/2qlMBUs and Water Brick storage containers which can slide under your bed: amzn.to/2rfDPZq
the kind of cleaners used for home brewing are excellent for sanitizing containers.
Clear containers should be kept too as they can be used to uv pasteurize water.
When considering safety also get some powdered chlorine, the kind used to shock treat hot tubs & pools.
that stuff is superb as a general sanitizer as well as an excellent aide to water treatment.
Word to the wise though, chlorine and iodine bond to organic material, filter before treatment 😊
55 gallon water storage was $68 on Amazon when this was uploaded. Now it’s $116. Wow
It's now 150. November 2021
Lord
I bought 8 of them from Wal Mart about 6 years ago. They were each $35.00. I priced them again about 1 year ago and was stunned - they were $80.00. !!!!!!!!!!!! And now the price is unbelievable ! I guess that just proves the old adage -He who hesitates is lost, or maybe , Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
Water Brick storage containers. 3.5 gallons. They are flat, so they are easy to slide under a bed or sofa.
that is a great recommendation. didn't know about those until you mentioned them. checked out their website: www.waterbrick.org/. definitely gonna have to do a video on these in the future. these could make storing water in an apartment all the easier. thanks for recommending these!
City Prepping so on ur vid.....which I thought was great and very informative btw. You said you use a water filtration system to filter out fluoride. is that because it has been said that fluoride in our water can cause cancer? At least that's what I have seen in another video. hope to hear back from you! keep up the good work!
I've looked at these and seen reviews but they are very pricey. :(
Flouride is not known to cause cancer. There is no good reason to filter out flouride. It is there to help prevent cavities. Also, he is not filtering out the flouride. Not unless he is doing reverse osmosis. The molecule is far too small for a Berkey or anything else to filter it. Only RO will do that. There are lots of conspiracy theories about flouridation (see Dr Strangelove) but that's all they are: conspiracy theories.
Tracy Reed Damn dogg! your a pilot too?
congrats on blowing past 81,000!!! keep up the good work!! I'm one of those who live in a small apartment and on disability so I gotta do it on the cheap til I can upgrade to something better
+thanks for the feedback. i'm sure your situation is definitely challenging but keep at it!
I never understood why people think you're crazy for being prepared.
It's not being prepared that's crazy it's probably some of the reasons given.
They never reads Noah's ark
Eric Jones maybe it’s because water literally falls from the sky AND comes out of the ground 😶
Because they're blue pilled.
Fear. They don't want to even have to think about prepping because they fear living during a disaster scenario so they scoff at anyone who talks about it. You'll find this kind of backwards behavior is prevalent in much of a coddled society.
I live in a 1 bedroom apt,
And I am using glass gallon wine jugs,
I washed thoroughly, and they are in the back of my cabinets through out my apt.
Are these ok to use for long term.
Please advise thank you for a informative video.
You can use food and water safe ziplock bags then seal ends with wax paper on top and then seal again. Next store in a apple or strong box with a black heavy duty garbage bag stored inside. Their more portable, much cheaper, and you can adjust sizes.
If you have high ceilings, build a higher floor and make it where you can store under it, like they do in bunkers.
That “splashless” Clorox you included in your video has (VERY) fine print on the back that says it does not disinfect. My family had been using it to clean countertops, etc for years. Just discovered (in the middle of a pandemic) that all our clorox is useless. It is a laundry product only. Not concentrated enough to kill germs. Not for disinfecting water at all - and that is what I currently have in my earthquake kit also - pretty great news, thanks Clorox!
Not true
Bleach kills lots of germs
Better than Lysol
I use a 250 gallon fresh water fish tank equipped with a fluidized ceramic filter system and a 500 GPH UV purifier. the entire system has been designed to run on 12 volts so it can be powered by my 4 year old power wheels batteries that are quickly recharged by our portable solar panels. Fish tank is also positioned in the house near a window to allow for refilling with rain runoff from roof. We also have bottled water stored in several locations throughout the house and have an additional 500 gallons in our storage building in the backyard in 50 gallon barrels. Water is the most important, least expensive and easiest prep item out there and it is also the most overlooked.
Tony Kinsey ...your last sentence is so true. I believe one of the reasons is because there is so much conflicting information on water storage. If it all worked then you could pick the best for you. But, it's the conflicting information. store it this way, not that way, put this in the water, don't put this in the water...you get my drift.
stagnation is another factor to consider with a long term barrel set up. How does that 'water preserver' work?
Thanku very useful
I’m in Scotland freezing temps and realising I’m not prepared.
That's ok Kate, realizing is the first step. You'll find so much help and encouragement in these CZcams sites. Good Luck to you on your journey into being better prepared!
I feel paralyzed with the whole thing (lack of a better word). We are eating clean Whole Foods with our new vita mix. But not prepared. Berkey yes! But not water prepared at all‼️‼️😂😂 wishing you well. God bless you. Oregon USA 🇺🇸👏👏🙏♥️
Thanks for providing perspective to those of us who "thought" they lived in a small dwelling. Our relatively small Cape house is still larger than most apartments. Complaining less now.
yeh, i really fell bad for those in apartments...not much space. after making the video i like you felt a lot more grateful for all the space i have in my "average" american home (2300 square feet). thanks for the feedback!
Xcellent vid on water storage. Just a note though, a gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds so be sure that your structure underneath can handle the weight of multiple containers, and if you have to move containers be xtra vigilant about back injuries. A pulled muscle in your back could cause you to become a sitting duck.
I love your channel, I just made my own video on the subject. Keep up the great work!
thanks for checking out my channel!
Saw video from Michelle Jorgenson from Stake Self Reliance saying to put several cases of the bottled water under each person's bed. She recommends arrowhead brand name. This is good for people in small apartment.
Definitely will order products thru u. Ur a great resource.
As always an informative and enjoyable vid. Thanks
thanks for the kind words and glad you enjoyed it!
RacSlapBang Klimt
This is a little off subject but it's interesting. When I was learning another language I was reminded of my use of words. You mentioned hot water heater. There's no such thing in that context. If the water is already hot why do you need to heat it? It as I was reminded is a water heater.
Another amazing useful video, thanks!
We're fortunate to have a large cool basement area away from any direct sunlight. We have a variety of water storage containers. My wife always purchases several 1-GAL distilled water jugs when grocery shopping, which we rotate out and use. It is easier for her to handle and she likes to keep about 10-20 of those on hand at all times. I 'm increasing our 5-GAL storage capacity (plastic and box), because it is easier to move, especially for my wife. We are also adding several 55-GAL drums this year. Good video as always and your detailed links are great!
Emmett Whitten ..Can you tell me why you buy distilled water instead of regular drinking water? thanks
Distillation removes almost all impurity through the boiling process... and she prefers it 😊
Emmett Whitten distilled water tastes like crap
My Father camps a lot & he reckons, if one needs to carry water & don't have a container, condoms work really well. They are sturdy, portable & small.
Greetings from South Africa
Keep these great videos coming.
My water storage so far is 6 Secpter/LCI 5 gallon military containers and one 2.5 gallon Secpter. I have the smaller container to be able to transport water on foot from local water sources if needed. There are several nearby lakes that I could walk to from my house, and I don't want to be running with a rifle and a 5 gallon jug full of water if things are sketchy outside. I also have a Katadyn pocket pro ceramic filter, two lifestraw large gravity filters, and two life straw small filters. I have several sources of water purifying tablets and chemicals to help treat water. I plan to add two 50 gallon barrels on a rack to my garage soon. My concept is to have enough water on hand to be able to stay indoors for a week or two if needed depending on the disaster/emergency. I like the military containers because I can easily move them to my truck and get out of the area quickly if needed also.
Thanks for another very infomative video. i need to check the ones in the link.
keep up the good work,ur Canadian friend.
thanks for the feedback and glad you enjoyed the video!
Great stuff, thank you so much for this info👍🏼
I am looking at rain water storage myself so definitely any information would help!
Great video as always. So I live in Canada, would it be possible to store the water in the drums, and bury it below the frost line?
I recently moved into a small 1 bedroom apartment, and I drink a lot of water of course. I noticed that Costco now sells a 6 pack of 1 gallon water jugs for about 3 bucks, so whenever I go to Costco and pick up a case to drink, I pick up a second to put away. I want to keep at least 30 gallons on hand, and I am planning on getting a waterbob to keep in the bathroom as well.
that waterbob is very cool... I will get one of those as well... I used to live in Guam and people would keep their tubs filled if they thought a typhoon was coming... there were times when most people on the island were without water for a good several weeks actually, I would imagine during those times theyd go through that water pretty quick, or hopefully they had other water sources... but, what a great additional source of water, I forgot about using the tub... face palm
I purchased 3 1/2 gal. Bricks I’m 70 and just not strong anymore so the smaller water bricked are way easier to move around. Just a thought for elders.
I’m right with you Kathie! I’m 72 and find the water bricks the best. I’ve prepped for years and just now getting involved in water prepping to protect my handicapped sister, 92 year old mom. The three of us gals actually enjoy the process of taking responsibility for ourselves and our unique needs because of age. All the best to you and I hope we never have to use all of our hard work saving water. God Bless.
I've been subscribed to your channel for a while now and after some further research feel I'm ready to start my prepping. I'm going to use the aquabrick system for my urban water storage, I would love to support your channel through an affiliate link for this product on amazon.
15 gallon containers will fit in the corner of most closets (diameter of a 5 gallon water cooler jug and about as tall as 3 of them). You can put a board on one or across two of them and make a shelf. That means that you created extra storage. Put the board on top cover with a table cloth and you cannot even tell it is there.
Thanks lot of good ideas and tips.
I have a 180 liter aquarium with some killerfish. It's a nice undercover storage.
Thanks for the vid, good info is it ok to store water in the plastic container it comes in, and what is the difference between filtering, purification and chemical treatments and show how each one works and which is the best.......thanks
I get my drinking water from my parents place out in the country, they have an artesian well with excellent water. The water here in the city where I live is good for everything else
Great video. So then the storage of clear sealed water bottles in a below grade crawl space is perfect then. No sun, stable temp, and hidden out of site. Thanks. Now i can concentrate on other areas.
You would do well to install some in-line water tanks. Plum them in just like a hot water heater and because water will keep flowing through them you will never need to cycle the water out. While a little sludge may accumulate at the base of them emptying the sludge through the drain port at the bottom is far less arduous then refilling water containers. In addition if you figure out a way to re-pressurize your system you could actually have water go through your plumbing with some of these. If they're stored at an elevation above the appliances being used, like in your attic, then you wouldn't even need to pressurize them; gravity would do it for you. A nice simple little option.
great idea. once i get a house in the country with property, that's my plan: build a water tank up a hill and connect it to the house for that very reason. thanks for sharing that idea.
Thank you the information!
Yep - all true. Personally I have two 750 gallon storage tanks with a wood surround to keep the sun off of them. Alexapure gravity filter will ensure I have clean pure drinking water.
Thanks for the Sawyer product :)
Great video my question is are the off brand name portable water filters as good as the LifeStraw or is only LifeStraw a good one
yea and light weight water pouches about half cup or small water bottles for light carry
Thianks for the info!!!
Extreme conditions for no water: Locate water main low point in urban/ suburban area and dig for it. Probably around 4 foot of soil coverage. Band pipe with saddle and full port ball ball valve looking down at 45 degree angle. Drill out pipe through open valve until water appears. Good luck keeping this a secret. Get a good plumber in your group and you'll get water if there's any to be had.
If one has the land/space would you recommend a good shipping container as a prepped friendly storage solution?
Good one. Thanks.👍
I have gallon milk jugs that I've had put up 8 years. But I have had some that broke down.
If you watch the Provident Prepper, you can also glean interesting information. Having said that, this channel is EXCELLENT. I, too, thought I was being smart with the gallon jugs of water and milk jugs repurposed for water. Heck no! When I checked on them after one year, they totally leaked. I would not drink anything from those. Finances are a significant subject; but, if you are limited $, you can try switching out 2L pop bottles after cleansing them and soaking them for 20 min in a clorox bath. Let them dry and fill. I would not suggest keeping them past 4-5 months. I also ditch the entire cheap plastic bottle at that time and begin the process again. Actually, it’s an ongoing process. Of course date each bottle and don’t trust any bottle past 4-5 months unless it is specifically a heavier plastic marked as this video states. Best bet are any that the video suggests, like water bricks. Follow this fella and you can’t go wrong. Have a wonderful day!
Thank you so much for this video!! Very helpful
you're welcome and thanks for watching!
City Prepping .. have you noticed the conversation is very intense in understanding how to preserve water. It is the most important thing to do and the most complicated , until you get it.
Priceless
Are there any special considerations when storing WELL water long term? Are there any different precautions or procedures from what you mention in the video? Awesome video BTW.
Don't forget to check Graigslist. You can often find the blue water barrels for $20 or so. All you have to do is wash them out (most were used for food grade materials originally)
i know you can get some good deals on CL, but i'm always nervous about them having chemicals previously. makes me nervous adding that water to my gardens if they've had something in them before that could end up in what i eat. i've talked to some preppers that have given me tips on things to check, but i still am not quite confident enough to do it.
An easy way to store water in an apartment or condo, is to stack 12 or 24 packs of 16oz bottles on top of each other. Then cover or conceal it with a decorative cloth. on top put a 1/4 inch piece of glass. this will make a table for the living room or bedroom. To make the table sturdy, it might be good to put plywood between each layer of water.
Huge help thank you.
+myownruin187 you're welcome!
Basement is good option to put put water for long time. Thank you
What’s up City prep! Love your videos. I have a few 5 Gallon Containers I want to use for longterm storage. Would you suggest I still use the Water Preparation drops? It’s out of stock/unavailable through your amazon link.
If you live in a home that sits on a concrete slab, you can put some 55-gallon water barrels in your home or garage and fill them with tap water using an RV fresh water hose. These barrels are very heavy, so are not safe to sit on a wood framed floor and are too heavy to move when filled so you have to be very sure of where you will place them. And if you cannot be sure of keeping your home's temperature above freezing, you should only fill those water barrels no more than two-thirds full to allow for the water to expand when it freezes. If you live in a home that has rain gutters and downspouts, you could set up some 55-gallon barrels to use as rain barrels. Rain water will need to be filtered and treated with tablets designed to make water safe for drinking and then the clean water will need to be stored indoors in clean, food safe plastic bottles. Yes, there are some states or communities that make it illegal to collect rainwater -- no one will be enforcing those laws in a prolonged grid-down a week after the tap water stops flowing, after the code enforcement inspectors cannot refuel their vehicles and everyone is thirsty. And there is no law against owning the supplies and materials you need to construct a rainwater collection system. I would be very careful to conceal a rainwater barrel in such a way that other thirsty people cannot know about it and I would protect it with some kind of bullet-proof barrier (sandbags?) so it cannot be punctured by stray rounds. An ideal source of water is to have a deep water well whose pump is powered by an old fashioned wind mill and/or solar panels. But most people do not even own land much less a water well. Keep in mind that 2 gallons of drinking water per person per day is the bare minimum you should be storing for however many days of disaster you expect may happen. If your plan is to camp beside a freshwater lake, you will still need a way to make that water safe for drinking and a way to store at least a day's worth of clean water, assuming you will be purifying more water each day.
I just finished filling our second 55 gallon barrel last night, and I feel so much better knowing we now have over 100 gallons of emergency water ready to go!
I haven't added anything to the water, and was just planning on swapping the water once a summer. Would this be a good schedule? Or should I be swapping out the water more often/adding things to it to keep it stable for longer?
So I recently started to prep and starting off with water. My question is i bought a drinking water hose and a rv filter to use with it and fill my 55gal. Do I need to add the water preserver still?
can usually find 55gal drums much cheaper at flea markets
For the budget-minded prepper (aka: cash-strapped prepper)
GREAT VIDEO,,
+gene gleeson thanks...glad you liked it.
Awesome video. Just curious, what are your thoughts on "prepping" items such as alcohol? As for barter/trade, medicinal, etc. I have a few idea's and if you haven't already thought about a video. There ya go and if you have questions, ask away.
I keep a 55 gallon drum of water in the attic over the garage. Along with a 50' section of hose. This lets me gravity feed to anywhere I might need it.
thats a great idea... love it! do you know how hot it gets in your attic, at peak heat time? How does the water hold up when it's hot? I live in the desert and am concerned about the heat... but, you might not have the same excessive heat problem... just curious what you know... but, what a fabulous idea! I absolutely love it!
I would like to discuss some things I have come up with for my preps with you sir.
My primary water storage is store bought cases in a closet and my backup is in the garage of reused soda 2L bottles. 2 questions, the store bought has an expiration date. Should I rotate these out? 2nd question, I cleaned and sanitized the 2L bottles with bleach and when I filled them, I put a couple drops of bleach in. Should I reconsider my garage storage also? I'm in the desert also. Thanks!
So awhile back I had a special waterbed. Made sure the plastic was right.. yada yada... that was under my Cal king. Didn't have to worry about moving and out of sight. Long story short my family of 5 had water during a catastrophic water failure in California after weeks of massive wildfires. Used plumbing supplies to create a nice shut off valve. Used grey water to flush etc... purification through distillation. That water bed was the BEST investment ever. Looking for another one or two because it was actually destroyed by a house fire. Saved us from 3 weeks if depending of fema water deliveries.
Clorox Splash-Less is intended for laundry use, and does not disinfect. The back of the jug says not for disinfecting. Clorox makes a different product that says Disinfecting Bleach.
Excellent video! Would appreciate your going into detail on water purification techniques using chlorine, iodine or anything else you'd recommend & detailing how much to use. I have 100 cleaned 2-leader pop bottles that I put 2 drops of chlorine in each and they've been stored in total dark storage area for about 4 years. Are these going to be okay?
I’m not the Pro about this, but I stopped saving them past 4 years and threw them away and started again. Actually, I continue to save them (ongoing process) after their cold water baths with soap and water and 20 minute soak in cold Clorox - 2TBL per Gal water. I don’t add bleach to bottles because we have highly chlorinated water here...can smell it. UGH. The plastic is thin and I’m concerned about the chemical reactions. Just my two cents.
one of option is ultra violet lit bulb inthe woter line and then filter once I saw it and I want it, but I don't know where to buy it.
Some good suggestions, thanks.
I think you're rather silly having a hot water heater, though. If the water is already hot, why would you want to heat it? Personally, I have a water heater. ;) (Just want you to know that I truly am listening!)
Heres an idea. A water colection kit. For those who cant store large amounts of water. I live in florida with many sources of stagnant swamp water around. And no room to store water. Maybe a small kit, for gathering water and making it sanitary. Ive been working on one that would fit into a small carry toolbox size but could use some ideas.
Great video.
+Bill Powers thnx!
One question that I haven't heard anybody address is the issue of artesian wells. A couple miles from my house is an artesian well which flows freely 24/7 365. I've often seen people gathering water here & wondered if that water also needs to be filtered & purified? Thanks I have an interesting history with water. While I was growing up, my house got water via a spring. My parents didn't filter or purify this & I grew up without any health issues from it although I do consider myself lucky. Currently, I have a well which I hope to connect to a solar pump in the future. I spent about 5 months without utilities of any kind due to a serious financial hardship. It was difficult & I missed the water more than I missed the power.
Well I just found you today but I subbed and hit the bell:D I learned a lot of good things in here. I save water in old milk and bleach jugs to flush the toilets.
Thank you♥
You're welcome!
Our detached garage is subject to freezing in the winter. Can we still store water in barrels there? What adjustments need to be made?
Hi. Thank you for an enjoyable and informative video.
One question though... You say don't store water in clear plastic containers if they are exposed to light as this will encourage bacteria to grow. Is it not the case that UV light actually kills bacteria?
Thanks you
Thanks
I use 5 gallon Poland water jugs from store at &7.99 each I have 18 of them
I live in Arizona and the garages get hot in the summer months. What temperature would you say is too hot to store water in food grade water barrels? They will be out of direct sunlight but I can’t escape the heat of the summer months
Im probably a bit late to the party here, but if some could help me with this that would be great!
I have been thinking of water storage for a while so i got some jam buckets from work, this have a number 5 instead of a 2 and they say PP, now my question is would those be good for water storage if kept away from sunlight ?
great stuff !
+Ciro Alpha Lyon thanks!
I see you have two more raised bed! Good luck with your plants!
thanks. i'm gonna start working on building the box for the compost pile next. already shredding paper, collecting lawn clippings and saving food scraps. i want that really rich soil.
City Prepping Nice starting to get into gardening myself.