Prepping For Beginners - Water Collection, Storage, Use & Safety

[Ken K7KBJ]

Last night's session of the Northern Nevada Preppers Group Net has been posted.We continued our Prepping For Beginners series as we discussed Water Collection, Storage, Use and Safety.
Here's your link:  http://www.nnpg.net/052318_radio.shtml

Here's the chat room transcript:
7:51:08 PMKen K7KBJ - Mobile joined the channel
AC1BN - Fred joined the channel
TWP joined the channel
7:56:38 PM
TWP
HI Ken, Fred
So, looks to be a quiet night...
7:58:20 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda joined the channel
Josh K7ZIM joined the channel
7:59:43 PM
Josh K7ZIM
Evening everyone
8:00:11 PM
AC1BN - Fred
Hi TWP, Ken, Glenda and Josh
8:00:41 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Hi everyone !
8:00:43 PM
Josh K7ZIM
Hey fred
Hey ken
8:01:07 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Some previous nets on water to help you learn more...
http://www.nnpg.net/032217_radio.shtml
http://www.nnpg.net/010417_radio.shtml
http://www.nnpg.net/101916_radio.shtml
http://www.nnpg.net/Jun_4_14_radio.shtml
http://www.nnpg.net/Mar_19_14_radio.shtml
http://www.nnpg.net/Feb_26_14_radio.shtml

Some links from our information archive...
http://www.nnpg.net/OtherStuff/FEMA_Water_Guidelines.pdf
http://www.nnpg.net/OtherStuff/Water_Storage.pdf
8:01:30 PM
Josh K7ZIM
So i got no web feed today apparently.
8:01:36 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Sorry the web feed is down.
The person hosting the feed is moving
8:01:48 PM
Josh K7ZIM
Lol its ok
8:02:02 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
I heard today he will start the feed up again after he is moved in. No ETA
8:02:26 PM
TWP
Ken, that is good news
8:02:33 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
We are looking for a volunteer to host the web feed.
8:03:33 PM
Josh K7ZIM
I wish i were able to ken, or i would.
8:07:52 PM
TWP
Ok, I know that something interesting is being said, but not being able to listen makes this much harder.  Could someone offer a rough interpretation of major points being made?
8:08:13 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
I'll try :-)
We're talking about water
8:08:42 PM
TWP
Got that from your announcement email.
8:09:12 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
in case of earthquake, keep enough water for 72 hrs to a week
8:09:22 PM
TWP
We have about 30 days of stock in our apartment.  That assumes minimal usage.
8:09:37 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
pros and cons to each container type.
Think about how you would pump water out of a heavy drum
What about the water quality? Maybe only store distilled water.
8:10:14 PM
TWP
I have maps of known springs in our area, say 5 mile radius, but many are capped now and feed directly into the storm drains.
8:10:30 PM
K9RVM - Rob joined the channel
8:10:38 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Hi Rob !
8:10:38 PM
TWP
Hi Rob.
8:10:48 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Do not put water containers on concrete
8:11:04 PM
Josh K7ZIM
Thats the downside to appt living twp. We got 4 people, min 1 gal a day per person. Thats 120 gal at 7lbs per gallon, 800lbs. On the second floor thats alot of weight.
8:11:12 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
make sure you have water to take with you if bugging out
8:11:18 PM
TWP
We are storing tap water and have sterilization tablets
8:11:44 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
consider a berkey filter
8:11:51 PM
TWP
Josh, about the same as a waterbed.
8:11:58 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
or a sawyer filter
consider water testing kits
8:12:24 PM
TWP
Individual filters in our bags, ready when needed.
8:12:30 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda left the channel (timeout)
8:12:50 PM
Josh K7ZIM
I have several sayer filters, tabs, potassium permanginate, iodine crystals, bleach tabs and the like.
8:13:19 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda joined the channel
8:13:36 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Fred is on the air
he has about a dozen gallons filled
8:13:50 PM
K9RVM - Rob
Was David the first to start commenting on the topic?
8:13:59 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Yep
Fred is ready to fill a bathtub
He has an RO filter he can use
he has 20 sealed pouches of water said to have a 10 year life
8:14:51 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
.
8:15:02 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
considering picking up some chlorine tabs and a test kit
8:14:58 PM
K9RVM - Rob
.
8:15:07 PM
TWP
Bathtub bags for water are available.  You can also use a NEW waterbed for this.
8:16:03 PM
sard joined the channel
8:16:07 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
hot water heater has a supply
8:16:07 PM
Josh K7ZIM
I was thinking about the tub bags.
8:16:17 PM
TWP
Hi sard
8:16:19 PM
Josh K7ZIM
Toilet tanks too
Hey sard
8:16:42 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
Ken is on the air
8:16:48 PM
sard
hi
8:16:53 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
Hello
8:17:37 PM
TWP
sard, tonight's topic is water
8:18:01 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
In regards to wells, he has a manual pump for his well
for more info about manulal wells, email ken at k7kbj@arrl.net
he's slacking in his preps
8:19:37 PM
K9RVM - Rob
.
8:20:00 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
.
8:19:57 PM
Josh K7ZIM
.
8:20:08 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Brian is up
He's a new ham and this is his first time on our net
8:20:41 PM
TWP
sard, are you able to listen to the radio?  Our audio feed from Broadcastify is down for the foreseeable future,
8:20:49 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
he has a 100 gallon storage system to keep water in a bathtub
8:21:28 PM
AC1BN - Fred
.
8:22:42 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Jerry is up next and he's gonna wear out my fingers.
8:22:54 PM
Josh K7ZIM
Lol
8:23:09 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
He's pretty good at posting his info on the forum after so I hope he does again for this one
8:23:11 PM
TWP
Jerry will post to the forum after the net, I'm sure.
8:24:14 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
try to have enough water to keep yourself and other essentials clean
5 gal per person per day in a car and at home
this is more than what others recommend but he feels it is essential to have 4 to 5 gal
8:25:19 PM
TWP
5 gallons is A LOT of water.  I think we will go for fewer sponge baths.
8:25:34 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
he's about a block from the truckee
he has to be careful about storing water at his apartment.
Floor loading considerations must be taken into account
8:26:17 PM
TWP
The Truckee is fine in the summer, but cold most of the time...
8:26:41 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
being on the third floor, it is important to consider how to move the water.
8:26:54 PM
K9RVM - Rob
.
8:27:03 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
he does have lifting equipment he can use if needed
8:27:21 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
.
8:27:39 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
really have to consider how you will move the water from where it is stored to where it gets used
he uses a game cart which works very well for him
he is not a fan of 55 gal drums
8:28:15 PM
TWP
Bringing 5 gallons up to the third floor, every day would become a pain...  We're on the third floor too.
Kind of conspicuous too.
8:29:06 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
use proper lifting techniques, use your legs, use lifting equipment
don't try to move too much water at a time.
water could be dangerous to collect in certain situations
plan ahead and know the sources available to you and how to safely harvest
perhaps purify at the source, on the way home or AT home
depends on your situation
8:30:28 PM
TWP
We have a couple of 5 gallon water jugs, I can just barely carry that up the stairs.  I think we'd go to gallon or 2 liter containers and make multiple trips
8:30:50 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
there are many water sources in the reno area and many outside of the city
8:31:37 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
.
8:31:40 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
but, using the truckee river as an example, there are places where you can get right up to the water's edge but others not so easy to get to
make sure you have multiple systems for collecting water
8:31:58 PM
TWP
Just beware of the local lakes and ponds,  The phrase "upper duckwater" is appropriate here.  Needs heavy filtering and sanitizing if you use it for potable water sources.
8:32:33 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
he is working on an article to illustrate an intake container to use with a pump for collecting water from open sources
there can be a lot of dangerous stuff on the bottom of the water source as well as right on the surface
try to collect somewhere between 4 in from the bottom to 2 in from the surface
filters take out particulates
purifiers kill "little beasties"
that's the difference between the two terms
just having one is not enough. you need a system
The Berkey "does all of it"
8:35:48 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
Berkey is the best
8:35:50 PM
K9RVM - Rob
.
8:36:09 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
.oO
8:36:06 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
filters and purifies
8:36:24 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
pre filter water before going into the berkey
with all filters and systems, the more you take out before the water gets to your system, the better
try to start with clear water. you can use coffee filters for this
keep the parts from coffee makers when you scrap them
8:38:23 PM
TWP
Plus use a test kit if your area water may have poisonous elements (Arsenic, Chromium, etc.)
8:38:50 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
my fingers hurt.... hahahahaha
do some research and find out "what takes out what"
8:39:10 PM
Josh K7ZIM
Good job tho ken we appreciate it
8:39:22 PM
TWP
Thanks Ken,  Soak them in hot water after the 'net.
8:40:26 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
be aware of temperature in terms of what can happen to your system if it freezes
find your sources now
plan on how to get to them. multiple routes
8:41:08 PM
TWP
Ahha!  even personal filters (Sawyers, et al) can freeze one wetted.
once
8:41:46 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
it is possible the public may not be allowed access to the truckee in some circumstances
he is talking about animal and human contamination of water sources so this is why he uses multiple systems to treat water
8:42:42 PM
TWP
I'm thinking of a chemical spill on the highway down from Truckee, It could feed into the river...
8:42:59 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
TWP, so true
Especially if there is a major exodus from CA during an event
8:44:11 PM
TWP
That adds the human derived contaminants to the river.
8:44:13 PM
Josh K7ZIM
You can always rig a still from an old pressure cooker, some copper tubing to make a worm and someting to catch the waret in.
8:44:18 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
.o0O
8:45:21 PM
TWP
Josh, doesn't need to be copper, for water condensation.  It does work better, but aluminum will work too.
8:45:40 PM
Josh K7ZIM
Or a solar still if you have diract sun during the day.
8:45:53 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Wow, a lot of rechecks.
8:45:53 PM
Josh K7ZIM
True twp any tubing will work really.
8:46:00 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
I'm gonna be busy tonight !!!
Rob is next
8:46:24 PM
K9RVM - Rob
.
8:46:36 PM
TWP
Ken, only 15 min. to go <g>
8:47:02 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
6 more check-ins for round 2
8:47:26 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
can't say enough how important having water is
8:47:30 PM
TWP
Wow,, busy night on the 'net.
8:47:38 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
K9RVM, AC1BN, W7VNH, KC7NXP, K7DWW, K7KBJ
8:47:40 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
especially to new preppers
he talks about how horrible it was to go without water for two days while in the military
he will never forget it
8:48:19 PM
TWP
I'll add roof capture water to the list of sources, and emphasize the need to filter and purification.
8:48:21 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
try to go a day without water in your bug in or bug out drill
also, keep track how much water you use during your drills
Yes, you shouid drill and practice
he strongly recommends the berkey filter. Every home must have one
consider life straws
8:49:18 PM
TWP
What is the "drill and practice" of which you speak? <g>
8:49:43 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
basics.... bleach , 8 drops per gallon but bleach has a 6 mo shelf life
lots of bad advice out in the prepper community. Only get water containers that are safe for water.
8:50:39 PM
TWP
Remember to use pure chlorine bleach, no scents or other chemicals
8:50:52 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Don't use "milk jugs" cans or other unsafe containers
always use RV water safe hoses when filling containers
8:51:09 PM
Josh K7ZIM
Ok gotta run everyone.  Ken, thanks for the rundown of the net. Night all!
8:51:20 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
by josh
8:51:20 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
night Josh
8:51:23 PM
TWP
Night Josh
8:51:34 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
having pre stored water is absolutely worth it's weight in gold
don't get caught trying to find or collect water when you really need it.
Fred is nextr
8:52:10 PM
Josh K7ZIM left the channel (timeout)
8:52:19 PM
TWP
And a rotation system while your easy sources are available.
8:52:35 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
TWP, very true !
does anyone know about maps to springs and other sources of water around here?
(Yes, there are maps)
8:54:09 PM
K9RVM - Rob
BLM maps show springs and bublers
8:54:15 PM
TWP
I use the USGS topo maps
8:54:28 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Can someone post a link here ?
8:54:41 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
.
8:54:47 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Rob is talking about the BLM maps
they are very good at showing the different sources
8:55:04 PM
TWP
https://store.usgs.gov/
Free download online, or you can (should) buy hardcopy too.
8:55:50 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Awesome !!!
Lance is next
8:56:37 PM
TWP
https://www.blm.gov/maps/georeferenced-PDFs  Free downloads, you just need a PDF reader.
8:56:55 PM
K9RVM - Rob
Lance is awesome! He's one of the nicest operators out there on the air!
8:57:18 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
70 years ago on his farm in Springfield IL, he kept their milk safe in milk cans in cold storage.
They used a silver utensil or fork or spoon (pure silver) and it helped to keep the water safe.
Jim is next
8:58:35 PM
TWP
That reminds me, the pioneers, put a silver coin in their water buckets to stop algae growth.
8:59:17 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
he ran out of water during a bike ride
8:59:28 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
.
8:59:32 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
he went too long without water and became dehydrated
8:59:31 PM
TWP
Probably a good place to stash some prepper silver too.
Been there, done that too.  Not good.
9:00:01 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
he drank from a questionable source. he smelled it and tasted it first.
sounds like he was lucky and never became ill.
he says he was lucky. Don't try this at home !
David is next
9:01:50 PM
TWP
Ken, thanks again for the running commentary,  it helps.
9:02:14 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
he agrees 55 gal drums are cumbersome.
He puts them on a dolly before filling
Don't forget water for your kids and pets when storing
he strongly recommends storing dehydration pills as well.
he is talking about a filter system that was used in Africa.
9:03:40 PM
K9RVM - Rob
https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-Drum-Dolly-Pound/dp/B01H283LQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527134574&sr=8-1&keywords=55+gallon+drum+dolly
9:03:57 PM
TWP
"salt tablets" military surplus used to be avaiable.
9:04:16 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
He said the worst water was put into a container there. After putting in a couple of (unknown) pills, all the bad stuff fell to the bottom.
We need to research and find out what that filter system is.
I'm up next !
My turn !
9:05:42 PM
K9RVM - Rob
These significantly help with dehydration. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IZA46S/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
9:05:48 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Glenda warns, even our community water system can become contaminated during an emergency.
9:06:54 PM
KG7MZO - Glenda
not just during emergencies
9:07:00 PM
TWP
Flocculation and Sedimentation Water Treatment  http://www.veoliawatertechnologies.co.za/water-technologies/flocculation-sedimentation-water-treatment/
9:07:07 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Glenda takes community water straight to her berkey
Dave is up next and he's the last one for the night
9:07:53 PM
TWP
https://www.koshland-science-museum.org/water/html/en/Treatment/Coagulation-Flocculation.html
9:08:21 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
he talks about aquamirra. I don't know if that's the right spelling
9:08:20 PM
TWP
Hang in there Ken!
9:08:50 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
uses it with drums. I think it helps seal the bung
Glenda is ending the net now
9:09:27 PM
TWP
https://www.aquamira.com/ Aquamira - Water Filtration, Treatment, & Purification Products
9:09:38 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
she is tying it all up into a nice bow
9:10:10 PM
TWP
Thanks to both Glenda and Ken!
9:10:23 PM
Ken K7KBJ - Mobile
Next week our topic will be about food and food storage
Good night all !'
I have to go get a hand massage
9:10:40 PM
AC1BN - Fred left the channel (quit)
9:10:48 PM
TWP
night all

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[TWP]

Thank You Ken!

I hope your fingers have recovered.  It did help to have a running commentary on what was said, for those of us who did were not able to listen to the radio feed.

[Ken K7KBJ]

Thank You Ken!

I hope your fingers have recovered.  It did help to have a running commentary on what was said, for those of us who did were not able to listen to the radio feed.

Yep, all better now !By the way, any "police scanner" will work to let you listen to the net. I see them all the time at thrift stores for a few bucks.I'll help you set one up to listen.

[TWP]

Ken, thanks for the scanner advice.  I'll look around.

[Jerry D Young]

Wow, Ken!

Thank you!

Great job on the narration. Sorry to put you to so much work.

I will post up my article here shortly.

[Jerry D Young]

I finally have the water article re-written and a couple of drawings added, as well as some pictures of products and some links.


I hope someone will read it and check for mistakes. I wound up working on it a couple of times when I was tired and may have messed something up. If anyone sees anything, please let me know.


Everything is just my opinion.