Question on storing tap water

[Towanda]

I'm also in the no milk jug catagory because of what Towanda said. Towanda is wise and has tought me much here and I'd like to derail the thread for a moment to thank her for that.

Aww, shucks.

[duodecima]

I'm also in the no milk jug catagory because of what Towanda said. Towanda is wise and has tought me much here and I'd like to derail the thread for a moment to thank her for that.

Just a fwiw re: milk jugs - they're clearly not as good as the soda-bottle type bottles, which is what I have my official emergency supply in. However, I have this fish tank, for which I buy reverse osmosis water, which they sell in gallon "milk" jugs, and then refill for a lesser cost. I've been using the same jugs for up to 18 months now, no issues. They are stored out of light, on shelving, not stacked on each other. Be wary of milk jugs BUT a higher failure rate is not a 100% failure rate, especially if kept in good conditions. If that's what a person has available, it's basically a free way to start some water storage.

[RecOnifer]

ZAG,

Great post. Thanks for the tons of good Intel and suggestions. I especially like the barricade idea.

[Polie]

not sure if you can get the same prices here, but barrels are CHEAP:

5gal=$5
15gal=$16
30gal=$20
55gal=$20
275gal=$170

2x 30 gallon containers are easy to store, even in an apartment and the 55 gallon is easy to put in the garage. One or two 55 gallon barrels would be all the water would 'should' need.

[zombieapocalypsegame]

#1 priority should always be water, without a doubt.

Water you have to treat is better than no water at all, as long as you have the means to do so. Treated water that is immediately usable is better. Water that is immediately useable and portable has the most utility, but I wouldn't necessarily call portable water better. That said, milk jugs that leach plastic or that just go brittle and crack/break will be a big disappointment if that was your primary storage means.

Water that replenishes itself is excellent. And water that replenishes itself without electricity is ideal. That's why when I build my house on my to-be-acquired land, I'm having a well dug, even if I can/do get city water. I'm also bringing my rain barrel system there too. Use whatever you can for storage - just make sure you have a RELIABLE supply even if it's contained in dixie cups.

ZAG