We've got great water technology of our own at Emergency Essentials. A monster of a water storage container. I’m not kidding—it’s huge. It holds 160 gallons of water (that’s the equivalent of three 55-gallon barrels) while taking just 7.2 square feet of floor space. It’s called the
160 Gallon Water Reserve.
Here are some quick reasons why we think the
Water Reserve is so great (and why we’re sure you’ll think so, too):
- It’s made with BPA-free plastic.
- The plastic has been enhanced with UV resistance properties (more sun protection!) to increase the life of your water and the life of the barrel itself.
- It’s FDA and NSF approved.
- It’s stackable (up to two high).
- It fits through a standard door frame so you can put it just about anywhere.
In reality, you should be storing water even when there’s no drought in sight. If a disaster or emergency were to hit your city, it could be a while before potable water (water that’s safe to drink) became available. For example, after Hurricane Sandy, it was a month before some areas could use their tap water without boiling it first.
Consider the following: The
minimum recommended amount of stored water per adult is 1 gallon per day. That’s 14 gallons for two weeks. Per adult. And that’s going easy on your water.
FEMA guidelines tell people to use ½ of the gallon for drinking and ½ for cooking and washing. On one gallon of water per day you’re gonna feel like you’re camping, even if you’re still living in your house.
If you have a family of 4 (two adults and two children under 12) you’ll need at least 4 gallons of water daily. That’s if you don’t have to wash up any sticky hands, muddy feet, or poopy diapers/clothing. Or flush the toilets. We recommend that you count your kids as adults; you’ll definitely be able to use the “extra” water. So if you were to store four gallons a day, times 14, you’ll have 56 gallons of water. You may have a bigger family, or pets. You’ll probably also want to drink more water, wash dishes, do a little laundry, wash your hair, flush toilets, and not feel pressured to conserve so strictly. You’re gonna need more water than you think.
You’ll also need more water if your food storage is built on freeze dried and dehydrated foods. Most food storage is. Generally the food requires less than a cup of water per serving, but you should still factor that info your water supply needs.
With the Water Reserve you don’t have to rotate your water as frequently, especially if it’s stored properly. And when you do want to access the water there are two taps—in addition to the hose outlets—for easy access.
The Water Reserve is an innovative solution to many of the common water storage troubles. Get your
Water Reserve from Emergency Essentials and save on shipping.
Here are three articles that give you good information on the basics of storing water.
- Water Storage Overview
- Water Storage Options
- Water Filtration and Purification
SOURCES:
http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/boilwater/sandy/#s1
http://www.metroblooms.org/bloomsblog/2012/10/31/hurricane-sandy-effects-water-quality/
http://water.usgs.gov/
20 comments
Dave
I am surprised there is no mention of potable water vs. utility water. Storing fresh water in food grade tanks to drink or cook with is necessary, but you do not need that quality water to flush a toilet, wash boots, Etc. I wouldn’t drink water from my downspouts or puddles, (or sea water), but that raw water is fine for many things and should be figured into the overall plan. A few extra (cheap) barrels for downspouts should not be ignored. Not to mention that utility water can be distilled and filtered for consumption with little effort. Water storage is temporary – to get you through an event. Having the capability to manufacture potable water by distillation and filtering is the real answer.
Johnd836
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Brad Richards
So according to my calculations I would need 3 Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment, correct?
beprepared
Hi Brad,
We’re estimating the total weight to be 1296.5 lbs. That’s 44 pounds for the Water Reserve, calculating the weight of a gallon of water at 8.35 lbs, and putting in 150 gallons of water. We’re guessing that you’ll leave a little space for expansion if some of the water freezes, or to avoid overflow from the pressure from another Water Reserve stacked on top. If you fill the Water Reserve to 160 gallons, then it would weigh 1380 lbs.
If you’re interested in how the weight of water is calculated, read Doctor Fwg’s response on this page. http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/view/56329.html.
beprepared
AnnM, Oh man that would stink! Seems like most people are keeping theirs in the garage.
beprepared
Hi Virginia,
You make a great point. We use A LOT more water than we think and are in for a rude awakening if we have to live off of one gallon a day! My understanding of FEMA’s recommendation for water storage is that it’s based on the bare minimum of water that an adult would need to survive. If you can store more water, do it.
Brad Richards
What is the total weight of this product when it is full of water? I want to build a stand to support this product.
PreThanx!
Virginia
FEMA is sooooo way off of what we average per month. Everyone in this house is going to have a very RUDE awakening if a disaster happens around here. I am the FRUGAL person in this household of 6, so I probably will be able to wisely use my 1 gal/day.
beprepared
WOOPS! Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/Zy58Zn
Thanks for pointing that out MT!
MT
Looks great. You say to get it from you, but I can’t find it on your site, and you haven’t linked to it in this article. :(
Miles
Given the diagram it looks like it takes up 7.25 square feet of floor space.
AnnM
Good idea, but that’s a lot of weight in a small amount of floor space (especially if you’re looking at stacking them). If you’re not careful about where you put this it might just end up in the basement!
Clay Alexander
what’s the price of this thing
beprepared
Hi, Brad. Here is the May special on the Water Reserve combo:
http://beprepared.com/320-gallon-ultimate-water-reserve-combo.html?sc=BLOG&oc=BP0001A118
—Sarah
beprepared
Hi Clay, This month the 320 Ultimate Water Reserve Combo is on sale. Copy and paste this link into your browser to see it: http://beprepared.com/320-gallon-ultimate-water-reserve-combo.html?sc=BLOG&oc=BP0001A262
Sean
@Clay …. $420…. it sure is nice, I just don’t have that kind of extra money, with how expensive everything is these days.
beprepared
Yep that’s right. You seem like you’re really interested so I’ll let you in on a little insider knowledge… in May we’re having a sale on a Water Reserve combo that will include 2 Water Reserves, 6 packets of Aquamira, and a drinking-safe hose.
beprepared
Hi Brad,
Great questions! Isn’t that lower valve great? It makes using your stored water sooo much easier.
We don’t currently sell a stand, and I don’t think we’re planning to. When I watched the supplier’s video they just had it on the concrete floor. Here’s a link to that vid: http://bit.ly/17iprPW. Even though that’s how they showed it, it still seems like a good idea to lift it off the ground. I’m going to keep mine on a pallet, another of my co-workers uses a couple of 2 × 4′s.
Brad Richards
Do you have a stand for this tank full of water, plans for a stand or recommendations? With the lower valve at the bottom I may like to fill a pitcher with water.
Brad Richards
YES! Please e-mail me a link to the special package deal!
THANKS!