Treating water to make it last

Hi all

I'm after some pointers from survivalists. have about 20x 40ltr food grade containers which I used to use for treating water of my fishtanks. I no longer keep fish but I still have the containers.

I'd like to first sterilize these containers and then fill them with water, and store them 'just in case'.

I've read somewhere that if water is treated in the right way, it never 'expires'. How can I go about keeping this water drinkable for years to come? Do I need to add anything to the water to keep it fresh?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

reply to post by morgansolutions


Mmm, maybe pasteurise the water, or boil it. I´m not sure.

I think Google will have lots of info about treating water.

It all depends on how insane you want to get. I started filtering my storage water through a good filter and then through a biofilter. When I do long term storage, I wash the container (I use 5 gallon containers) with bleach and then fill the container to the brim so there's no air, seal it and store in dark cool area. I've had water like this for a couple of years and it still seems fine.

Water can be chemically disinfected for long-term storage by treating each gallon with 16 drops of liquid chlorine bleach (Clorox or Purex type bleaches, containing 4% to 6% sodium hypochlorite; do not use scented bleach). 1 teaspoon per gallon should do the trick.

Culinary water (tap water) is what is usually stored for long term storage. If you have a clean, opaque container where the light cannot get through and your water is bacteria-free when you store it you probably don't need to treat it further. Under these conditions the water actually gets more pure as it is stored. However, for most of us there is no guarantee that our culinary water is bacteria-free and most of us prefer to treat our water in some way as a precaution as we store it.

Several methods have traditionally been used to purify water for long term water storage: Two percent Tincture of Iodine -- To use this add 12 drops per gallon of water. Note: pregnant or nursing women or people with thyroid problems should not drink water with iodine. Chlorine Bleach -- Household bleach can also be used. This should contain a 5.25% solution of sodium hypochlorite without soap additives or phosphates. Use 1/8 teaspoon (about 5-8 drops) per gallon of water.

Studies show that if water is bacteria-free and is stored in clean containers it will stay safe for several years. It is a good idea, however, to periodically check your water for purity and taste. And every few years it's a good idea to change it. One of the things that affects the taste of water is it "going flat". This occurs because of the oxidation that takes place as it sits. You can improve the taste by pouring the water back and fourth between containers to aerate it or by beating it with a hand egg beater. You also may want to store some flavorings such as fruit drink powders, kool-aid, etc. to add to your water if you find the taste objectionable. Remember also that you have several sources of water already in your home that can be tapped in an emergency such as your hot water heater, toilet tanks (don't use water from a tank that contains colored disinfectant. It is poisonous.), water pipes, ice in the freezer, etc. Water is relatively inexpensive to store and certainly not difficult to do - but certainly the time to store it is now. Water that we take so for granted when things are normal, in an emergency becomes absolutely critical. This is an item you can't afford to overlook in your preparedness preparations.

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reply to post by morgansolutions



www.usaemergencysupply.com...

If you do boil the water then you need to boil it for at least 4 hours to kill off all the bacteria. Using a pressure cooker can reduce this time. Keep the water in a cool place out of the sunlight helps inhibit any nasties from growing.

reply to post by kwakakev


I don´t think that´s true.

All bacteria should be dead as soon as water reaches boiling point.

edit, no you were right, not all known bacteria and spores are killed with normal boiling, however it should kill all bacteria that might be in tap water.

Originally posted by billxam
It all depends on how insane you want to get. I started filtering my storage water through a good filter and then through a biofilter. When I do long term storage, I wash the container (I use 5 gallon containers) with bleach and then fill the container to the brim so there's no air, seal it and store in dark cool area. I've had water like this for a couple of years and it still seems fine.

Water can be chemically disinfected for long-term storage by treating each gallon with 16 drops of liquid chlorine bleach (Clorox or Purex type bleaches, containing 4% to 6% sodium hypochlorite; do not use scented bleach). 1 teaspoon per gallon should do the trick.

This is what I'm after. I don't intend on boiling it before storing as this would take far too long and cost way too much money - we're talking 800 litres! Containers are currently being sterilised. Once done, I'll add water and liquid chlorine (pretty sure my mains supply contains plenty of this already - it tastes foul as it is!).

I'll be storing it in a nice dark place and if I do find I need to use it, I'll then boil it up before drinking

A cheap and easy way is to use Milton fluid (baby bottle steriliser) you can treat water to drink with it.

Originally posted by kwakakev
If you do boil the water then you need to boil it for at least 4 hours to kill off all the bacteria. Using a pressure cooker can reduce this time. Keep the water in a cool place out of the sunlight helps inhibit any nasties from growing.

Boiling about any amount of water from the smallest to the largest container makes no difference. In four hours of boiling any amount, you would have no water left. All gone to steam.

Originally posted by morgansolutions
Hi all

I'm after some pointers from survivalists. have about 20x 40ltr food grade containers which I used to use for treating water of my fishtanks. I no longer keep fish but I still have the containers.

I'd like to first sterilize these containers and then fill them with water, and store them 'just in case'.

I've read somewhere that if water is treated in the right way, it never 'expires'. How can I go about keeping this water drinkable for years to come? Do I need to add anything to the water to keep it fresh?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

USE CALCIUM HYPOCHLORIDE...

sterilize containa liquid chlorine dark and cool area

For long term potable water storage on my boat and for emergency water storage in my home, I use Aquamira treatment drops. Aquamira uses Chlorine Dioxide. Keeps the water nice and fresh!! I've also used stabilized oxygen with good results as well. I just changed a 7 gallon container that had been treated with stabilized oxygen and sitting in a closet for two years. The water tasted just as it did the day I filled the container.

Chlorine dioxide, a well established disinfectant is the active ingredient in Aquamira® Water Treatment. Chlorine dioxide is iodine and chlorine free. The unique formula works by releasing nascent oxygen, a highly active form of oxygen, which is a strong oxidant and a powerful germicidal agent. Chlorine dioxide has been used by municipal water treatment plants to kill a variety of waterborne pathogens since the late 1940s. Unlike free chlorine (familiar as household bleach) or other halogen chemicals (such as iodine), chlorine dioxide does not create potentially harmful by-products.

Aquamira’s key benefits are clearly evident when compared to other common portable water treatment chemicals such as iodine or sodium hypochlorite (household bleach). Most importantly, chlorine dioxide is a significantly stronger oxidant, with greater pathogen killing power. Chlorine dioxide does not discolor water, nor does it give water an unpleasant taste. In fact, chlorine dioxide is used to improve the taste of water by neutralizing unpleasant flavors. Aquamira is also very useful as a preservative for stored drinking water. When used according to instructions, and kept in a sealed container, treated water needs no further treatment for 5 years. This makes Aquamira Water Treatment the perfect solution for water stored for earthquakes, hurricanes, or other disaster preparedness situations.

aquamira.com...