I have NG and electric. Been super lucky to not have lost it at all.
CHAT Well, my city water is gone
- Thread starter Dennis Olson
- Start date
Lurker
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20Gauge
TB Fanatic
I learned that a number of commercial buildings have a spigot on the outside due to building codes, but they use a special handle to turn on.
I swear someone here posted a picture of it, but that is a good thing to have if you live in a suburban / city area. It could get you water when none is normally available.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Do not use something this unless it is literally a life or death emergency. Water theft is highly illegal in some places.
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
Yep that was it. I agree, but it could be a lifesaver. That is why it was mentioned.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I know. Just supplying the mandatory warning. I probably have several different types in my emergency kit.
Tex88
Veteran Member
Lot easier to sweep snow from a car roof into a bucket than scraping it off the ground. Much better, cleaner water that’s still not fit for drinking, but can be used for flushing the shitter without clogging it.
Tex88
Veteran Member
I went to Walgreens earlier today to use the bathroom, and properly brush my teethand wash my face with HOT water from a faucet. Then threw hotdogs and bratwurst on the grill. Damn, hot food is nice!
Michiana MaJo
Deceased
PLEEZE don’t anyone melt snow for drinking water! I listened to a broadcaster warn against doing that because the snow would have so many contaminants in it.....the air has so many pollutants. Think about just the chemtrails from airplanes. There are minute aluminum particles spewed from them and who knows what else they contain.
Then, there are industrial contaminants and particles from auto emission, just for starters.
I also wouldn’t give a pet melted snow, either, for those same reasons.
I have to question whether a Berkey would remove a lot of chemical poisons.
Then, there are industrial contaminants and particles from auto emission, just for starters.
I also wouldn’t give a pet melted snow, either, for those same reasons.
I have to question whether a Berkey would remove a lot of chemical poisons.
Josie
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Josie
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Lesson here. I'm sitting here wondering where I would go if my water was shut off for an extended period of time. Like Dennis, I have some stored but what happens after that is gone? Right now it's not a problem since there is about a foot of snow on the ground. Living in a small city/town, we are on city water. I could last a while but eventually I would have to bug out in search of water.
mzkitty
I give up.
This is true. Today I saw a little Tik-Tok video a girl made. She had a big snowball and put a Bic lighter under it. The snow didn't even melt a tad, just turned black where the flame had been. Then she said Tik-Tok deleted her vid on her. I couldn't get it to come up. Nasty.
They have large storage tanks here in the desert. Only protected by a padlocked fence. Easily accessible in an emergency. And the tool for opening the hydrants is readily available for purchase. Just saying.
night driver
ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
Mz Kitty, that vid gave you an incomplete understanding. Snow DOES BURN. Have to be EXCEEDINGLY CAREFUL in melting it for the first inch or so of WATER in the pan.
@Dennis Olson, did you shut off your water heater?
No. I haven’t drained it. If I do, I’ll shut it off first.
It could easily siphon down without your knowledge.
If it's electric, the element fry in a matter of seconds after going dry.
Gas, if the controller probe is exposed it won't know the temp.
SSTemplar
Veteran Member
Amazing in my 73 years I have never caught snow on fire.
ShadowMan
Designated Grumpy Old Fart
The above rack is like the one I made for storing 55 gallon drums of water in my garage.
They were plumbed like the above picture to make drawing off the water easier.
I'm going to build a unit like this for our new place so that we can store both emergency water and large cans of long term food.
At our previous place we had the six 55 gallon drums of emergency water, plus an above ground swimming pool that was only treated with chlorine and we had a hot tub. Between these I figured that we could go for about a year for four people without resupply. We were also a well there and had the well set up so that even with loss of power we could hook up a small Honda generator and pump water if necessary. Our well was far too deep 485 ft to hand pump or siphon water from.
In addition to the barrels, swimming pool and hot tub I also had a small trailer and a dozen 5 gallon military water plastic water cans with a hand pump that if necessary I could hand pump water from any local stream, pond, lake or river and then run that was through a screen and then a Berkey if necessary.
I like redundancy in any survival system if at all possible.
By siphon down, you mean the water gets sucked back into the city pipes out of the heater?
Okay. I went out and turned it off. It was running. I hope it wasn’t damaged. Gas heater.
ioujc
MARANTHA!! Even so, come LORD JESUS!!!
Dennis>>>>yesterday afternoon I went out and filled up every bucket and pot and barrel I had and I have quite a few. I filled them up with snow.
Today all of it melted>>>>I ended up with about 5 gallons and yes, it's dirty and has to be boiled, but it is better than nothing. I have drinking water still stored>>>>LOTS of drinking water, but needed water to give my critters and to wash with and flush with.
I was caught by surprise because although I do have water stored, I have NEVER had my water freeze up here. It is in a crawl space that is really more like a basement>>>>It is about 5 feet high. It has always remained fine>>>but NOT THIS YEAR!!! I have been here when the temperature went down to 8 degrees before and it seemed MUCH colder then. The wind was horrific that winter. Yesterday when I went out, it really didn't seem that cold to me>>>>of course, I WAS wearing 4 layers of clothes! The only thing that got cold were my toes and my hands yesterday.
It is not supposed to warm up until Sunday here>>>>hoping that I can get things fixed. Going to work smelling like a dog or a goat would NOT be pleasant for me OR OTHERS!! I guess I will go get some more snow in a little while>>>>>just doesn't seem it's worth the effort much>>>>it melts down to so little.
Today all of it melted>>>>I ended up with about 5 gallons and yes, it's dirty and has to be boiled, but it is better than nothing. I have drinking water still stored>>>>LOTS of drinking water, but needed water to give my critters and to wash with and flush with.
I was caught by surprise because although I do have water stored, I have NEVER had my water freeze up here. It is in a crawl space that is really more like a basement>>>>It is about 5 feet high. It has always remained fine>>>but NOT THIS YEAR!!! I have been here when the temperature went down to 8 degrees before and it seemed MUCH colder then. The wind was horrific that winter. Yesterday when I went out, it really didn't seem that cold to me>>>>of course, I WAS wearing 4 layers of clothes! The only thing that got cold were my toes and my hands yesterday.
It is not supposed to warm up until Sunday here>>>>hoping that I can get things fixed. Going to work smelling like a dog or a goat would NOT be pleasant for me OR OTHERS!! I guess I will go get some more snow in a little while>>>>>just doesn't seem it's worth the effort much>>>>it melts down to so little.
Better gas than electric, you are probably OK.
Cheap insurance to turn it off.
When you get water back, just make sure it cycles off.
night driver
ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
Mill, wouldn't his check valve on the incoming line cover that issue...always assuming he has one of them?
Yes, no, maybe.
Assume that it doesn't have heat trappers or it doesn't have a little piece of teflon tape blocking the check ball or it's the flapper type that don't shut off real well.
Like I said, cheep insurance.
Besides, with no pressure in, why run the heater at all? I can’t get hot water out.
Barry Natchitoches
Has No Life - Lives on TB
One simple, low tech source for drinking water in face of emergency is the water that is packed in canned foods. Whether commercially canned or home canned, if the contents of the can are not frozen, you can always open the can and drink that water if you have no other choice.
I am praying for you, Dennis, and all our other TB2K friends in difficult way this week...
I am praying for you, Dennis, and all our other TB2K friends in difficult way this week...
I have about 5 days of potable water. That’s a ridiculously tiny amount compared to what I once had.
night driver
ESFP adrift in INTJ sea
Figuring that the shower hot water faucet is the highest point on the Hot Water loop, open that faucet and then open the faucet on the bottom of the heater.
You will likely drain water.
AND it's clean potable water.
You will likely drain water.
AND it's clean potable water.
If I need it, I will.
paul bunyan
Frostbite Falls, Minnesota
Dear ND, i hope you are joking. Snow, ice or water will not burn. Old conspiracy theory.
Snow is solid water. Water like most if not all elements can exist in 3 states. Solid, Liquid and Gas.
When you heat snow with a lighter the snow changes from a solid to a gas. This is called sublimation. The black crud on the snow is produced by the impurities in the flamming gas.
Burning snow? A conspiracy theory resurfaces
During the current cold wave in Europe, a longtime conspiracy theory has reappeared on social media: in a video, a man places a snowball on his gas cooker before it catches fire. An abnormal phenomenon…
observers.france24.com
DEBUNKED
Burning snow? A conspiracy theory resurfaces
Issued on: 15/02/2021 - 14:06
Burning snow? A conspiracy theory resurfaces © Observers
Text by: Tristan Werkmeister
2 min
During the current cold wave in Europe, a longtime conspiracy theory has reappeared on social media: in a video, a man places a snowball on his gas cooker before it catches fire. An abnormal phenomenon proving the presence of toxic chemicals? We analysed the video with scientists.
For example, in this video shared on Telegram on February 10, a man collects snow in front of his house and burns it on his gas cooker. The snowball doesn't seem to melt, then it blackens before catching fire. How can this be explained? Tristan Werkmeister from the France 24 Observers team investigated this claim.
What can we learn from this video?
If snow gives the impression that it doesn't melt, the explanation is chemical, and is called sublimation. As explained in this video by chemistry professor Kim Hilton, water goes directly from a solid to a gaseous state: it doesn't melt, it evaporates.
Then, if the snow blackens, it is not because of what it contains but because of the impurities in the gas, which create a carbon layer as explained in this article from NBC25 News.
Finally, pure snow cannot burn, since it is only water, confirms Jean-Michel Courty, professor of physics at Sorbonne University. So in the video showing a burning snowball, the only scientific explanation is that it contains other elements that are not necessarily toxic: the same process can occur with sugar, or with wood, paper or plastic residues collected with the snow.
It is impossible to define exactly what is in the snow without analysing it. But the "burning snow" effect does not mean that the substance itself contains toxic elements that are dangerous to humans.
A longtime conspiracy theory
This type of video is not uncommon in places where it snows: according to their authors, they are proof of the existence of chemicals in the air, such as chemtrails, a theory claiming that aeroplanes spread chemicals in the atmosphere to control the climate or poison the population.
Video stating that snow contains plastic, posted in March 2018.
Something to think about next time, because with the Solar Minimum there definitely will be one sooner rather than later.....
WaterBOB Bathtub Storage Emergency Drinking Water Container, Comes with Hand Pump, Disaster and Hurricane Survival, BPA-Free (100 Gallon) (1 Pack)
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WaterBOB Bathtub Storage Emergency Drinking Water Container, Comes with Hand Pump, Disaster and Hurricane Survival, BPA-Free (100 Gallon) (1 Pack)
https://www.amazon.com/WaterBOB-Emergency-Container-Drinking-Hurricane/dp/B001AXLUX2
ORDERED!
xtreme_right
Veteran Member
Our local volunteer fire department is offering non potable water to anyone. They just need to bring their own containers. For 2 days now, they drove through the area with their lights on and over the loud speaker telling people to come out and get water if they need it.
I learned this from the NextDoor app. It might be worthwhile calling your fire station and asking if they are doing something similar.
Mary Contrary
Inactive
Delicate subject, but this is what i used to do 30 yrs ago when i lived in the city and they turned off my water in the summer cuz i didn't pay the $400 water bill. I had 3 dogs then too - other ones of course. I did get a number of gallons of water from my sons house. Water was out for 2 months in the hot summer. I obviously couldn't flush the toilet. I had no choice but to poop on newspaper on the floor. I threw it in the garbage. I could not waste the water for the toilet bowl. Even back then i was a surviver. (When i was 12 i would skip school, hide in the attic, pee in a large pickle jar and throw it out the window onto the grass.) When i had to pee i sat on the edge of the tub and peed in the tub and then took a cup of water and rinsed it down the drain. I didn't NEED a damn toilet! I survived even though they turned off the water paper towels would work, or go outside like they did 100 yrs ago.
They turned off my gas in the summer too, but i survived in the winter by living in one room using two electric heaters. A few years ago i had my handyman install a hand pump on my well. Stupid people before me built the porch right OVER the well, so he had to use a longer pipe and put the hand pump on top of my porch. Looks weird, but works, well, used to. I haven't pumped it last summer. Gotta this summer. I always had to prime it. I know how to do that. He told me to use a metal pipe as pvc could freeze and break. I'm glad now. Cost a bit more, but not too bad. Needed two pipes. It was hard work for him as the long pipes were heavy. I don't know if it will work in winter. I emptied it and tied the handle down and it's covered with a plastic bag. I read something about the leather wearing out. I need to buy an extra. Got pump cheap at Lemans for a hundred or so. Works good and my well is shallow at 35 ft.
I had more written here, but when i tried to correct something it all started moving and got deleted. Don't know why.
I had said that we are TOO soft and spoiled. They went without a toilet a hundred years ago and so can we. I think it's better to poop outside than in a plastic bag. At least outside you can cover with dirt or snow. Since my ex left i have no money to clean the septic tank as it costs $250. Waiting for divorce, but lawyer not responding to me. Will call her in two weeks. So i can't use the toilet now as it won't flush. I think the septic is full. So i use newspapers and throw it in the trash and pee in the tub and rinse out with some water. At least i have water. I can DO this! I can survive. The only reason i would need a toilet is if i get company which i don't. If i can get divorced by this summer i will have the septic cleaned out, but for now i am ok with it.
They turned off my gas in the summer too, but i survived in the winter by living in one room using two electric heaters. A few years ago i had my handyman install a hand pump on my well. Stupid people before me built the porch right OVER the well, so he had to use a longer pipe and put the hand pump on top of my porch. Looks weird, but works, well, used to. I haven't pumped it last summer. Gotta this summer. I always had to prime it. I know how to do that. He told me to use a metal pipe as pvc could freeze and break. I'm glad now. Cost a bit more, but not too bad. Needed two pipes. It was hard work for him as the long pipes were heavy. I don't know if it will work in winter. I emptied it and tied the handle down and it's covered with a plastic bag. I read something about the leather wearing out. I need to buy an extra. Got pump cheap at Lemans for a hundred or so. Works good and my well is shallow at 35 ft.
I had more written here, but when i tried to correct something it all started moving and got deleted. Don't know why.
I had said that we are TOO soft and spoiled. They went without a toilet a hundred years ago and so can we. I think it's better to poop outside than in a plastic bag. At least outside you can cover with dirt or snow. Since my ex left i have no money to clean the septic tank as it costs $250. Waiting for divorce, but lawyer not responding to me. Will call her in two weeks. So i can't use the toilet now as it won't flush. I think the septic is full. So i use newspapers and throw it in the trash and pee in the tub and rinse out with some water. At least i have water. I can DO this! I can survive. The only reason i would need a toilet is if i get company which i don't. If i can get divorced by this summer i will have the septic cleaned out, but for now i am ok with it.
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Buick Electra
TB2K Girls with Guns
Good Gravy!! What else can go wrong? (Never mind). In prayers for your Dennis.
This has the makings of a real sad country western song.
goosebeans
Veteran Member
Sorry for your troubles, Dennis. You know, if it's above freezing during the day, the sap is probably running. If there are any maple or birch - or even apple trees, around, just knock a table knife into the tree and watch the sap run out. You could fill a gallon jug pretty easily. It's perfectly safe to drink.