Start Here

If this is your first time to the site then please read the Welcome Page.

Feel you are the only one concerned about the future? Read Am I Alone?

This site will help you generate Shopping Lists and To Do Lists from your specific set of risks and concerns. The Get Started Here page, also available via the Toolbar, will walk you through it.

The Forum will help you discuss your issues, learn about how others and tailor your preperations for your situation.

How we need to prepare


Categories

Keeping yourself alive – Water

As we know Water is probably the single most important commodity we control that we need to live. We can go several days without food, warmth and sleep but only about three days without water. I’m ignoring air for this scenario as we cannot keep nor control the air and anything that takes it away from us for more than a few minutes is beyond our control without expensive and limiting equipment.

I’ve looked at what I can do about water and have covered the supply and demand by several diffirent methods.

First of all I have a supply of bottled water and a water tank, around nine months worth stored in the loft. It is there to allow us to keep our heads down in the house with a view to keeping off everyones radar. Depending on the weather and the circumstances it may last longer. It is calculated out at the absolute minimum for four for one year. This is my primary supply for immediate use.

Next up I have several water filters. A large Berkeley and several spare candles plus several smaller filters designed to be carried with you on trips. Obviously the larger filter is for family use while the smaller filters are for when we are out and about and, importantly, in a BoB if we are on the run and cut off from water.

The intention is that once things quieten down I will put the filter in place and use that over the bottled water. I have purchased some large swimming pools which I will assemble for water capture as well as sheets of plastic to funnel the rain into the pools. That coupled with my existing rain collection system into barrels should quickly suppliment my water supply.

I am fortunate enough to live near several streams and not too far away is a small river. About a mile away is a large estuary but that requires going through the town which I would rather avoid. I can easily suppliment the collected water from the streams or the river if the rain is not producing enough.

For the summer I also have a solar water collector which can be used to supplement the supply but again this is more for when we are out and about. This does not produce the water needed and requires you to be static. It is not worth the effort unless you are living on a boat imo. In which case it is a good investment.

As a safety net, I like to reduce risks, I have water purification tablets as well as chlorine and bleach tablets to purify water. Most of those are intended for barter but you never know.

Longer term there are several water collection methods I have planned for involving neighbours roofing around my home. Using piping to collect water where at the moment it is discarded. I also have the components to build a sand and gravel water filter to aid in the filtration and at the very least take the load from the Berkeley candles.

I think that covers my water requirements at home. If I am forced to BO the smaller filters can cover our water requirements for a while and eventually I should be able to return home. Our house having little strategic value.

The risk though is there though. My water collection and storage is based around the house. Without the tools in there our water purification will last about six months and is reliant of the filters in the BoB.

6 comments to Keeping yourself alive – Water

  • Ellen

    Water is indeed the one thing that will make or break you. I am having a slight problem with storage. I do have filters for the house and as I am not bugging out haven’t bought the ones for that. Really need to as I might run into a pothole-puddle in the alley.
    At least you are blessed with a water source near you. Count yourself extremely lucky.

  • grannymike

    water storeage is a big problem at present we got two 400 gallon tanks for drinking water need more the us guide lines is 45 gallions per person per day but thats for all water use bath and loo waste the most will use grey water for loo and set up compost loo long term need got springs on land and could use that too if every one saved rainwater in butts tanks that would go a long way

  • Von

    Hozelok (think that’s their name!) manufacture a portable shower unit based on a garden sprayer, could be a great item to help conserve water, or for bugging out

  • fred

    It struck me – what do you do if you have it all prepped like that and a friend of the family rolls up, calling for you?

  • Skean Dhude

    Fred, I don’t understand what you are asking. This is no different than someone turning up at your door ATSHTF. All the water, except those in the butts, and the filters are hidden and the butts are just ordinary butts. There are many people with them up most streets.

  • I FOUND ONE GREAT WAY OF CONSERVING WATER & BEING ABLE TO HAVE A HOT SHOWER, THAT WILL LAST UP TO 5 MINS +.
    I USE ONE OF THOSE HAND PUMP POWER WASHERS,(3 LTR SIZE IS FINE – COST APROX £7.00.) YOU HEAT UP 2 LTRS OF WATER TO THE HEAT YOU CAN STAND, ADD TO IT 10 MLS OF SHAMPOO,(OR THE SIZE OF ONE OF THOSE SMALL BROWN ESSENTIAL OIL BOTTLES) GIVE IT A QUICK STIR.
    YOU CAN REPLACE THE EXISTING OUTLET WITH A CHEAP SHOWER HEAD, PUMP IT UP TO 30 TIMES & YOUR GOOD TO GO FOR 5 MINS +.(IF IT STOPS BEFORE THE WATER RUNS OUT PUMP IT ANOTHER 20 OR SO TIMES)
    HOLD THE HEAD OR FIX TO WALL/TREE ETC.
    BUT ALSO, IF YOU USE A SILVER EMERGENCY TENT FROM THE POUND SHOP, YOU CAN GET THEM FOR LIKE, YOU KNOW……..A POUND!!L.O.L.
    IF YOU GATHER IT UP AT ONE END & SECURE IT WITH A RUBBER BAND & USE THAT AS THE BOTTOM, GET INSIDE, PULL IT UP & SECURE AT THE TOP WITH SHOWER CLIPS & YOU HAVE YOUR PRIVACY.
    ALSO YOU CAN SAVE THE USED SHOWER WATER & REHEAT FOR CLOTHES WASHING, & WHEN THAT’S DONE YOU CAN USE THE RESULTING GREY WATER FOR TOILET FLUSHING,HOT WATER BOTTLES,& ANYTHING ELSE YOU MAY THINK OF.

    P.S. IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE SHOWER CLIP IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO FOLD A FEW TIMES AROUND A HOOLA HOOP & PAD IT SO THE CLIP DOES NOT RIP THE SILVER TENT, & IF YOU TIE STRING TO 3 – 4 POINTS ON THE HOOP, LEAD THEM TO A CENTRAL POINT & HANG FROM A SINGLE HOOK, JOB DONE.

    P.P.S. IF YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN USE ONE OF THOSE PLANT MISTERS, COST £3.00. SAME PROCESS OF HEATING, THOUGH 1 LTR OF WATER & LESS SHAMPOO (TO TASTE)THEN JUST HAND SPREY & RUB DOWN WITH A ‘J’ CLOTH ETC.
    DRYING OFF IN BOTH INSTANCES IS BEST DONE WITH A MEDIUM SIZE MICRO FIBRE TOWEL, THEY DRY A LOT QUICKER THAN TERRY’S,+ THEY FEEL SOFTER. – FARE YOU WELL PEOPLE, ENJOY!!.