Wirecutter Guide to Emergency Preparedness Supplies

[Moab]

I have those five gallon and a few similar 1 gallon containers of water. Among other containers. I'm going to work on standardizing a more compact solution eventually. But testing all these variations is just getting me more non-matching water containers.

I am not pushing any of these options. I am just noting they are out there.

I have a water machine in town here. Its half the price of buying 3 gal jugs of drinking water at the grocery store. But I guess filling containers at the house and treating it with bleach or something is just as good?

Without a doubt hands down the cheapest way to get water for storage is to use tap water. In some cases there is enough chlorine in it so no additional chlorination is needed. The other thing to bear in mind is that water does not turn bad it simply gets contaminated. Tap water stored in bottles for instance may see algae growth in it. It can still be used as gray water and with simply boiling the water (or filtering it) it is still good potable water to use.
If you want to be proactive it does not take much bleach to treat tap water. Just remember to check the percentage of sodium hypochlorate in the bleach. DO NOT USE SCENTED BLEACH! Most but not all a 5.25%. Based upon the chart below if to get between 1 and 5 PPM (check the tap first, many municipalities dispense .5 to 1.5 ppm) you want to add .13fl oz per gallon.

There is a good link here. 
https://www.cleanwaterstore.com/resource/how-to-guides/how-much-chlorine-to-add-to-storage-tank-to-kill-bacteria/


I have a few plastic food grade barrels but have never filled them up because of the weight and the difficulty of getting water out with a siphon. 50 gallons of water weighs over 400 lbs + the weight of the drum.

On final point to remember if you have a water tank you are constantly storing and replenishing 30 to 50 gallons of water.

Awesome information, raptor. 

(You need an avatar. Didn't you used to have one? I want to remember everything you've said to me. I remember your name of course. For many years. But avatars add a face of sorts to a name.)

I'm sure there is a ton of bleach in the water here in LA. But no one drinks it. Is that because its contaminated with other things?

I'll do some research. But this is the only place I've ever lived where you can't drink the tap water. 

[MacWa77ace]

Awesome information, raptor.

(You need an avatar. Didn't you used to have one? I want to remember everything you've said to me. I remember your name of course. For many years. But avatars add a face of sorts to a name.)

I'm confused.
I'd recognize this guy in a crowd. Jet pack and scissors give him away. Even in a Covid mask.

[Anianna]

Awesome information, raptor.

(You need an avatar. Didn't you used to have one? I want to remember everything you've said to me. I remember your name of course. For many years. But avatars add a face of sorts to a name.)

I'm confused.
I'd recognize this guy in a crowd. Jet pack and scissors give him away. Even in a Covid mask.

Yea, I see it.  I wonder if anybody else can't or why Moab doesn't see it. 

[Raptor]

I'm sure there is a ton of bleach in the water here in LA. But no one drinks it. Is that because its contaminated with other things?

I'll do some research. But this is the only place I've ever lived where you can't drink the tap water.

Here is a hack to get a free water ph and chlorine test. Bring a sample to a pool supply place and ask them to test a sample when they do they will try to sell you some chemicals...just say no. Tip the person $5 if that makes you feel better about misrepresenting yourself.

Note this will not provide any information on contaminents just ph and chlorine level

That said IF you want chlorine that is a great place to buy some. A single 1 lb bag of shock will clean up a lot of drinking water @ 70% concentrated sodium hypochlorate.

DO NOT buy anything with algeacide or UV stabilizer. You just want concentrated sodium hypochlorate.

The odds are good that LA has a lot of chlorine and likely PFAS. That is something that can be filtered out and honestly if that is an issue it is something you may want address.

A simple pitcher filter for any potable waters will go a long way.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015N617CK/ref=vp_d_ac_sub_sp_pd?_encoding=UTF8&pf_rd_p=d72135a7-461a-408b-a4cd-c4991d6f7038&pf_rd_r=6BHZ4XJNVPE47DFA7ZNB&pd_rd_wg=mIDf3&pd_rd_i=B015N617CK&pd_rd_w=gTHVh&content-id=amzn1.sym.d72135a7-461a-408b-a4cd-c4991d6f7038&pd_rd_r=c2ffcf6f-34c5-4398-873a-0fde52f276f7&th=1


BTW do you see the avatar on this post? below is what I see.
You cannot view this attachment.

[Moab]

I'm sure there is a ton of bleach in the water here in LA. But no one drinks it. Is that because its contaminated with other things?

I'll do some research. But this is the only place I've ever lived where you can't drink the tap water.

Here is a hack to get a free water ph and chlorine test. Bring a sample to a pool supply place and ask them to test a sample when they do they will try to sell you some chemicals...just say no. Tip the person $5 if that makes you feel better about misrepresenting yourself.

Note this will not provide any information on contaminents just ph and chlorine level

That said IF you want chlorine that is a great place to buy some. A single 1 lb bag of shock will clean up a lot of drinking water @ 70% concentrated sodium hypochlorate.

DO NOT buy anything with algeacide or UV stabilizer. You just want concentrated sodium hypochlorate.

The odds are good that LA has a lot of chlorine and likely PFAS. That is something that can be filtered out and honestly if that is an issue it is something you may want address.

A simple pitcher filter for any potable waters will go a long way.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015N617CK/ref=vp_d_ac_sub_sp_pd?_encoding=UTF8&pf_rd_p=d72135a7-461a-408b-a4cd-c4991d6f7038&pf_rd_r=6BHZ4XJNVPE47DFA7ZNB&pd_rd_wg=mIDf3&pd_rd_i=B015N617CK&pd_rd_w=gTHVh&content-id=amzn1.sym.d72135a7-461a-408b-a4cd-c4991d6f7038&pd_rd_r=c2ffcf6f-34c5-4398-873a-0fde52f276f7&th=1


BTW do you see the avatar on this post? below is what I see.
You cannot view this attachment.

I'm such an idiot. How do I turn on seeing avatars? I don't see anyones! Lmao!

What are pfas? And how do I filter those or any other other contaminates? Chemicals included. I'm trying to figure out why no one drinks the water here if there's so much chlorine in it? My dogs drink it. But they eat cat shit too. Lol.

We had a pitcher filter for awhile. Trying to remember why we got rid of it? We switched back to water delivery. And now were back to buying it ourselves at the grocery store. I'll have to ask my wife about the pitcher. 

[MacWa77ace]

Just setting water uncovered in the sunlight will eliminate any chlorine from the water pretty fast.

What Does the Sun Do to Chlorine?
There are two types of chlorine present in the pool: free and combined. Free chlorine is a fraction of the chlorine used to shield the water from infection and bacteria. Free chlorine is lost when it comes in contact with sunlight. Free chlorine is also lost when bacteria reacts with it. Free chlorine is formed when the chlorine forms hypchlorite ions. The hypochlorite separates when UV light hits it. This turns the hypochlorite into gas, which is released into the air. [...]

Combined chlorine is the portion of chlorine that interacts with bacteria and algae. When there is too much combined chlorine in the pool, it may be a sign that your pool is getting too much sunlight. The sun makes the chlorine less active, and more foreign invaders are able to fester freely in the water. However, the free chlorine is what needs to be replaced when you re-chlorinate your pool. When your pool reaches less than one part per million, the pool is not safe for swimming. Re-chlorinate the pool.

Effect of UV on Chlorine
UV rays oxidize the chlorine in the water. This causes UV light chlorine degradation. [...]

Sunlight degrades chlorine to the point where it is not as active as it's supposed to be.

[Raptor]

What are pfas? And how do I filter those or any other other contaminates? Chemicals included. I'm trying to figure out why no one drinks the water here if there's so much chlorine in it? My dogs drink it. But they eat cat shit too. Lol.

We had a pitcher filter for awhile. Trying to remember why we got rid of it? We switched back to water delivery. And now were back to buying it ourselves at the grocery store. I'll have to ask my wife about the pitcher.

There are several questions here:
https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explained

A Common Contaminant in municipal water supplies is THM.
https://waterfilterguru.com/trihalomethanes-in-water/

As for filtration look for NSF filtration standards. It is important to read the fine print on the filter.
https://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/articles/standards-water-treatment-systems

NSF 42 is a taste filter and would filter THM but not PFAS.
NSF 53 typically is more robust. The spec sheet will specify what materials are filtered but typically it is lead and heavy metals.
NSF P473 will remove PFAS (and/or PFOA and PFOS) in water.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/list-of-household-filters-approved-for-certain-pfas-removal


An article about 12 cities with tap water issues.
https://www.businessinsider.com/cities-worst-tap-water-us-2019-3

The other thing to bear in mind ... bottled water is not always free of contamination. Many companies use un-filtered municipal water supplies to bottle water. So your bottled water may be someone else's tap water...or as in this meme...You cannot view this attachment.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Regarding avatars, are you viewing the forums on mobile and are you viewing them with your phone held vertically or horizontally, Moab ?

If your phone is oriented vertically, avatars won't show up, but if it's horizontal then they will.

[Moab]

Regarding avatars, are you viewing the forums on mobile and are you viewing them with your phone held vertically or horizontally, Moab ?

If your phone is oriented vertically, avatars won't show up, but if it's horizontal then they will.

Ah. Thats the issue then. Yes. I am on mobile and vertical.

I need an idiot guide. Lol. Like a little hover link on each profile name to show their top 5 posts or something.

I always remember a face. But rarely a name. So many of you I love so dearly. For so many years. But I rarely remember your most valuable contributions or who u are. Majorhavoc is the great writer. Mac your the gun guy. Brian is the firearms instructor right? Ghost is the guy that loves alice packs iirc. Ronny is the designer sewer, frugal captain of the bunch. Nt2c is the wwii vet. Right? Didnt he serve in ship as a gunner in the navy? And the list goes on. Thats how I remember u guys. Lol.

I wish there was a better way. I guess I need to go on my desktop more often. Or learn to use my ohone horizontally. Ewe. Lol.

I used to change my avatar once in awhile. But then just stuck with the last one i used. For fear of confusing people.

[Raptor]

Nt2c is the wwii vet.

Wrong war; he is the WW 1 veteran. 
A mere youngster.
Me on the other hand I am from the Cretaceous era. 

[Moab]

Nt2c is the wwii vet.

Wrong war; he is the WW 1 veteran. 
A mere youngster.
Me on the other hand I am from the Cretaceous era.

Lmao!!! 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

NT2C is a Vietnam vet, from what I remember. I don't remember if he actually saw combat or if he joined just before the war ended in 1975.

I do remember he's a Navy vet, though.

As for avatars, I used to change mine on the old boards every now and then, but then I found my current one (a chimpanzee holding a shotgun from the Trunk Monkey commercials) and I've been using that one ever since.

[flybynight]

I've only had the two avatars. At ZS I had the asshole bunny. And when I joined here , Bigfoot giving the finger while riding the Loch Ness Monster. I'm easily amused 

NT2c added the text from the bunny pic above my bigfoot avatar 

[Anianna]

Regarding avatars, are you viewing the forums on mobile and are you viewing them with your phone held vertically or horizontally, Moab ?

If your phone is oriented vertically, avatars won't show up, but if it's horizontal then they will.

Ah. Thats the issue then. Yes. I am on mobile and vertical.

I need an idiot guide. Lol. Like a little hover link on each profile name to show their top 5 posts or something.

I always remember a face. But rarely a name. So many of you I love so dearly. For so many years. But I rarely remember your most valuable contributions or who u are. Majorhavoc is the great writer. Mac your the gun guy. Brian is the firearms instructor right? Ghost is the guy that loves alice packs iirc. Ronny is the designer sewer, frugal captain of the bunch. Nt2c is the wwii vet. Right? Didnt he serve in ship as a gunner in the navy? And the list goes on. Thats how I remember u guys. Lol.

I wish there was a better way. I guess I need to go on my desktop more often. Or learn to use my ohone horizontally. Ewe. Lol.

I used to change my avatar once in awhile. But then just stuck with the last one i used. For fear of confusing people.

Is this dependent on which layout you're using?  I see avatars on mobile on both my phone and tablet.  I'm currently using the "Bend" theme.

[Moab]

Regarding avatars, are you viewing the forums on mobile and are you viewing them with your phone held vertically or horizontally, Moab ?

If your phone is oriented vertically, avatars won't show up, but if it's horizontal then they will.

Ah. Thats the issue then. Yes. I am on mobile and vertical.

I need an idiot guide. Lol. Like a little hover link on each profile name to show their top 5 posts or something.

I always remember a face. But rarely a name. So many of you I love so dearly. For so many years. But I rarely remember your most valuable contributions or who u are. Majorhavoc is the great writer. Mac your the gun guy. Brian is the firearms instructor right? Ghost is the guy that loves alice packs iirc. Ronny is the designer sewer, frugal captain of the bunch. Nt2c is the wwii vet. Right? Didnt he serve in ship as a gunner in the navy? And the list goes on. Thats how I remember u guys. Lol.

I wish there was a better way. I guess I need to go on my desktop more often. Or learn to use my ohone horizontally. Ewe. Lol.

I used to change my avatar once in awhile. But then just stuck with the last one i used. For fear of confusing people.

Is this dependent on which layout you're using?  I see avatars on mobile on both my phone and tablet.  I'm currently using the "Bend" theme.

Let me try that. 

[Moab]

Regarding avatars, are you viewing the forums on mobile and are you viewing them with your phone held vertically or horizontally, Moab ?

If your phone is oriented vertically, avatars won't show up, but if it's horizontal then they will.

Ah. Thats the issue then. Yes. I am on mobile and vertical.

I need an idiot guide. Lol. Like a little hover link on each profile name to show their top 5 posts or something.

I always remember a face. But rarely a name. So many of you I love so dearly. For so many years. But I rarely remember your most valuable contributions or who u are. Majorhavoc is the great writer. Mac your the gun guy. Brian is the firearms instructor right? Ghost is the guy that loves alice packs iirc. Ronny is the designer sewer, frugal captain of the bunch. Nt2c is the wwii vet. Right? Didnt he serve in ship as a gunner in the navy? And the list goes on. Thats how I remember u guys. Lol.

I wish there was a better way. I guess I need to go on my desktop more often. Or learn to use my ohone horizontally. Ewe. Lol.

I used to change my avatar once in awhile. But then just stuck with the last one i used. For fear of confusing people.

Is this dependent on which layout you're using?  I see avatars on mobile on both my phone and tablet.  I'm currently using the "Bend" theme.

I just tried them all. Non of them work right on my Samsung android. The dark one did show avatars but they are so far off to the left you can't see them. Sticking with default. 

[Moab]

I've only had the two avatars. At ZS I had the asshole bunny. And when I joined here , Bigfoot giving the finger while riding the Loch Ness Monster. I'm easily amused 

NT2c added the text from the bunny pic above my bigfoot avatar 

I'm surprised he didn't add that to mine! Lmao! 

[Anianna]

Regarding avatars, are you viewing the forums on mobile and are you viewing them with your phone held vertically or horizontally, Moab ?

If your phone is oriented vertically, avatars won't show up, but if it's horizontal then they will.

Ah. Thats the issue then. Yes. I am on mobile and vertical.

I need an idiot guide. Lol. Like a little hover link on each profile name to show their top 5 posts or something.

I always remember a face. But rarely a name. So many of you I love so dearly. For so many years. But I rarely remember your most valuable contributions or who u are. Majorhavoc is the great writer. Mac your the gun guy. Brian is the firearms instructor right? Ghost is the guy that loves alice packs iirc. Ronny is the designer sewer, frugal captain of the bunch. Nt2c is the wwii vet. Right? Didnt he serve in ship as a gunner in the navy? And the list goes on. Thats how I remember u guys. Lol.

I wish there was a better way. I guess I need to go on my desktop more often. Or learn to use my ohone horizontally. Ewe. Lol.

I used to change my avatar once in awhile. But then just stuck with the last one i used. For fear of confusing people.

Is this dependent on which layout you're using?  I see avatars on mobile on both my phone and tablet.  I'm currently using the "Bend" theme.

I just tried them all. Non of them work right on my Samsung android. The dark one did show avatars but they are so far off to the left you can't see them. Sticking with default.

I have the Galaxy 10 Note.  Maybe it's model specific.  So odd.  I'm sorry you have to miss my beautiful tiger bunny. 

My husband had an actual stuffed tiger bunny made for me a few years ago since I'd been using this avatar since the original ad came out.  Pretty sure I was the first person to ever scan it and upload it to the internet.  I still have the magazine page around here somewhere, too.

[MacWa77ace]

I mostly use PC for UFoZS, and when viewing on iPhone I never really noticed the avatars aren't there, guess I'm just picturing the 'faces' in my head. But when I turn the phone horizontal the avatars are there.

[MacWa77ace]

This site has some good info on water storage,

https://deq.utah.gov/drinking-water/emergency-water-storage