So I wanted to expand my drinking water storage capacity, preferably by at least a 55 gallon barrel. Trouble is, they're a little hard to get here. It's a mainly agricultural area, so no used food grade plastic drums for sale. There are metal drums around, but as they were originally used for pesticide or herbicide they're out, too (besides, they're in high demand and sell at a premium once they're empty and for sale, since folks here are handy with tools and welders and the drums can be made into many useful things). The local feed store doesn't have barrels, but they do have 100+ gallon steel animal water troughs which I'm sure have a survival usage beyond 'barracade', I just can't think of one yet. The gardening store had rain barrels, but only 30 gallons and no one seemed to know if they were food grade or not. With no local options, it looked like I might have to drive up to the big city to get barrels. I hate going there because it's at least a half day trip, back and forth, and the inhabitants don't know how to drive. Honestly, many of them HAD to have gotten their licenses out of Crackerjack boxes, no way they could have passed a driving competancy test. Since, understandably, trying to get around up there is an adventure in terror, I decided to see if I could get what I wanted on-line instead. I found several mail order stores that had water barrels for sale; but since the barrels are big and bulky, they charged extra for shipping and handling, often as much as the barrels themselves. It was discouraging, and it was looking like I'd have to risk life, limb, and road rage in the big city, when I checked out Emergency Essentials... and found them offering a plastic 55 gallon water barrel for sale for $70, no abnormal shipping charges. I double-checked to make sure there wasn't any fine-print, considered that while $70 is a bit steep I'd be getting an unused, food grade plastic barrel without having to spend hours driving in the Valley of Death as the big city could well be called... and happily put in the order. In fact I splurged and ordered the Combo: Barrel, barrel bungwrench, and water siphon, all included in one package for $84..
Results: The barrel was delivered and left by my front door in a timely manner, in a LARGE cardboard box with the Emergency Essentials logo (including their web address, "www.beprepared.com") printed on each side, large enough to be read from a couple of yards away. I'm not sure my neighhbors or passers-by paid much attention - I mean, beyond thinking "Wow that's a large box" - as they're used to me having odd things delivered (I pity my postman, and UPS and FedEX drivers). But I REALLY would have preferred something a little more discreet. The box, for all its size, was ony about 30-35 pounds and easy to lift if awkward to handle, so I managed to get it inside without excessive struggle. The barrel itself turned out to be VERY blue (to cut down on light getting in and encouraging bacterial growth) and made of thick and extremely sturdy plastic, with a gradient scale on one side (showing from 0 to 55) and the EE logo on the other. There were two 3" bungholes on top, sealed with screw in plugs made of very hard white plastic. The plugs have large, wide, Phillips screw-like indentations in their tops, and I suppose you could use a conventional wrench or pry bar to manipulate them. But it's easier with EE's barrel bungwrench, which is specifically designed to fit in a plug and allow you to screw/unscrew it. I rinsed the barrel out and dumped it (two people would have been better for flipping the barrel end for end, but I managed). I then put it on a platform made of close packed 2x4's covered with a square of carpet, so as to keep the barrel off the cold concrete floor, slid a hose into one of the bung holes, and turned the water on. Note: 55 gallons seems like a lot, but you'd be suprised how fast the barrel fills up. Have someone keep an eye on the water level with a flashlight and be ready to shut the water off quick. With the barrel filled I tested the siphon, which is a six foot long, clear, large diameter plastic tube with a brass valve on one end. Stick the valve into the water, jiggle it up and down a few times, and water flows out quite well (maybe too well; you're not going to use the siphon to fill a glass, more like a pitcher or bucket). With everything looking good to go I poured in the appropriate amount of bleach, screwed in the plugs, covered the barrel with a blanket (to prevent any light feed at all), and was done.
Some observations: Beyond the all too visible logo they put on all their boxes, I've found EE to be a reliable and consistant supplier. The barrel is exactly as they described it, it hasn't leaked in the slightest (so far), and it seems to be good value for the money. In terms of water distribution, I would have prefered a pump, but the siphon works well enough. Fully filled, the barrel weighs about 470 pounds, so put it where you intend to keep it before filling; preferably inside your house and/or where it won't freeze. And these barrels are designed to only be stored upright, never on their sides. Also, you probably don't want to put too much weight on the top, either...
Here's the web address, if you're interested:
http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_WS B701_A_name_E_55+Gallon+Water+Barrel+Combo
Results: The barrel was delivered and left by my front door in a timely manner, in a LARGE cardboard box with the Emergency Essentials logo (including their web address, "www.beprepared.com") printed on each side, large enough to be read from a couple of yards away. I'm not sure my neighhbors or passers-by paid much attention - I mean, beyond thinking "Wow that's a large box" - as they're used to me having odd things delivered (I pity my postman, and UPS and FedEX drivers). But I REALLY would have preferred something a little more discreet. The box, for all its size, was ony about 30-35 pounds and easy to lift if awkward to handle, so I managed to get it inside without excessive struggle. The barrel itself turned out to be VERY blue (to cut down on light getting in and encouraging bacterial growth) and made of thick and extremely sturdy plastic, with a gradient scale on one side (showing from 0 to 55) and the EE logo on the other. There were two 3" bungholes on top, sealed with screw in plugs made of very hard white plastic. The plugs have large, wide, Phillips screw-like indentations in their tops, and I suppose you could use a conventional wrench or pry bar to manipulate them. But it's easier with EE's barrel bungwrench, which is specifically designed to fit in a plug and allow you to screw/unscrew it. I rinsed the barrel out and dumped it (two people would have been better for flipping the barrel end for end, but I managed). I then put it on a platform made of close packed 2x4's covered with a square of carpet, so as to keep the barrel off the cold concrete floor, slid a hose into one of the bung holes, and turned the water on. Note: 55 gallons seems like a lot, but you'd be suprised how fast the barrel fills up. Have someone keep an eye on the water level with a flashlight and be ready to shut the water off quick. With the barrel filled I tested the siphon, which is a six foot long, clear, large diameter plastic tube with a brass valve on one end. Stick the valve into the water, jiggle it up and down a few times, and water flows out quite well (maybe too well; you're not going to use the siphon to fill a glass, more like a pitcher or bucket). With everything looking good to go I poured in the appropriate amount of bleach, screwed in the plugs, covered the barrel with a blanket (to prevent any light feed at all), and was done.
Some observations: Beyond the all too visible logo they put on all their boxes, I've found EE to be a reliable and consistant supplier. The barrel is exactly as they described it, it hasn't leaked in the slightest (so far), and it seems to be good value for the money. In terms of water distribution, I would have prefered a pump, but the siphon works well enough. Fully filled, the barrel weighs about 470 pounds, so put it where you intend to keep it before filling; preferably inside your house and/or where it won't freeze. And these barrels are designed to only be stored upright, never on their sides. Also, you probably don't want to put too much weight on the top, either...
Here's the web address, if you're interested:
http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_WS B701_A_name_E_55+Gallon+Water+Barrel+Combo
