We talked a little about water in living off the grid I would like to go into that just a little more,
As I said before we all know how vital it is to have a source of clean water available to us at all times. But when the power goes out, how can we access it?
Water is the most crucial element for staying alive. It's more important than food. But the hardest to store.
Everyone must have enough safe drinking water, which generally means one gallon per person per day. Needs will differ according to age, physical condition, lifestyle and climate.
This doesn't include water for cooking, bathing, washing dishes and clothes, and pets or other animals. Large dogs may need as much as a gallon a day, while cats can do well with just a pint a day. If you have other livestock your water needs obviously soar. But in that case, water taken directly from a river or stream, without purification, will probably be okay.
I have read that untreated water straight from the tap should keep for six months when stored in clean, durable containers. However, it must be changed periodically, I have also read that it will last several years. I do not rotate my water and haven’t had a problem with it. When you get ready to use the water if it is flat tasting just pour it between a couple of glasses to work some air back in to it and it will be fine. Bacteria-free water, which means treatment with bleach or other compounds, will keep up to several years. Heat, light, deterioration of the container and other factors can cut this figure substantially. You can store water in a lot containers Soda bottles work great, milk jugs are ok they are not as strong a soda bottles but if you keep them out of the sunlight they should be fine, juice bottles, you can even fill your empty canning jars (they say not to use bleach bottles but I know a lot of people who do) Remember when filling what ever you use that if you store them outside in a shed or out building to leave room for expansion if it freezes Water should be stored as far as possible from paint and petroleum-based products, acids or anything with strong odors such as fertilizer or common household cleaning solutions.
A well with a hand pump would be ideal. Unfortunately, not all people live on land with a well we are relying on a few other sources for water. Since we are fortunate enough to have running water on our property, that’s gonna be our main source.I am wanting to make this homemade water filtration system, so if we do have to drink from the creek, at least we will know it’ll be safe and I will use some of the other ideas listed below. You'll need to locate at least one other water source, since even several hundred gallons of stored water won't last long. We have a large water tank that we want to hook up to a gutter system to catch rain water. Then we can use it to water the garden, and to use in the house for toilets and washing but it would be good for drinking and bathing water as well. If you can get at least one rain barrel installed, it’ll be a good start.
Assume any water not stored or purchased is contaminated, especially in perilous or unstable times. If you can find only marginal water, first strain the debris through a paper towel, clean cloth or coffee filter, then use one of the following methods.
Boiling
Short of using a very high-quality water filter, this is the most reliable method for killing microbes and parasites. Bring water to a rolling boil and keep it simmering for at least several minutes. Add one minute of boiling to the initial 10 minutes for every 1,000 feet above sea level. Cover the pot to shorten boiling time and conserve fuel.
Liquid chlorine bleach
Use 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite that is free of soap or phosphates. To treat one gallon of water, add eight drops (1/8 teaspoon) of bleach to clear water and 16 drops (1/4 teaspoon) to cloudy water.
Hydrogen peroxide
This is a suitable disinfectant, as it oxidizes the water. Peroxide degrades even more rapidly than chlorine, and it needs to be kept in a dark bottle that blocks out sunlight. Potency could be an issue if it has been stored for a long period.
Testing for peroxide residual levels is more difficult than testing for chlorine content. Residuals need to be measured to ensure that disinfection is thorough.
The bacteria content of your water source is a major factor to monitor. There are various methods for testing the bacteriological level, but measuring residual levels is a much simpler task.
"Residual" is what remains from the original dosage. For example, if one cup of water has 20 parts per million of impurities in it, the disinfectant dosage needs to be at least 20 PPM but no more than 25 PPM to prevent ill effects. A dosage of 23 PPM of the active chlorine content will have a 3 PPM free
residual while showing a 23 PPM total chlorine level.
Peroxide would potentially have the benefit of breaking down to oxygen and water, but its use is also made more difficult by that tendency.A common calculation for daily usage is the required dosage in parts per million times the volume treated in gallons divided by 120,000, which is a constant number. This will give you the number of pounds needed for a particular dosage.
Purification tablets
They are either iodine or chlorine based. One or two tablets will purify a quart of water depending on the contamination level and length of time allowed for treated water to stand. Follow instructions on the package. These tablets are among the more convenient and affordable ways to purify water. Not every brand of purification products (especially iodine tablets) will kill giardia.
Stabilized oxygen
People who have used this method generally prefer it to chlorine or iodine. Both treatments have shown some side effects if used for an extended period of time, and iodine and chlorine give water an off taste. Stabilized oxygen doesn't have side effects or add unpleasant flavors to water, and it also offers health benefits.
For long-term storage, treat one gallon of chlorinated water by adding 10 drops of stabilized oxygen. Add 20 drops if the water hasn't been chlorinated. Use five to 20 drops per eight-ounce
Before setting up a rain barrel, check with your county. I know that there are some counties in CO that that will not allow you to do this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip.
Delete