Sunday, July 15, 2012

How Much Water Do I Need??

Following is contents of an email to a friend that I thought would be good to post here

Question:
"...do you agre with this article (water - most important requirement for life) when it says we should have two 55-gal containers of water PER PERSON? that seems really high for a slightly larger family of 4-6. That would be 1 gal per day for 3 months. But for 6 people, twelve 55-gal containers would take up a large room or half my garage...I also have a couple of filters and some Bleach on hand, but I thought I was in good shape with 150 gallons..."
Response:

FEMA recommends the follow on their website:

How Much Water do I Need?

You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.
Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:
  • Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
  • Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
  • Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
  • A medical emergency might require additional water.
But in my mind, FEMA is a bare minimum...for example, my family:

5 gal per day X 3 days = 15 gallons – seems way to little
            5 gal per day X 2 weeks = 70 gallons – two weeks is more realistic
            10 gal per day X 2 weeks = 140 gallons – more comfortable living (drinking, washing, supporting other less prepared family members, etc)

I think you are right on.  Sometimes articles from “prepper” websites can be a little excessive.  On the other hand, it is very well worth it to be over-prepared that under-prepared.  Also, remember other sources of water in your home, like the water heater, water pipes, toilet tanks, etc.

And, great job on having filters, bleach and other ways to purify water…!!

I suggest to people that have the big 55gal drums, to also have a few 5 gallon containers placed around the home, in closets or something, for 3 reasons:
           
1.       if we have an earthquake and half the house lands on your main water supply, you may be able to find a 5 gal container you placed in your house in a separate location.
2.       if you need to evacuate the area, it’s much easier to take 5 gal container with you.
3.       if you run out of water and a water truck is dispatched to the area, you can take that empty 5 gal container to fill.

Just some thoughts…

55 Gallon Barrel Uses

I found some interesting videos on YouTube on what people have done with their 55 gallon water storage drums.  Check them out!!

Multi-level storage system to make:
Multi-level storage system to purchase:
Rain water collection system
A compost tumbler:
A root cellar

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Bulk Water Container Order - Foothill Stake Area


Bulk Water Container Order

For anyone living within the Foothill Stake boundaries, we have a great opportunity to purchase, in bulk, water containers.  These are food grade containers in various sizes for your home emergency water storage needs. Below are the item we will be purchasing.
55 Gal drum   

DRUMS
55 gallon Blue Drum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $31.94 ea
30 gallon Blue Drum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $34.93 ea
15 gallon Blue Drum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22.87 ea



DRUM PUMPS
4A Siphon Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.71 ea
1/2" Self Priming Super Siphon Hose . . . . …. . . $7.12 ea



5-GAL WATER CONTAINERS
5 Gal
5 gallon Natural Hedpak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.25 ea
Cap included
5 gallon Blue Square - stackable . . . . . . ... . . . $6.41 ea
Cap not included–use M082T
Cap for Blue Container above. . . . . . . . . . ... . . $0.50 ea



SPIGOTS
3/4" Flo-Rite Spigot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.11 ea


Pricing shown are approximate…you will be contacted with our actual price when our quantity discount is determined.


Dates to remember:

  • July 27th           Orders are due in to Dave Anderson 6th Ward – email slcfoothillnet@gmail.com
  • August 3rd         Payments are due
  • August 10th       Pickup containers 6pm – 8pm or to be determined


Those purchasing will receive a confirmation email, sent by myself, on their order and a request for payment.  

Payments need to be received no later than Friday, August 3rd.

Pick up your water containers at the LDS Church building at 1933 So. 2100 E. Parking lot on Friday, August 10th. 

(Note: We can not store any containers for later pickup – ALL CONTAINERS MUST BE PICKED UP THIS DAY)

Click here for the order form:

Bulk Water Container Order Form






Thursday, July 5, 2012

KSL - 5 Things Our Evacuation Call Taught Me

KSL.com has posted an article written by Connie Sokol on 5 things she learned from her fire evacuation in Utah County.

Click on the link below:

          5 things our evacuation call taught me

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Wildfire threatens homes near Alpine



I was forwarded an article from ABC 4 news that talked about evacuations in the Alpine fire area:




"The Box Elder and Alpine Cove subdivisions and Lambert Park recreation area were placed under a mandatory evacuation order. Around 500 homes were evacuated.
Hundreds of campers staying in American Fork Canyon were also evacuated.
The Utah County Sheriff's Office told ABC 4 News that a search and rescue team was deployed in American Fork Canyon to locate a a family that was unaccounted for. Utah County deputies did not believe the family was in any imminent danger, but they just wanted them to evacuate as a precaution. Sheriff's deputies said the group was in an area a good distance from the fire. They were later located and evacuated safely.
Evacuees were asked to go to the LDS church on Heritage Hills and Main Street in Alpine, but were later moved to Timberline Middle School at 500 W Canyon Crest Road in Alpine, where the Utah Red Cross had established a reception center. There was some confusion as to where the reception center would be located throughout the day, as officials announce Lone Peak High School as the evacuation location before settling on Timberline MS."

As we think of what it might be like for the families affected with evacuations, we can ask ourselves the following questions -- 
  • Am I ready to evacuate my family at a moments notice?
  • Do I have a 72hr kit handy for each member of my family to take?
  • Do I have your important papers such as birth certificates, marriage licence, passports, wills, etc. available to quickly grab?
  • Do I have electronic backup of your important documents, pictures, etc. on a zip drive to quickly grab?
  • Do I have a plan to meet up with your family if we are separated?
  • Do I know which buildings in your area are possible evacuation centers?
  • Do I have cash on hand? 
  • Do I have any medications I may require in my 72hr kit or in an easy to grab place?
  • Do I have a plan for my pets?


If you have other ideas to include, please send comments on the post below.







Sunday, July 1, 2012

Water - Most Important Requirement For Life


NEXT TO AIR, WATER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT FOR LIFE. MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH ON HAND. THINK WATER STORAGE.

Water that we take for granted when things are normal becomes absolutely critical in times of an emergency. This is an area you can't afford to overlook in your preparedness preparations. Fact: "The human body can't survive even one week without water". In general terms, the human body requires 4 times as much water as food. Therefore, for every pound of food consumed in one day, it is necessary to consume about 4 pounds of water (which is about 1/2 gallon).

NOTE: The easiest way to store the bulk of your water storage is in 55 gallon polyethylene (plastic) water storage drums (FDA approved for storing drinking water). You simply fill the drums up with your own tap water. We recommend two 55 gallon drums of water storage per person.  Before filling a drum with water, make sure the NPT plug (fine thread; non-white cap) is not positioned next to a wall etc. It should be on the top front side of the drum for easy access, because this is the bung hole that the drum pumps thread into.

Remember also that you have several sources of water already in your home that can be tapped in an emergency such as your hot water heater, toilet tanks (don't use water from a tank that contains colored disinfectant, it is poisonous), water pipes, ice in the freezer, etc. Water is relatively inexpensive to store and certainly not difficult to do - but certainly the time to store is now.

It is also a good idea to have a water filter in addition to your water storage drums. This would allow you to purify dirty water from lakes, rivers, creeks, rain gutters, etc.


EMERGENCY WATER STORAGE
Various sources recommend home storage of a two week supply of water. The amount often recommended is seven gallons per person for drinking and food preparation, and another seven gallons per person for other limited uses such as hand washing, teeth brushing and dish washing (total fourteen gallons per person for two weeks). It should be noted that this amount is enough for sustenance purposes only, two quarts for drinking and two quarts for cleaning and bathing etc. per day. When you consider that a household normally uses in excess of 50 gallons of water per day for drinking, bathing, laundry, dishes, flushing the toilet etc., this isn't a lot of water. If you have the room to store more you will probably want to do so. Both glass and plastic containers are commonly used for water storage at home. Containers should be clean and sanitary. Glass containers are breakable and somewhat heavy compared to plastic, but they are not permeable to vapors and gases, the amount of leaching (dissolving) of chemicals from glass into water is insignificant. Plastic containers are lightweight and substantially more resistant to breakage than glass.

If plastic containers are used, care should be taken to assure that they are made of plastic approved for food contact by the Federal Food and Drug Administration. Polyethylene plastic is approved for food contact and is commonly used for containers of various sizes, including large 55 gallon drums. Certain types of plastic containers are not intended for food contact (such as vinyl plastic waterbeds, or trash containers) and may leach undesirable chemicals into stored water. Leaching of chemicals from approved plastics is negligible. 


WATER STORAGE DISINFECTION
For long-term water storage, tap water should be sterilized or disinfected in thoroughly cleaned plastic or glass containers. Water can be chemically disinfected for long-term storage by treating each gallon with 16 drops of liquid chlorine bleach (Clorox or Purex type bleaches, containing 4% to 6% sodium hypochlorite; do not use scented bleach). One teaspoon of bleach disinfects five gallons of water. Three tablespoons will disinfect 55 gallons of water. This level of treatment will kill bacteria and viruses and prevent the growth of microorganisms during storage. Also check with your local water plant for any additional information they may have for you.

Water stored in plastic containers should not be stored near gasoline, kerosene, pesticides or similar substances. Vapors from these substances could permeate the plastic and affect the water. Thick-walled polyethylene containers are significantly less permeable to vapors than are thin walled containers. Be certain, when selecting a water storage container, that it has a tight fitting cap or lid to prevent entrance of contaminants and evaporation of water. Because sunlight has an adverse effect on plastic, water should be stored away from direct exposure to sunlight. Store in a cool, dry area with no sunlight, like the basement.
Studies show sterilized or disinfected water, stored in clean, food-approved containers with secure lids or caps should be safe for use even after many years of storage. Replacement of stored water with fresh water should be necessary only if the stored water becomes contaminated in some way or if the container should begin to leak. Be certain to label each container so there will be no question about its contents. Include the date and information on the method of disinfection used. We recommend changing properly stored water every three to five years.


Article from 21st Century Food Storage