There are some things you want to think about when considering where you are going to store your emergency supply of water. In all of emergency preparedness, there is ideal and then there is what we can really do. Budget, time, storage space, and many other factors determine how close we can get to ideal. Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up. Do what you can with what you have. Adapt to your circumstances, needs, and abilities and set a goal to upgrade as you can. Something is always better than nothing.
Keep it cool, dark, and dry.
Whenever you are storing something for the long term, the ideal conditions are cool, dark, and dry.
Temperature extremes promote bacteria and algae growth. Limit extremes in temperatures in storage areas as much as possible. An ideal storage location would be in constant temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees.
Light from the sun, and even artificial light, breaks down the integrity of water containers, causing them to become brittle or leak. Standard 55 gallon blue water barrels in direct sunlight can start to fall apart within five years. Sunlight, via photosynthesis, also causes algae to grow. Limit sunlight, or even any light, as much as possible in water storage areas.
Water condensation or spills will promote microbial growth which creates toxic gasses that can pass through container walls into your water. Put water on a pallet, 2x4s or something to allow air to circulate under and around the container. Elevating the container off the ground allows the moisture to evaporate.
Think about emptying and refilling before filling
Full water barrels and tanks weigh hundreds if not thousands of pounds. An empty 55 gallon barrel weighs about 25 pounds when empty and about 480 pounds when full. Once it’s full, it’s not moving. Find a place that makes it easy to empty and fill your containers.
Do not store directly on the concrete
Put on a pallet, 2x4s or something to allow air to circulate under and around the container. Water condensation or spills will promote microbial growth which creates toxic gasses. Elevating the container off the ground allows the moisture to evaporate. Concrete also emits toxic gasses. Elevation allows the gasses to dissipate rather than be trapped underneath to eventually be absorbed. Also store water only where potential leakage would not damage your home or apartment.
Multiple storage locations
As the old saying goes, don’t keep all your eggs in one basket. Store water in more than one location because if one area is lost or damaged in an emergency, you have more elsewhere.
Ideal Water Storage Locations: Indoors in a basement or food storage room.
OK Water Storage Locations: Garage, storage shed, and under sinks. Rotate every one to two years. Beware of proximity to possible chemical contaminants and odors that could seep through the plastic wall of the storage container.
Last Resort Water Storage Location: Outside. Store on the north side of the house or another outbuilding and cover with a heavy tarp to help prevent sunlight from reaching the containers and to protect from other contaminants deposited by wind, rain, and animals. Rotate at least every 6 months in spring and fall. Don’t fill to the top, leave a little room for expansion from possible freezing and heating. Replace containers every 5 to 10 years. Remember to NOT store it directly on the ground.