Water storage

[Socalman]

So here in the suburbs there are not a lot of good places to store those 55 gallon or larger water barrels so I have used the 6 gallon and 7 gallon plastic jugs produced by Reliance, a firm from Canada. Another reason to use the smaller containers is to move them to another location if it should be necessary.

Today I was rotating some of the water jugs that had been stored for 13 months. One, actually my oldest jug, dating back to April of 2010 sprang a pinhole leak. It was in a creased area that had been damaged a few years ago when I banged it against a door sill.

All in all, I have been happy with the Reliance products, just want to warn you that if you do manage to bend or crease one, keep an eye on it for possible leaking.

[bacpacker]

I have a few 5 and 7 gallon jugs from them. They are at least 20 years old, or real close to it. They have held up great.

[gunnermax]

I bought a Reliance 5.5 gallon grey water storage jug the day before yesterday from Field and Stream. $20. Its holding water now, and its about to be transferred to the back of my truck. I searched it on amazon before I bought it, and it had great reviews.

[jamesneuen]

For water storage for me, I have to look at a large underground system because of the temperature where I am now.

[Socalman]

Just read my headline..SOTRAGE?

By the way my original post was not meant as a knock to the Reliance containers, just be careful if you bang them up!

[realist]

Anytime you bang something you have to be careful...........

[Stormfeather]

Anytime you bang something you have to be careful...........

Aint that the truth. There was this one time in Tijuana...

[Sniper-T]

thread title fixed.

I believe you are referring to these:

https://relianceproducts.com/products/hydration/187.html

I don't know if I've even seen anything but these around. they're pretty much the norm.

[Socalman]

Sniper-T I have a couple of those, they are good units! The one that I had that sprang the leak where it was bent was shaped more like a gerry can.

[bacpacker]

I have a couple of those as well. Never had a problem with them.

[gunnermax]

mine is grey, also shaped like a jerry can. I also picked up another 5 gallon diesel can.

[Socalman]

With the recent storms that have finally come to So. Calif., I managed to save quite a bit of roof runoff. Some of the 5 gallon buckets, with lids, that filled were at one time holding pool chemicals, floor wax, cat litter, etc. and will only be used for watering the garden. The brand new, large trash barrel with lid will be saved and could be used for drinking.

[Illini Warrior]

With the recent storms that have finally come to So. Calif., I managed to save quite a bit of roof runoff. Some of the 5 gallon buckets, with lids, that filled were at one time holding pool chemicals, floor wax, cat litter, etc. and will only be used for watering the garden. The brand new, large trash barrel with lid will be saved and could be used for drinking.


garbage cans are almost always from re-cycled plastics - never ever food grade for obvious reasons - you don't count stored water as potable ....

[Fidel MD]

When I lived in the Burbs I daisy chained 4 55 gallon plastic drums (which I purchased new) into the water line...So I had 200 gallons of fresh water that refreshed itself every time someone flushed or used water.

Cheap, easy to do since the water line was right by the garage door, a 1-day project at best.

Now I have a well, and a cistern, and 4 IBCs plumbed into it all.... Oh and a great big honking lake.

[Socalman]

garbage cans are almost always from re-cycled plastics - never ever food grade for obvious reasons - you don't count stored water as potable ....

I should have mentioned in the post that this is water that will be used on the garden when the rain stops. I would never store water in plastics that is not food grade.

[Kesephist]

Is there a spray on or paint on food-grade lining material? Seems a shame to waste the capacity otherwise.

[Illini Warrior]

Is there a spray on or paint on food-grade lining material? Seems a shame to waste the capacity otherwise.


there's a number of requirements by the FDA - but the first & prime requirement is that only virgin plastic is used - never ever recycled plastics .... if you look over the types of containers that are included under the #2 recycle symbol they include petroleum products, petrochems like pesticides & herbicides, cleaners & detergents, acids, ect ect ..... the last thing you want is your food or water coming anywhere near contaminated plastic ....

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

Now I have a well, and a cistern, and 4 IBCs plumbed into it all.... Oh and a great big honking lake.

I guess that means it has a lot of geese campin out there right?

Sounds like you got it wired tight.

[Fidel MD]

For important things, I have at least 4 alternatives - Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency....PACE.

Water is certainly important. And the geese have left me alone this winter :) Filthy creatures...

[Kesephist]

Annoying to be sure. I mind in my boyhood in Iowa the creatures would fly so low that I'd be itching for a big enough throwing rock to knock one down.

As for PACE... back in the day, NASA called it "defense in depth" but they went only two levels , not four.

[Brownwater Riverrat 13]

HEY, hey, hey, now, don't let Sniper hear you talkin like that. He call them "flying rib-eye" as I recall. He has a way with meat, you might want to tap into this one's recipe. I'm not kidding.................

[Sniper-T]

Geese are pretty much vermin up here, and I love hunting season each fall, as they are made of meat!

In an emergency situation, I wouldn't discount water from a non-food grade barrel, any more than I would discount it from a ditch, creek, or pond. Filter/boil, and you're good to go.