How to Store Water in Barrels Safely for Drinking

Storing water is a proactive way to prepare for emergency situations. Water is the one necessity that people cannot live without for more than three or four days at most. In the case of contamination or some other disaster, having water on hand can make the difference between life and death. Storing water in barrels is a practical way to prepare for a future emergency. The suggested amount of water to keep in storage is two gallons per day per person (See Reference 1).

Things You'll Need

• FDA Approved Water Barrel
• Household Chlorine Bleach
• Medicine Dropper
• Clean Water

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Instructions

• 1

  Purchase and thoroughly clean an FDA approved water barrel. A 30 to 55-gallon barrel is best for the primary, stationary water source (See Reference 1). Provide smaller water containers for easy use and mobility; they can be filled from the primary water barrel. Rinse the barrel and smaller containers with bleach prior to usage. Dry them completely.

• 2

  Place the empty barrel in a cool, dry location, and fill it with clean water. Keep the barrel away from sunlight and heat. Use water from a trusted public water source to fill the barrel. Limit human contact with the water while filling the barrel to minimize contamination. Screw the top onto the container tightly to keep out germs, bacteria and debris. Clean containers with bleach each time before refilling them with water.

• 3

  Treat the water for storage purposes. Use a medicine dropper to add common household chlorine bleach to the water. Ensure that the bleach is 5.25% sodium hypochlorite that does not have soap or scent additives. Add a one-fourth-teaspoon of bleach per gallon. Stir the water, and check it 30 minutes later for a chlorine odor. If there is no chlorine odor, add the same amount again and check it in 15 minutes for a chlorine odor (See Reference 2).

• 4

  Label the container with the date stored. For an improved taste after a long storage, pour the water into one clean container and then another, back and forth. For best quality, replace the water every six months. If you have any worries that the container may have been contaminated, clean the barrel again before refilling.