PREP Water Storage Long Term

RCSAR

Veteran Member
I want to store around 2,000 gallons of potable water above ground in a shaded area.
What do I need to have and to know to keep it drinkable long term?

Plastic or metal tank?
Chemicals and/or filters needed?
Other info I do not have a clue about.

Conditions
110 in the summer
As low as 10 degrees in the winter.
 

NoDandy

Has No Life - Lives on TB
What is your source: Well, city water, spring ?

How far from your house do you plan to store it?

Is it going to be tied into your house system, or separate?

We have a 3,000 gal plastic tank. Well pumps into the tank, then water is gravity fed to house. Only pump is in the well. No need for pressure pump. We built a small barn like structure around it, protection from elements, etc. It also protects electrical connections.
 

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
What is your source: Well, city water, spring ?

How far from your house do you plan to store it?

Is it going to be tied into your house system, or separate?

We have a 3,000 gal plastic tank. Well pumps into the tank, then water is gravity fed to house. Only pump is in the well. No need for pressure pump. We built a small barn like structure around it, protection from elements, etc. It also protects electrical connections.

This is the way to do it if you want a constant turnover of the water so it's always fresh. Works great if you don't live in a freeze zone.
 

L.A.B.

Goodness before greatness.
I have a 525 gallon FDA Poly-tank. I've kept it full with six month total flush cycles between 1998 and 2007. Between 2007 and current time, I have let the water sit. In 2007 fluoride was added to the drinking water in this area of So-Cal. Below is how I processed it in each of the 6 month refill cycles, and last fill in 2007.

After receiving the tank new from Mc Master-Carr Supply Company I took a spray bottle with water and bleach and sprayed the interior though the 10 or 12" diameter screw cap on top, then rinsed out with another few gallons of non-treated or processed tap water right from the hose.

A 525 gallon poly-tank empty weighs maybe less than 30 lbs. I'm not sure of the weight, I just know it is too easy to man handle empty. Full of water, that same tank now weights about 4,375 pounds; just under 2.2 tons. That type of weight requires a nice sturdy platform, mine was built with atypical floor framing wood product, and metal clips or joist hangers where required. The 18" or slightly higher platform elevation makes for easy work sliding a 7 gallon Gerry Type Jug under the poly hand valve you will install later for dispersing the water as needed.

For my water filtration, I chose a 5 micron pre filter, a .5 secondary filter, and a UV light purifier for pasturizing the micro creepy-crawlies (virus-bacteria) and a long list of everything in between. The system has been used as a fill and forget type of operation, but I have piped in with hand valves and additional flex hose, ports and connections for use in conjunction with a 12 VDC timer for running the tanks water supply in a circulation mode through the addition of a 12 VDC pump, and a 2nd UV purifier which is also 12 VDC. The addition of those pieces would essentially turn my static supply, into one that circulates on specified time segments, for weekly or bi-weekly or monthly polishing.

You don't have to go full water boy on your project. I just enjoy hobbies that serve well.

As test ever six months before I released my 6 month batch banks of water I would drink a 20 oz tumbler. I never had a problem with it. No ill effects. The water now held for 9 years has been more or an experiment on seeing if it would discolor or green up. It has not as it looks like the day I processed it. Will I drink my nine year old vintage batch like my previous 20 oz tumbler test... No. Not without processing it in some form.

Oh, one more thing. Clean bleach (no dyes perfumes ect) was added to the first 50 gallons processed into the fill tank. I went online for the number of teaspoons per number of gallons for clear water. Those notes are in my water house, so I don't have them handy. The tank is in the garage in a room of its own, in the dark. Temps never go below freezing around here. Never much over 86 for that matter either.

Hope that helps some.
 
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