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[@CityPrepping] 3 Mistakes Preppers Make When Storing Water - 2026

· 5 min read
[@CityPrepping] Summarizer
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@CityPrepping - "3 Mistakes Preppers Make When Storing Water - 2026"

Link: https://youtu.be/5GP8jCxAi7g

Short Summary​

This video emphasizes the critical importance of water storage for emergency preparedness, highlighting potential water supply failures due to various disasters. It provides practical guidance on proper water storage techniques, including container selection, treatment with bleach, storage location, rotation schedules, and estimated quantity needed per person, ensuring a safe and reliable water supply during emergencies.

Key Quotes​

Okay, here are five direct quotes from the provided transcript that represent valuable insights or strong opinions:

  1. "When it happen, shelves, they empty fast, and people realize too late that they cannot live more than a few days without it." (Highlights the urgency and importance of water preparedness)

  2. "Opaque just means light can't get through. Light and air feed the growth that ruins water." (Simple explanation of why opaque containers are necessary)

  3. "Rotation, it's not about expiration. It's about inspection." (Emphasizes that checking stored water is more important than just blindly discarding it based on time)

  4. "Avoid these mistakes and you are already ahead of 90% of the people." (Provides a clear incentive to take action and gives a sense of how important even basic precautions are)

  5. "Water is the one prep that keeps you alive no matter what else fails. You can go weeks without food, but only days without water. That's why this is the number one prep." (Emphasizes the vital importance of water storage over all other preparedness efforts.)

Detailed Summary​

Here's a detailed summary of the YouTube video transcript, presented in bullet points:

Key Topic: Emergency Water Storage

  • The video emphasizes water storage as the most crucial aspect of emergency preparedness (prepping).
  • It highlights the increasing risk of losing access to safe drinking water due to various threats (floods, cyber attacks, system failures).
  • Focus is on safe, long-term water storage to ensure availability when municipal water supplies are disrupted.

Reasons for Water Deterioration & Prevention:

  • Microbial Growth:
    • Cause: Bacteria, algae, and viruses thriving in light, warmth, and oxygen.
    • Prevention: Store water in sealed, opaque, food-grade containers away from sunlight.
    • Adding bleach as a disinfectant.
  • Chemical Leeching:
    • Cause: Using improper containers or storing near fumes/chemicals.
    • Prevention: Only use food-grade containers (HDPE #2 is common but always check with the manufacturer), and store water at least 10 feet away from chemicals, oils, and flammables.
    • Avoid storing water barrels directly on concrete. Use 2x4s as a barrier.
  • Environmental Contamination:
    • Cause: Bad seals, cracked lids, or pinholes allowing contaminants in.
    • Prevention: Inspect containers before filling, store in a cool, stable place (50-70°F or 10-21°C), and protect containers from falling debris.

Water Treatment with Bleach:

  • Use plain, unscented household bleach with 6% or 8.25% sodium hypochlorite. Avoid splashless, scented, or color-safe bleach.
  • Dosage:
    • 6% bleach: 8 drops per gallon (2 drops per liter)
    • 8.25% bleach: 6 drops per gallon (1.5 drops per liter)
  • Bleach is for maintaining the safety of already treated water, not for treating contaminated water from the wild.
  • Filter and disinfect (with bleach or boiling) if you are unsure of the water's quality.

Rotation and Shelf Life:

  • Water itself doesn't expire, but check stored water every 6-12 months.
  • Rotation is for inspection, not just expiration.
  • Look for cloudiness or odor. Filter the water before drinking.
  • Aerate water by pouring between two containers to remove flat taste.
  • Use a charcoal filter pitcher to remove plastic taste or odor.

How Much Water to Store:

  • Minimum: 1 gallon per person per day for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.
  • Ideal: 2 gallons per person per day.
  • Recommendation: Store at least a 3-week supply for everyone in the household (including pets).
  • Start small and gradually increase your supply if space is limited.

Water Storage Options:

  • Smaller (5-7 gallon) containers are portable.
  • 55-gallon barrels (heavy when full, require pump or siphon).
  • Smaller water storage tanks with spigots.
  • Water bricks (stackable, good for apartments).
  • WaterBOB (bathtub water bladder, stores up to 100 gallons).
  • IBC totes (270+ gallons, check previous contents for food-grade safety).
  • Use a mix of container sizes for flexibility.

Labeling and Tracking:

  • Label containers with the fill date, level if possible, fill source, and treatment method.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Reusing juice/detergent bottles.
  • Storing water near fuel/chemicals.
  • Leaving clear containers in sunlight.
  • Forgetting to label containers.
  • Filling containers completely in freezing climates.

Checklist for Water Storage:

  • Choose correct food-grade, opaque containers.
  • Choose a storage location.
  • Fill, dose (with bleach), and label.
  • Check water biannually or annually.
  • Rotate (if preferred).
  • Filter, boil, or re-chlorinate before drinking if unsure.

Concluding Remarks:

  • Water storage is the most important prep.
  • Downloadable free guide with a water storage chart and calculator is available.
  • Additional videos on water storage options and DIY water filters are recommended.