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essentials list
water
The water basics
For fear of overstating how important water is... Well, ever read Dune? It is all around us normally, of course, in a way that means we don't think about it. But the first time you turn on the tap and nothing comes out, it's terrifying, a reverberation of olden times. Where are you going to get water? Just look at Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Residents were drinking out of polluted puddles, desperate.
So, more than anything, figuring out water solutions NOW is essential. It's one of those things in which a little planning — and buying the right gear — will make all the difference.
The approach is actually simple, and two-pronged:
Store water away today — and prepare to make clean water tomorrow
As such, the things you need pretty much fall into two categories:
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Things to store your water in.
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Things that can make dirty water drinkable.
Simple enough, right?
For more info, see Water 101 in our Advice section.
The first time you turn on the tap and nothing comes out... It's terrifying, a reverberation going back to olden times. Where are you going to get water?
water Storing must-haves
If you live in an apartment...
Space is tight for those of us who live in apartments in the city. So you need water storage that can stack on top of each other in places like closets or — even better — under the bed. For that second option, we really like the Water Brick. It comes in TK sized and TK sized, and you can slide them right under a bed frame. Three-gallon containers are also easy enough to haul around to another location (like a car) if need be. But it's also worth investing in at least one 7-gallon TK, as well. We fit ours in a bottom shelf in the kitchen. It has a hidden spigot inside so there's nothing to break.
Why not just buy jug water gallons from the grocery store? They're fine in a pinch, but they evaporate. We had a collection of them stored in a dry basement, and came back several months later to find them almost empty.
The best stackable water storage solutions
If you have more space (like a house)...
Water takes up less space than you'd think, but still, a 55-gallon barrel isn't inconsiderable. Particularly if you store two. But it will mean that you won't have to worry about drinking water needs for six months or so.
You can fill the up with TK 55 -gallon with a (clean) hose, and that water will be good for at least a year. It also comes with TK adn TK adn TK.
An important note: Do not place any plastic barrel direclty on concrete (like your garage floor), as chemicals from the concrete can leach into the water itself. Isntead place it on two-by-fours or, better, a roller system like this, so you can move it around if need be.
The best way to store LOTS of water
how to Make dirty water clean
No matter how long you store water... you're going to run out of it eventually. So...
Once upon a time, making dirty water clean meant boiling it, or throwing in iodine tablets or a thimbful of bleach. All those still work. But, lean on technology and the wonder world of filters. Items like the LifeStraw will take out both bacteria and pollutants, TK TK TK.
LifeStraw is our personal go-to product, though we've used others. We've spent a week in the lakes of Minnesota sipping out of them, in Tk adn TK. There are three versions we're presenting here. The Family filter would be perfect for an apartment or similar; we strongly suggest buying one of the LifeStraw TK for personal use in your Evacuation Kit — you'll want one for each person... and the Mission has 5 liters (or up to 12), and will last for years.
A filter like the family-sized Life Straw is KEY. It means you can CREATE clean water, even on the move.
The ultimate water filtration systems for each shelter situation
A few caveats when it comes to polluted water
Read the instructions on a LifeStraw product, and you'll notice it says not to use downwater from lifestock, and that it WON'T take out chemical pollutants like TK and TK. So, Tk and TK and Tk.
Backup systems are a good thing, so about that bleach...
Things around the house can save your arse. Those include coffee filters, for getting out loose sediment, and unscented bleach. Use two or three drops for a liter of water, let it sit. TK and Tk. Anyhow, do consider buying a six-pack of unscented bleach like the one found here on Amazon, and storing it in your basement. Once a bottle is opened, it will remain good for about six months.