Water

[wcd]

Just wondering.

If I need to stock pile water? I know everyone needs water. I am trying to prioritize our prep. Our property backs up to a lake.

Would we be better off to invest in a water filter and purifier? If the need arose we could easily walk to the lake.

Thanks

 

[churchmouse]

Filters/purifiers are part of prep.

We stock in as much bottled water as space allows. Gallon jugs or purified for cooking and hygiene.

 

[pudly]

If the lake water quality is decent, then that is an excellent source for emergency use. There are a number of good filters available, but you will want something more than the basic Brita or Pur filters that you use with processed tap water. I use a Berkey for drinking and cooking water from the tap, but it will also handle other water sources as needed. It is excellent at handling both biological and most chemical pollutants. Have a boil water order due to some short term problem? I don't even have to worry about drinking any bad water before the order goes out.

 

[shibumiseeker]

Don't bother trying to purify a bunch of water to store for a long time period. Keep a few gallons on hand from your regular source and rotate it out every few months and use this water for the immediate purposes if SHTF. Then treat your bulk storage water (drum, creek, lake, etc) as you need it for direct consumption. Washing water does not need to be treated, cooking water does not need to be treated. Only the water you drink or brush your teeth with or the like needs to be treated.

For long term, buy a few of these and keep them around, they carry the shibumiseeker seal of approval for emergency supplies:

https://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-mini-filter/

 

[Lex Concord]

Just wondering.

If I need to stock pile water? I know everyone needs water. I am trying to prioritize our prep. Our property backs up to a lake.

Would we be better off to invest in a water filter and purifier? If the need arose we could easily walk to the lake.

Thanks

Paranoid thoughts for ya... Being in Indiana, it's likely that your lake exists due to a dam. What happens if the dam is breached... earthquake, heavy flooding, ...? What will your water situation look like then?

 

[spencer rifle]

Diversify your sources. Well (there are setups available for non-powered drawing), stream (state scenic river nearby, very clean), rainwater collection, pond/lake. Multiple filter/purification methods. Silver/ceramic, portable, boiling, chemical (pool shock), etc. Just like in nature, diversity is good.

 

[wcd]

Paranoid thoughts for ya... Being in Indiana, it's likely that your lake exists due to a dam. What happens if the dam is breached... earthquake, heavy flooding, ...? What will your water situation look like then?

Not in Indiana appreciate the thought though. We have a stream that supports fish frogs etc. We also have two full rain barrells at all times. I was really looking for ideas short of spending $10k on a well.

 

[churchmouse]

Not in Indiana appreciate the thought though. We have a stream that supports fish frogs etc. We also have two full rain barrells at all times. I was really looking for ideas short of spending $10k on a well.

Uh...we have earth quakes more than you know. We are on a major fault.
Never say never. I have felt 2 quakes that rattled the house.

 

[snorko]

SHTF tonight at my house. Got home to find a broken main in the street and no water service. Calmly walked down the basement and hauled up a 5 gal jug for flushing. And a couple liters for cooking. Service just came back on. A little prep goes a long way.

 

[bwframe]

If the lake water quality is decent, then that is an excellent source for emergency use. There are a number of good filters available, but you will want something more than the basic Brita or Pur filters that you use with processed tap water. I use a Berkey for drinking and cooking water from the tap, but it will also handle other water sources as needed. It is excellent at handling both biological and most chemical pollutants. Have a boil water order due to some short term problem? I don't even have to worry about drinking any bad water before the order goes out.

I've been pouring home drinking/cooking water through a Sawyer Mini for a couple years now. If there was a contamination concern, would the Berkey catch any bugs that the Sawyer wouldn't?

 

[indyjohn]

.... We also have two full rain barrells at all times. ....

My rain barrel collects from the roof of my house. After having it in place for over a year, I only use it to water the garden. The amount of filtration of solids and chemical impurities it would require to make that water potable caused me to reconsider my rainwater collection process.

 

[indyjohn]

... If there was a contamination concern, would the Berkey catch any bugs that the Sawyer wouldn't?

I like the Sawyer technology better. But really, I think at the level we need to realistically worry, either will do the job.

 

[bwframe]

I like the Sawyer technology better. But really, I think at the level we need to realistically worry, either will do the job.

I'm looking for a more elaborate pour through filtration process. Is there a cheaper solution than the Berkey that does the same filtration? I mean a (stainless) ready to go solution vs built from 5 gallon buckets?

That said, maybe the long term solution points to the Berkey?

 

[churchmouse]

I'm looking for a more elaborate pour through filtration process. Is there a cheaper solution than the Berkey that does the same filtration? I mean a (stainless) ready to go solution vs built from 5 gallon buckets?

That said, maybe the long term solution points to the Berkey?

....all ears....carry on.

 

[pudly]

I have nothing against the Sawyer. It is a very good solution for cleaning water. However, I don't see how you can use it for filtering significant quantities of water (like for a family) without building something around it to feed water through it. The Berkeys are designed for daily use. If you have a Sawyer and are happy with what it provides you, then great. If you want to produce enough for daily family use, consider a Berkey in the appropriate size. Their filters last for a ridiculously long time. If you check the numbers, their main filters will produce quality drinking water for 1.7 cents/gallon (filter cost only). They have optional secondary filters that you can add to remove flouride and a couple of other chemicals that are more expensive if desired.

 

[churchmouse]

I have nothing against the Sawyer. It is a very good solution for cleaning water. However, I don't see how you can use it for filtering significant quantities of water (like for a family) without building something around it to feed water through it. The Berkeys are designed for daily use. If you have a Sawyer and are happy with what it provides you, then great. If you want to produce enough for daily family use, consider a Berkey in the appropriate size. Their filters last for a ridiculously long time. If you check the numbers, their main filters will produce quality drinking water for 1.7 cents/gallon (filter cost only). They have optional secondary filters that you can add to remove flouride and a couple of other chemicals that are more expensive if desired.

Keep going....

 

[pudly]

I guess in short, if you are bugging out, are camping or just need a short term solution, the Sawyer is probably the better option. If you want something for long-term daily filtered water, Berkey is the better option. Both are quality solutions and aren't really direct competitors.

 

[bwframe]

I have nothing against the Sawyer. It is a very good solution for cleaning water. However, I don't see how you can use it for filtering significant quantities of water (like for a family) without building something around it to feed water through it. The Berkeys are designed for daily use. If you have a Sawyer and are happy with what it provides you, then great. If you want to produce enough for daily family use, consider a Berkey in the appropriate size. Their filters last for a ridiculously long time. If you check the numbers, their main filters will produce quality drinking water for 1.7 cents/gallon (filter cost only). They have optional secondary filters that you can add to remove flouride and a couple of other chemicals that are more expensive if desired.

That's why I'm asking. My family is small and I'm happy enough with tap water filtration that upgrading is a serous consideration. The (one) Sawyer Mini filter has as advertised rating, 100,000 gallons, lasting longer than the lifetime of most of my family.

As you mention, convenience is poor if there is a run on water though. 2 liter bottle funnel feeding a gallon bottle is somewhat slow. A larger supply of ready to consume water would be handy.

I have seen other SS container style filter systems that aren't Berkey branded for less money. Anyone know how they compare?

 

[churchmouse]

I guess in short, if you are bugging out, are camping or just need a short term solution, the Sawyer is probably the better option. If you want something for long-term daily filtered water, Berkey is the better option. Both are quality solutions and aren't really direct competitors.

Thanks.

 

[Bfish]

I am very thankful that I have well water and it's all backed up to a generator so I can pump some water for a little while at least if anything ever happens. I could pump up and store quite a bit really if need be. I know this is not the direction the thread is going but you can never undervalue one of the $20 life straws. Assuming you can find water of any kind and you should be able to, it's personal drinking water for a year with each one you have and it's only $20.