SHTF preparedness

[tango5]

I picked up a few 55 gallon water drums from another member yesterday, thanks Sammy! Anyways, my wife asks what we need them for, i said in case of a disaster where we have no drinking water, or if the water is tainted, we have fresh water to use for cooking, hygiene, and for drinking. She thought i was going over board. But i would rather be safe than sorry if the SHTF. Then my sister in-law comes over since my wife was watching her rug rat. Her sister asks if i have been smoking weed and being paranoid. I told her, well when a disaster hits and you have no water or anything for survival, she is not welcomed here, i thought it was a little harsh, but she deserved it, lol. I know other people here are prepared for a disaster or if the zombies attack, but are we a small group, please tell me im not alone. Who else here is prepared and to what level? So far i have 110 gallons of fresh water in sealed drums, a case of MRE's, and im slowly stock piling ammo, and plenty of canned foods.

[Rickfifty]

In earthquake country, you need to have some water on hand. Your SIL will be thinking twice as she's standing in some chaotic line waiting for some water bottles handed out by FEMA....after a few days.
I also picked up some barrels from Sammy a couple years ago. Thanks Sammy!

[hawk1]

Just tell them, No water for you!

[tango5]

In earthquake country, you need to have some water on hand. Your SIL will be thinking twice as she's standing in some chaotic line waiting for some water bottles handed out by FEMA....after a few days.
I also picked up some barrels from Sammy a couple years ago. Thanks Sammy!

Good example! The barrels i got were a little dusty from sitting outside, i washed them up and they look like brand new barrels. The rubber O-ring sealed caps are in perfect condition too.

[POLICESTATE]

What did you do to ensure the water doesn't go bad while it's sitting in the drums?

[Grakken]

im interested to know as well. I onl have a 7 gallon water jug that I keep in the bottom of the pantry. I change the water bout once a year. When I do, it never looks funny or smells but I wonder if the water is still good. I would imagine so but i'm not an expert. Hopefully someone will explain or have a good solution to long term water storage...Also, how much were the drums?

[tango5]

What did you do to ensure the water doesn't go bad while it's sitting in the drums?

1/8 teaspoon of chlorine for every gallon of water to treat it, change out the water every 6 months or so.
More info is here: http://www.nationalterroralert.com/safewater/

[tango5]

im interested to know as well. I onl have a 7 gallon water jug that I keep in the bottom of the pantry. I change the water bout once a year. When I do, it never looks funny or smells but I wonder if the water is still good. I would imagine so but i'm not an expert. Hopefully someone will explain or have a good solution to long term water storage...Also, how much were the drums?

Its a good idea to boil the water before drinking to ensure its safe. If its bottled water you buy, it can be stored for a year, water you contain and store should be used or swapped out every 6 months.

[pennys dad]

smoking pot dont make u paranoid it makes you lazy, your obviously on crack, now that makes you paranoid. As for our home we have a pantry stocked with can food, water and ammo. I am thinking about adding whiskey for battering with the folks in withdrawls

[Dangerous1]

I remember reading somewhere that distilled water is more "stable" for the long haul.

[SeanO]

Did the same thing w/the same results from the wife. We have a small place but have 75 gallons or so. She thought I was nuts until we didn't have water for 2 1/2 days due to some construction worker nailing the water line w/a backhoe. Now she doesn't say much. We were lucky too since our 2 kids weren't born yet so we didn't have to worry about them in the whole equation. Now we have water, food, batteries, meds, etc...

[JDoe]

...please tell me im not alone. Who else here is prepared and to what level? So far i have 110 gallons of fresh water in sealed drums, a case of MRE's, and im slowly stock piling ammo, and plenty of canned foods.

Your not alone. We store water, a little more than you and oh about two years ago when the water supply was cut off for a few days to our neighborhood we had water enough for cooking, cleaning and showering (our drinking water is delivered) so while our neighbors were dirty, unable to flush their toilets we were comfortable, smelling like roses and smiling.

Being prepped to me doesn't mean be tacticool and I wouldn't eat an MRE if you paid me.

Increasing the amount of supplies you use on a regular basis would be a good start. Don't forget stuff like soap, t.p. and other things you use on a daily basis right now. Not only can you use everything you stock up on but if something happens you'll be prepped. Just don't be buying anything camo or special purpose camping or survival that you could use a cheaper everyday product for.

[bombadillo]

I've got in reality about 3-6 months of food for my wife and I alone, LOTS of Spam, enough propane to last me 3-6 months, backpacking supplies to ditch the truck in a last effort to hike where we need to be albeit supplies are going to suck to get there. I think that more importantly than having water stored before hand is to be able to filter water afterwards. I NEED to buy a good filter that will go for 6 months to a year before filter replacement. Only have the basics: Water (or filtration), food, shelter, guns/ammo, the rest is gravy after that. Make sure you have ways to eat, and don't have a bunch of dehydrated packets and no pots to cook them in etc.

[odysseus]

You are not alone.

Anybody who lives in earthquake country that still only would depend on the grid for their resources is only fooling themselves. For those that were hanging on the fence on the subject, if Katrina didn't wake them up nothing will.

[M1A Rifleman]

I picked up a few 55 gallon water drums from another member yesterday, thanks Sammy! Anyways, my wife asks what we need them for, i said in case of a disaster where we have no drinking water, or if the water is tainted, we have fresh water to use for cooking, hygiene, and for drinking. She thought i was going over board. But i would rather be safe than sorry if the SHTF. Then my sister in-law comes over since my wife was watching her rug rat. Her sister asks if i have been smoking weed and being paranoid. I told her, well when a disaster hits and you have no water or anything for survival, she is not welcomed here, i thought it was a little harsh, but she deserved it, lol. I know other people here are prepared for a disaster or if the zombies attack, but are we a small group, please tell me im not alone. Who else here is prepared and to what level? So far i have 110 gallons of fresh water in sealed drums, a case of MRE's, and im slowly stock piling ammo, and plenty of canned foods.

How are you preserving the water?