Rain water collection

[Jericho72]

i have seen on doomsday preppers that people are collecting rain water in 55 gallon barrels is there any way to purify this as it is being collected? We have been sitting here racking our brains on how to heat and purify at the same time in order to make our home more self sufficient anyone have any ideas????

[mitunnelrat]

Here, I did a little googling and found an article that may be of some help

http://www.google.com/gwt/x?gl=US&hl=en-US&u=http://www.gutterglove.com/News/GuttergloveNewsBlog/tabid/115/entryid/11/Default.aspx&client=ms-rim&q=potable+water+downspout+filter&sa=X&ei=wGHbUIToH4rlrQGuyIHYAw&ved=0CB8QFjAA

ETA: from what I understand, painting collection barrels black will improve their ability to heat the water as a passive solar system.

[Echo2]

That's a loaded question....there are literally thousands of ways to do it.

We have pre filters and pool shock for a back up to the springs.

Also a solar heat exchanger for the external shower.

Like everyone else....you'll have to do some home work to find the system that works right for you.

Could you give a run down of your setup so far?

[ak474u]

Best you can do if you have a composition roof, is what I think the rain water guys call a "roof washer" which doesn't was the roof, but collects sediment, leaves etc, only allowing water to get to the tank.

[Evolver]

I posted a "Bringing Your Solar Shower In thread" awhile back that might help on a part of your question. Here is a link.

http://www.shtfready.com/threads/898-Bringing-your-solar-showers-in?highlight=solar+water+bags

[msomnipotent]

I know you really didn't ask about this, but you might want to check to see if your municipality considers collecting rain water as stealing before you put in barrels. As strange as it may sound, the water may not belong to you. In that case, I suggest adding some bushes and painting the barrels to match.

[ElevenBravo]

I collect off one downspout into a 55 gal barrel. I have a small pool float that I keep one "disk" or "tablet" of chlorine in, the same as is sold for pool use.

Now, this in it's self does NOT provide safe drinking water on tap, but it DOES help keep alge, skeeters, etc.. at bay.

My primary reason is for flush water, and with a filter like MSR, etc... it would be a final backup of drinking water.

HTH,
EB