People have already been storing water in all various kinds of containers for a large number of years and water can keep for long amounts of time in containers.

Of course if your water sits there available to the weather for too long there's always the opportunity that it can be stagnant, grow algae, become home to bacteria, or viruses. To be able to prevent the above mentioned mentioned from happening to your emergency water supply or to fix the problem if it does happen there are some very simple rules to follow along with and actions to take.

Something that you should look at first is the kind of container you will use to store your emergency water. My first suggestion is to purchase one of many newer drinking tap water storage tanks which are specially created for emergency water storage. You are able to them at just about any department or hardware store.

If you can't find one of the normal water storage tanks, don't have time and energy to check around, or just don't have the money to buy, one don't worry. The folks from two thousand years back didn't have one either and the made out decent in what they had. You may also use one of those plastic tub containers which are often used to store clothing before next season.

When storing an urgent situation water supply you'll need to store enough water to last for at the least two weeks. that indicates saving one gallon of water daily, per person plus extra for pets. So for a family of four persons and one dog that will come to between 75 and 100 gallons of water.

The key to utilizing the plastic tub containers is in making sure that the container is FOOD GRADE or PETE plastic. If it isn't don't put your water into the tub. First put your water into Mylar bags or plastic drink bottles and then store them far from the light and heat in the plastic containers. (Never store emergency drinking tap water in milk jugs.)

Before putting water into any storage container be sure the containers have now been sanitized and rinsed well. Don't store drinking tap water in containers which were used to store non-food items. Once your water has been stored for some time it should be replaced at least one time every year.