I'm an amateur at prepping, but the kit I keep in my car includes a few 3/4 full disposable water bottles (air gap allows for pressure changes from the cold). For a bugout kit or just to have around the house, I also have some water purification tabs. I plan to replace the watter bottles every season.

You will likely hear varied opinions about which kind of plastics are safe to store water in. This is what I found from amateur research online:

On the bottom of most plastic containers is a recycle symbol with a number. That number designates what type of plastic it is. Some are safer for drinking than others:

#1: the most common type for water bottles and jugs; more suitable for one or two-time use. They will eventually break down if you start to reuse them a lot, but from what I have read they don't contain anything that would be toxic to you.

#2, #4, #5 are safe to store water in.

AVOID #3, #6 and #7 because they can leech harmful chemicals into the water if they are heated or exposed to sunlight for extended periods.

 

Do you have any idea what 2 Liter Pop bottles are? I dont drink them, so I have no idea.

Thanks

 

edit: oops, double post

 

I just checked a 2-lr I have in the freezer... it's rated #1.

 

Ok, so we can store water in certain types of bottles, but in a BOB, thats a lot of weight which takes us back to the original post. Would it be a good idea to have a combination of stored water and something else like one of the items mentioned in the original post.. does anybody have an opinion about the effectiveness of those items?

 

First, make sure you have enough water stored at home. You can store water in your vehicle, but account for temperatures and rotate every six months or so. For a bug-out bag, water will be the most weight you have to carry. A gallon is 8.3 pounds; that’s a lot of weight, but it’s essential. It really depends on your location. If you don’t have too many water sources, you’ll be forced to carry more. If you have water sources, you can carry less, but have the means to filter/purify it.

I use to carry a 2 quart Nalgene container of water in my truck along with a 2.5 gallon water can. I left my Camelback bladder and a couple of water bottles empty and planned to fill as needed if I had to leave my vehicle. I would plan for at least a gallon of water initially (more if you’re in a place with fewer water sources or extremely hot temperatures).

Water is an essential element and requires redundancy to ensure you’re covered. I did a lot of tactical communications planning, and we used the acronym P.A.C.E.

Primary
Alternate
Contingency
Emergency

That’s how I plan my ability to filter/purify water. A quality water filter is mandatory for me. Using activated carbon is a good option to deal with possible chemical contaminates. There are plenty of other options, but other than a straw-filter that you can drink through directly, you need a container. Along with a container, having the ability to boil water is another time-proven method to make suspect water sources potable (minus chemical contamination). Don’t forget improvised methods such as the water-filter sack/container where you can pre-filter with grass, sand and charcoal from a fire. So for me:

Primary: Katadyn water filter
Alternate: MSR MIOX (needs to be pre-filter before purifying)
Contingency: Potable Aqua, Polar Pure (preferred) and/or Micropur purification tablets
Emergency: Filter Straw (Aquamira has a good one)

I would add a last category, which would be a good metal cup/pot that I could boil water in; along with knowing how to improvise using vegetation and clear plastic bags for respiration collection (I have used and don’t care for solar stills) and making an improvised gravity filter/still. Knowing where to find water is also a critical skill that must receive plenty of attention and training.

As long as the storage containers (Camelback/Platypus bladders/containers, Dromedary bags, Nalgene water bottles, stainless bottles like Guyot or Klean Kanteen, Military canteens, etc.), make sure that you rotate the water periodically…every 3-6 months will keep you with potable water when you need it.

ROCK6

 

Water is an essential element and requires redundancy to ensure you’re covered. I did a lot of tactical communications planning, and we used the acronym P.A.C.E.

Primary
Alternate
Contingency
Emergency


ROCK6

I like this acronym. Thanks!

 

I agree with you on the contingency and back up idea on water. I currently have 36 SOS 4 oz packetts in my kit, as well as an Aquamira Frontier Pro for filtering water thats from a river or water that requires a boil order from a municipality. But if my source water is really bad (like a dead animal in it - and there is nothing else to drink and I'm also dying) then Ive got the chlorine dioxide tabs by Aquamira - they even kill crypto, then I can filter it with the frontier pro. I have used the HTI X-Pack, and I am amazed that it filters EVERYTHING bigger than a water molecule - which is every pathogen known - right down to the size of 3-5 angstroms! Both the tabs and the X-Pack water filter are rated by for EPA guidelines for Microbiological Water Purifiers. While the Frontier and Frontier pro drinking straws are good, like nearly all filters including Katayn, they dont meet those criteria. So, when in doubt, I use the combo method of treatment and filtering. But, with the HTI solution in the X-pack, there is never a need to treat before filtering. Another interesting aspect of the X-Pack and other reverse osmosis filters is that they also ad calories via the process of filtering. There is a great video on YouTube about that system and also the new AquaMira frontier Pro.

 

I have used the HTI X-Pack, and I am amazed that it filters EVERYTHING bigger than a water molecule - which is every pathogen known - right down to the size of 3-5 angstroms! Both the tabs and the X-Pack water filter are rated by for EPA guidelines for Microbiological Water Purifiers. Another interesting aspect of the X-Pack and other reverse osmosis filters is that they also ad calories via the process of filtering.

Thanks for the info on the X-Pack, interesting filtration method. How does the water taste with the syrup/gel stuff? That would be an ideal filtration system around any urban crisis where most water would be suspect of contamination/viruses. I wonder if there is another additive that would help drive the osmosis process if you ran out of the syrup mixes....????

ROCK6

 

X-Pack Taste

Its like a non carbinated sports drink - kinda citrus flavor. With those, it takes some time 2-4 hours for the good water to produce. So, having water on hand (like SOS water pouches or others) is a good thing. The thing about the X-Pack that I like is the fact that you can recharge it up to 30 times. But, then you toss it. Still..... having it give you calories is a plus.

 

Mix your own syrup

One more comment .... I bet you could make up your own syrup if the right concentration was met. You'd just need to have some clean water and sugar.

 

As far as a BOB we use 1 liter bottles initially but, allow ourselves a means to purify and carry water. We carry a filter system and a five gallon water bag.

 

I have a 2 liter TNF hydration bladder in my BOB and a couple of different small filters and purification. Its always better to filter water and then purify it, as filtering doesnt remove virus's. Some filters like the katadyn exstream filter bottle and the pre-mac pocket filter have iodine resin beads in them that the water flows over to purify it as well as filtering. There are loads of differnent purifcation methods out there, i use chlorine/iodine tabs and iodine drops as there easy to use without to much messing around measureing the right amounts. Iodine shouldnt really be used long term but has the advantage of being able to clean wounds and some brands contain potassium iodide which floods your thyroid gland with iodine so it doesnt absorb much radioactive iodine 131 if your drinking water that might be contaminated with nuclear fallout. Chorine tablets are safe to use long term but both will leave a horrible taste in the water. You can get neutralising tablets that remove the taste if your really that bothered by it but i dont bother with them.
The katadyn hiker filter somes with a couple of different adapters that make it easier for filling hydration bladders and water bottles.

My latest blog is all about filters and purification so take a look for more info....

http://uksurvivalist.webs.com/apps/blog/

 

Well, apparently this is what the HTI filter gets rid of.....

Bacteria
Virus
Parasite
Heavy Metals*
Petroleum*
Pesticides,Fertilizers*
Salt in brackish water***

* Typically removes in excess of 95%
***90% salt removal from brackish water, 97% salt removal from sea water for the SeaPack.

This info I found off of their PDF Download on their website.

 

this does look quite impressive, ill have to take a look at the website when iv got more time. does anyone know how much any of these are? where to get them?

 

I think you can buy them right from the HTI website. You might call them if they have any dealers in your state. I think they are trying to put these out on the consumer market, and may not have a huge dealer network yet. I understand they've done quite well with military orders though...

Update: I found the filter pore size from the PDF document ...

"The pores in HTI’s membrane, through which the water passes, are 0.0003 microns in diameter. This is roughly the diameter of most single atoms, providing more than 200 times better protection than provided by common microfiltration handpumps."

Dude! 0.0003 microns! LOL! Aren't most pump filters like 2-3 microns?

 

I might have to drop them an email and see if theyll ship to the UK, thanks

 

Hey no problem. I'd buy one now, but I'm currently laid off. Let us know what happens. I have no idea if they have dealers in the UK. The website says they make those in Albany Oregon. I dont think they have any overseas dealers. But they might make you a deal on shipping - perhaps slow boat.

 

I know this thread has been in active for a few months, but does anybody have any experience with with the seapack?

http://www.sea-pack.com/seapack.html

If so what do you think of it? How big is it? Would it be practical to carry in say a carry on bag on an airplane?

 

I have some experience with most of HTI's products including the Sea Pack. In fact I think I have one around somewhere. Anyways, the Sea Pack removes a lot of Salt while using thier proprietary osmosis filter. They say it will keep you alive, but still does let some salt through.

I primarily dealt with the HTI Lifepack and the HTI X-Pack. Ive used the X-Pack quite a bit and actually am still a dealer but I dont carry them anymore. Its a way to go, but to be honest they are expensive for a single use throw away filter. The technology is there, and they do filter probably better than anything on the market - One big plus is that they dont even have a pump. With the LifePack and the X-Pack the sugary water solution is put on one side of the filter, and the dirty water is atracted to the sugar water via osmosis and passes through the filter membrane allowing only extremly very tiny water molecules through. But some molecules are actually smaller than water like most chemicals, so those would go through. Still, impressive tech, still on the spendy side in my opinion. I also used the hydrowell - That was the only filter system I was absolutely not impressed with at all. Mine simply would stop working. Thererfore I never carried it. Hope that helps.

 

i would think that they r thinking that most ppl are smart enough to know that u need water to live. but hmmmmmmmmm

 

You never know for sure, but some people are just smart a$$es. But smart a$$es aside, others actually want to know the details. Hmmmmmmm.

Open minds really are a good thing ....

What does this mean to the average joe? One with an open mind and not being a smart a$$? It means you cant live on a sea pack for more than 3-5 days. Salt build up will eventually kill you. So, you'd need to use the sea pack as a last resort.

 

My take on water is to plan ahead but use available resources that are already out there. To give you an example: Most people have a location to bug out to or flee to in times of crisis. The place where I may head to is about 60 miles away from where I live and out in the middle of nowhere. My sister owns some rural property which is where I'm headed. To get to her place I have to cross or go past a variety of ponds, streams and creeks. I also have to go past or through a couple of small towns. I know that in those small towns at or near most water towns there are facilities where, for a small fee, you can buy like 500 gallons of water from out of the town's tower.

I also understand that by knowing where all the near by water is situated, in other words logging it down on a map or by means of a written description in a file, that I can make my way to those fresh water sources and re-fill my supply. By knowing how to filter and boil water I take advantage of what is already there. By having water purification tablets in my kit, I can filter water into my canteen, pop a pill into it, let it work and move while the tablet does its job. So having more than one way to get clean water is a good trick. Knowing all the available water resources along any expected travel route is a plus too.

 

You might ask the locals ahead of time also if there are any drinking quality springs around too. There is one here where people get their normal drinking water all the time.

 

I like the thought of haveing a filter that can deal with brackish water. But one that is only good for one use and expensive at that is limited in its appeal. To offen to my mind when water/filters are discussed here. Not enough attention is paid to water chemically polluted. Tablets and similar processes deal with bio.issues. not polluted water. If you live in or near a large city you have to assume that the rivers lakes ect. around you have chemical runoff among other problems. Those planning to bug out from such places could face a somewhat painful death if they think adding a couple of tablets or even boiling the water will make it safe. Proper water treatment depends on the water being treated. Those living in the NE aand Midwest better take some time and take a good hard look at how and where they may be getting their water from.

 

thanks to everyone for the advice. It seems the methods of dealing with biologically polluted water are tried and true. I see everyone's point about knowing and finding good natural water sources to begin with, but assuming the worse case scenario, what sort of portable techniques would you all recommend/use for treating chemically polluted water?

 

Depends on the evac and how you're carrying it. Of course filters and tablets are important to insure a continued safe supply of water. If it has to be carried on your back, a hydration bladder and canteens are my prefered method. You have instant water with the bladder, and can control the weight and balance of the rest of the water.

If it's going to be pulled in a cart or transported in a vehicle, I like the 5 gallon plastic water jugs for being just the right size to be easy to handle, while having decent capacity. I have some of the 7 gallon units, but they get a bit heavy if you have to carry them very far.

 

I have several methods in place for my BOB:

Bottle Filter
-------------
I received 2 free water bottles with filters from Berkey when I purchased my Big Berkey


AquaBlox
-----------
Prepackaged water for when none can be found.


Field Sterilization and Filter
---------------------------
a. Coffee filters for particulates
b. Matches (or flint) + fire for sterilization OR army water purification tablets


Distillation
----------
6' x 6' plastic sheet for distillation over a boiling pot. A cup at the center catches dripping distill water.

 

I am certainly no expert but I have done some research and since starting to prep have thought about the same thing. I have tried to solve (or start to solve) this problem like so many others - with a variety of options, each of which is not dependent on others. Like having three ways to start fire in your BOB or camping kit, I would like to have a number of options for water -- truly something for everyone to think about having - or not having...

For me - I have taken a multi-prong approach and have stocked...

1) Several cases of the little bags of water (survival pouches). They are individual (no waste) and easy to carry in a number of configurations - BOB, vehicle, cases @ home. These are very handy and reasonable in price.

2) Several three packs of Aquablox. Since one of the packaging options is a sealed three pack I have several packed with MRE's that I estimate to go with an MRE (estimating one per MRE for meal). They are a bit heavier than the pouches and therefore for vehicle and home use/storage.

3) BOB bathtub bladders - I fell in LOVE with this notion when I read about it. It just made so much sense. I immediately ordered five (buy four - get on FREE). If there is time - throw one in the tub and voila - 100 or so gallons of usable water!

4) Water purification tablets. I have some bottles of these in my BOB in my vehicle and my BuBOB (back up BOB) that is a combo BOB/combat bag.

5) I have on my list a good Katadyn water purifier. These are a little pricy but from friends and research, something I definitely want.

6) I do NOT have a lot of plastic jugs/soda bottles/storage for water that I will fill at some later time. I am of the belief that WATER needs to be stored - not just the storage material to collect the water. If I need WATER, I want the water that is clean and available - not a bunch of empty milk and soda containers that I intended to put water in.

I live in the Pacific Northwest and the mere getting of water may not be the problem it is elsewhere. I have quite a bit stored for now/long term use but also some plans in place to be able to purify water if needed. I am of the belief that several ways to do something will be a good idea when you need to and find out that one or two of the ways you wanted to things either doesn't work, failed or was not a good idea to start with. Maybe that is why I have firestarter, lifeboat matches, strike anywhere matches, windproof lighter, firestix, drier lint AND a camp stove with extra propane in my BOB!!

 

I am certainly no expert but I have done some research and since starting to prep have thought about the same thing. I have tried to solve (or start to solve) this problem like so many others - with a variety of options, each of which is not dependent on others. Like having three ways to start fire in your BOB or camping kit, I would like to have a number of options for water -- truly something for everyone to think about having - or not having...

For me - I have taken a multi-prong approach and have stocked...

1) Several cases of the little bags of water (survival pouches). They are individual (no waste) and easy to carry in a number of configurations - BOB, vehicle, cases @ home. These are very handy and reasonable in price.

2) Several three packs of Aquablox. Since one of the packaging options is a sealed three pack I have several packed with MRE's that I estimate to go with an MRE. They are a bit heavier than the pouches and therefore for vehicle and home use/storage.

3) BOB bathtub bladders - I fell in LOVE with this notion when I read about it. It just made so much sense. I immediately ordered five (buy four - get on FREE). If there is time - throw one in the tub and voila - 100 or so gallons of usable water!

4) Water purification tablets. I have some bottles of these in my BOB in my vehicle and my BuBOB (back up BOB) that is a combo BOB/combat bag.

5) I have on my list a good Katadyn water purifier. These are a little pricy but from friends and research, something I definitely want.

I live in the Pacific Northwest and the mere getting of water may not be the problem it is elsewhere. I have quite a bit stored for now/long term use but also some plans in place to be able to purify water if needed. I am of the belief that several ways to do something will be a good idea when you need to and find out that one or two of the ways you wanted to things either doesn't work, failed or was not a good idea to start with. Maybe that is why I have firestarter, lifeboat matches, strike anywhere matches, windproof lighter, firestix, drier lint AND a camp stove with extra propane in my BOB!!

 

carry 4l of water in a BOB?
sometimes i wonder about this.

i think it would be a lot lighter to carry 2L(for now), and a good water filter(for later) instead.
why make your BOB any heavier than it has to be?

 

I have some 4.00/24x16.9oz bottle packs of water. Each case is 12 liters. Some wind up in my vehicle. I priced the Aquablox (27 boxes with 8.45oz H20) shelf life vs. the cost of rotating the same volume of bottled water given the same time period. Ghilliegear has a case of Aquablox for 19.99 with free shipping. It takes nearly two Aquablox cases to equal a case of bottled water. I figure that I'll use some of the bottles on a camping trip or when I get thirsty on the road. Thus 20.00 for five years' worth of bottled water beats the total from GhillieGear by 20.00. I do like Aquablox's packaging much better for BOB's than the thin-walled bottles I get at a grocery store- and with bottled H20 I have to recycle 120 bottles after five years. But is it worth an extra 20.00?