There are many ways to store water, depending on your needs and the available space. Some common methods include:
- Barrels or drums: These can be used to store small to medium amounts of water for short periods. They are typically made of plastic or metal and can be purchased at many home improvement stores.
- Tanks: These can be used to store large amounts of water for long periods. They are often made of plastic or metal and can be purchased in various sizes. Some tanks are designed to be buried underground, while others can be placed above ground.
- Pools: Swimming pools can be used to store large amounts of water for recreational purposes. They can be made of concrete, fibreglass, or other materials and can be found in a variety of sizes and shapes.
- Wells: These are used to store water collected from underground sources, such as aquifers. Wells can be dug by hand or by machine and are often used to provide a source of water for homes and businesses.
- Cisterns and water butts: These are containers that are used to store rainwater that has been collected from rooftops or other surfaces. Cisterns can be made of concrete, plastic, or other materials and can be used to water gardens, flush toilets, and more.
Water Collection Ideas
There are many ways to collect water, depending on your location and the availability of natural resources. Some common methods include:
- Rainwater harvesting: This involves collecting and storing rainwater that falls on rooftops or other surfaces. Rainwater can be collected in barrels, water butts, tanks, or cisterns and can be used for irrigation, flushing toilets, and more. Please read the latest rainwater harvesting UK laws here.
- Surface water collection: This involves collecting water from rivers, streams, lakes, and other bodies of water. Surface water can be collected using buckets, containers, or pumps and can be used for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes.
- Groundwater collection: This involves collecting water from underground sources, such as aquifers. Wells are the most common method of groundwater collection and can be dug by hand or by machine. Do note that you cannot simply dig anywhere for water, laws apply.
- Snow and ice collection: In areas with cold climates, snow and ice can be collected and melted for use as drinking water. This method is most effective in areas with clean, fresh snow and ice.
- Dehumidification: This involves collecting water vapour from the air and condensing it into liquid water. Dehumidifiers are commonly used in humid environments to reduce indoor humidity and can be used to collect small amounts of water.
Water Purification Tips
Here are some tips for purifying water:
- Boiling: Boiling is a simple and effective way to purify water. Bring the water to a rolling boil for at least one minute to kill most pathogens. Let the water cool before drinking.
- Chlorine bleach: read the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use.
- Water purification tablets: These tablets contain chemicals that can kill pathogens in water. Follow the instructions on the package for the correct amount to use.
- Water filters: Water filters can be used to remove contaminants from water. There are many types of water filters available, including pitchers with built-in filters, faucet-mounted filters, and portable filters.
- Distillation: This method involves boiling water and collecting the steam, which is then condensed back into water. The steam will not contain contaminants, so the resulting water will be purified.
- Solar still: A solar still is a simple device that can be used to purify water in a survival situation. It consists of a container of water, a smaller container to catch the purified water, and a transparent cover. Sunlight shines through the cover and heats the water, causing it to evaporate. The water vapour condenses on the cover and drips into the smaller container, leaving contaminants behind.
Safety – water borne diseases
Remember that even purified water can attract bacteria etc. if it is not properly purified or the water storage system you are using is not regularly cleaned. Read more here about keeping your water supplies clean.
Finally, this is just a brief guide to water storage and purification and any information herein is based on our own research. If stored water is not purified or stored correctly, it can transmit serious water-borne diseases to humans. So, if you are in any doubt, please seek professional help and advice.
