I am increasing my preparedness to make it through extended power outages. I am uncomfortable with my fresh water situation because I am on a neighborhood well system that stops pumping when the power goes out. The longest I've been without power/water at this house has been 5 days. I want to be prepared for 2 weeks. There are only the 2 of us here but we ended up having a surprise guest the last outage so I want to prepare for 4 people to have a safety margin.
Here's my thinking for getting past an emergency:
drinking water = 1 gallon a day per person * 14 days * 4 people = 56 gallons needed of drinking water;
dishes/bathing/toilet = 1 gallon a day per person * 14 days * 4 people = 56 gallons needed of utility water;
I currently have 4 5-gallon portable water jugs so that can provide 20 gallons of drinking water.
I have 2 bathtubs I can fill so assume I can get 35 gallons each, or 70 gallons of utility water.
Phase 1 preparedness - have sufficient storage capability and fill containers before an approaching storm;
Phase 2 preparedness - develop a water storage capability so water is already stored/ready for a surprise emergency;
I appreciate any opinions on servicing my needs. Interested in issues such as how long I can store water in a clean container and still drink? What larger plastic containers (aka rain barrel type drums) can I use and can I simply fill and cap for extended duration. I have no running streams/lakes close enough to support me.
Thanks!
Here's my thinking for getting past an emergency:
drinking water = 1 gallon a day per person * 14 days * 4 people = 56 gallons needed of drinking water;
dishes/bathing/toilet = 1 gallon a day per person * 14 days * 4 people = 56 gallons needed of utility water;
I currently have 4 5-gallon portable water jugs so that can provide 20 gallons of drinking water.
I have 2 bathtubs I can fill so assume I can get 35 gallons each, or 70 gallons of utility water.
Phase 1 preparedness - have sufficient storage capability and fill containers before an approaching storm;
Phase 2 preparedness - develop a water storage capability so water is already stored/ready for a surprise emergency;
I appreciate any opinions on servicing my needs. Interested in issues such as how long I can store water in a clean container and still drink? What larger plastic containers (aka rain barrel type drums) can I use and can I simply fill and cap for extended duration. I have no running streams/lakes close enough to support me.
Thanks!