Home Water Storage
Water can be stored in many different types of containers:
| Potable and Safe | Non-potable |
| Food-grade plastic drums (15–60 gallons) | Bathtubs (unless maintained as potable with bleach) |
| High density polyethylene (HDPE) tanks (from 100 gallons up toa thousand) | Plastic/metal trash cans |
| Collapsible low density polyethylene(LDPE) plastic tanks (from 10’s of gallons up to severalthousand gallons) | Swimming pools |
| Cisterns up to several thousands of gallons | Used, non-disinfected containers |
Irrespective of which type of container you choose, determine the amount of water storage your family will need, buy at least the minimum number of containers to achieve that storage, and place them where you want to store them before filling them up, because once they are full, they will be difficult to move. Don’t forget that your hot water heater is a source of water; most hot water heaters contain 50–80 gallons of water, though you need to turn off the gas to it or flip the circuit breaker to it to allow it to cool off first. Do not turn it back on until water service is fully restored and you have opened the hot water faucets to purge air from the tank.
How: For rainwater collection, order a rainwater downspout diverter and a barrel, tank, or other storage container. Make sure whatever solution you choose can be engaged/disengaged easily so that you can fill your tanks with rainwater after the first 5 minutes of rain has washed dust, dirt, and bird feces away. This control also helps you avoid having completely full tanks that might freeze and crack in cold weather. Food grade plastic barrels are preferred for rainwater collection. Consider painting rain barrels the color of their surroundings, or placing them inside a small privacy fence, to reduce their noticeability. For tap or well water, determine a method to fill the storage containers you’ve selected (i.e., potable water or food grade hose). Pick a spot for the container that will be convenient for both filling and withdrawing; once filled, larger containers will be extremely difficult to move. Tightly close the container lids to prevent contamination. . When: To avoid potential scrambles for supplies, order all water collection, purification, and storage components now and install them as they arrive. Fully familiarize yourself with their operation. Fill your storage containers after the WHO announces Pandemic Phase 5. See the website for recommended water collection and storage products.