I could really use a break from work lol
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I mentioned this in another thread, but if you want a cheap solution for storing water then you can buy a second-hand 52 gallon pickle containers in most states for about about $20.
They are huge, tough, plastic containers about 22 inch diameter and 40 inches high with massive screw-on lids. Clean them out with washing detergent (you'll need a rag on a stick or children to do it properly), fill 'em up with tap water and seal the lid. It doesn't matter if they sit in the sun for 20 years because you'll chlorinate that water when you need it. Also, don't bother drilling a tap into them because that only risks leakage if the seals degrade - instead just open the screw-on lid and lower a length of hose until it touches the bottle, block the end with your thumb, withdraw the hose a little so you're not siphoning silt... and water will flow.
52 gallons of water will last an adult for 100 days without rationing.
I'd recommend either considering buying some large latex basins to collect rainwater or renovate one of your down-pipes so the final length can be disconnected and redirected to a basin.
I'd advise against connecting your down-pipe directly to a water butt because the first downpour after a dry period will wash an incredible amount of dirt and birdshit and crud off your roof and into your drinking water. Some people create elaborate mechanisms to catch and redirect the first downpour, but I think the simplest solutions are always the best... and the best solution is either to buy six huge latex basins or redirect your roof down-pipe only after the first downpour.
Based on a little experimentation and the size of your family, you'll quickly figure out which solution is best for you.
Don't forget that your pool chlorine will allow you to treat river water. So a few jerry cans might be a wise investment too. Jerry cans are 5 x as heavier when full of water than you expect, so never plan to move more than one at a time.
Yeah, I have several jerry cans full of gasoline right now... stabilized with STA-BIL for long-term storage. And you're right, they are damned heavy. I see movies with operators running with two jerry cans...um, yeah, right.
I have one 52-gal container that is right now filled with tap water from way back, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to empty it, clean out the container, and start again with rainwater. Good advice on the "first downpour" from a gutter, I live in some woods and I'm always blowing off crap from the roof from the overhanging trees. But I'm thinking that collecting rain from the gutters might not be the best solution, but rather make some kind of cone that fits directly on the container and catches rain directly. Still working out the technical issues of that...material, how large, etc. But it's a work in progress.
Ahhhhh ha ha ha. Yup. I've seen those movies too and those scenes were exactly what I was thinking about when I wrote that comment.
It's good to mention such reality for anyone else reading this thread. :-)
Before you do that, perhaps it would be a good experiment to take a sample of that water to see how much algae is in it, chlorinate it and wait a few days and then take another sample to compare...
...the unspoken truth about water treatment is all the "stuff" you kill generally only adds nutrition and protein to the water supply. It's best not to dwell on it, but it's the truth.
I bought six of these massive latex basins for rainwater collection. They are huge, rubbery, two foot diameter, slot inside each other and cost $5.50 USD each.
I'll be experimenting with them during the next rainfalls to see if they offer an easier solution than butchering one of my down-pipes, but mathematics suggests they will be a fantastic and easy solution.
I'm currently keeping them on the top of my prepper pantry with electrical equipment inside: they effectively take up no space that way when you buy an additional basin and store stuff in it.
Perhaps a similar solution would be better for you than a cone? Just put them outside when rain is forecast and fill your water butt then put 'em back into storage.
Where did you buy those rubbery 2-ft containers at $5.50 ea?