Being able to access and stock a supply of clean water is one of the most important preps you can have. I was so excited to finally install one 45 gallon rain barrel. Filled up fast after first rain and used it quickly in the garden. I’m now waiting for rain again. I had thought 45 gallons would be fine but it’s not and it’s definitely not drinking water. If people think during shtf they’ll just get water stocked when it rains, they’re in for a rude awakening. I would love to have a well but I can only dream about it right now. I can just see a shtf scenario now……bowls and glasses outside non-preppers homes waiting for rain to fill them.

 

Our house is on solar power, and that powers our well pump.

We are discussing installing a Bison hand pump as a backup.

 

If we need water and no electricity. I will do like I did last time and unwire the wiring going down to the pump and plug it in to our generator

 

My well is less than 100 ft. I've built well buckets that fit down the casing
I'll pull the pipe and pump and use the bucket.

 

My BOL has a gravity fed spring.

With no power, there is no water on the 2nd floor—but there still is on the first.

 

Most people live close enough to a source of surface water to prevent starvation. So I do not think we will have mass die offs from lack of water. Also If there is a functioning government, providing water would be given priority.

 

Most people - think high rise Apts and govt housing in all major cities and housing developments - do no live near unpoluted surface waterr 3 days and they will be dead .If this happening there will
be no government .

 

I get enough seepage through the basement walls that I think a well would work here.
However I would be leery of the water quality.

We also have a river in walking distance
but that water is nasty.

 

Lot's of water close by, 300 yards in two directions and at about 20 feet down. We have a cart, filters for bucket and the buckets prepared. We use this system at the property. Shallow well there. The ceramic and activated charcoal filter cleans up the color and taste.

 

Mid-Missouri. We are on a rural public water line and we don't have a well. We do have a nice Pond and two 250 gallon water containers collecting roof water. The water level in the well down the road is 175 feet deep; to deep for a hand pump.

 

During summer bottled water is often on sale, here crystal geyser gallon jugs are $1.15. Gallons don't sound like much and comparatively bottled water is expensive. But these jugs are fairly sturdy, hold A decent amount, and are not too heavy. The milk type jugs always leak and have a short shelf life though I have distilled water in them for cpap humidifier. Your main supply should be bigger containers of tap water but gallon jugs are handy for a ready supply. Easier to ration, too.

 

I live in the high desert. Except that it gets really, really cold sometimes, it’s a desert alright. Water is top dog for my prepping.

 

I have 120 of these. . .

Amazon.com : PerKoop 24 Pcs Collapsible Water Storage Containers 2.6 Gallon Water Jug Bags with Spigot Portable Water Bag Emergency Water Pouches for Outdoor Camping Hiking Fishing : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : PerKoop 24 Pcs Collapsible Water Storage Containers 2.6 Gallon Water Jug Bags with Spigot Portable Water Bag Emergency Water Pouches for Outdoor Camping Hiking Fishing : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

At $1.37 each those look very practical for emergency supplies. Thanks for the tip.
All you need is a manual credit card imprinter machine and a water source and you will have a post SHTF micro enterprise.

 

the grid may be off, but my generator will run for a long time to run my well in spurts to pump water as needed.

Also, i've posted this before: every state park/campground in my state has hand pumps for water. So do many private camp grounds. Know where these are located in your area and you will have a source of water if needed. Many places have natural springs, sometimes in the middle of a city or alley that locals know about and use for water. find and locate them in your area.

 

this is my backup plan for water. Ignore the pond weed...that has been cleared since this picture was taken earlier in the year.
the picture shows about 1/2 the actual pond.
deepest is about 12-15 feet.

Our water plans:
1) we are on well - I can run it with genny but that's very inefficient in long term grid down
2) Short term - I keep (6) of the blue water jugs (6gallons each?) filled, prefiltered and stabilized
3) We have a Berkey and other filter options
4) inground pool right out the back door
5) Pond
6) deep creek - about 20feet wide and 2 to 4feet deep

My biggest concern in grid down will be neighbors wanting to come get water..of course, they are welcome, just will have to keep up with the traffic.
the good news is, 3 of my 11 neighbors also have ponds.

 

this is my backup plan for water. Ignore the pond weed...that has been cleared since this picture was taken earlier in the year.
the picture shows about 1/2 the actual pond.
deepest is about 12-15 feet.

Our water plans:
1) we are on well - I can run it with genny but that's very inefficient in long term grid down
2) Short term - I keep (6) of the blue water jugs (6gallons each?) filled, prefiltered and stabilized
3) We have a Berkey and other filter options
4) inground pool right out the back door
5) Pond
6) deep creek - about 20feet wide and 2 to 4feet deep

My biggest concern in grid down will be neighbors wanting to come get water..of course, they are welcome, just will have to keep up with the traffic.
the good news is, 3 of my 11 neighbors also have ponds.

Good strategy. As for running on a generator, i've determined that I can run mine for 6 minutes per day to pump enough water from the well to last until the next day. Fill the water heater and pressure tank, flush the toilets once, and still bathe and cook. Minimal fuel usage, I have enough propane and gasoline to last a good 5 years if needed. Then I have a lake to draw from if needed.

 

City slicker here…. I have a spring water source that’s around 12-15 miles away and many ponds/lakes within 3-5 miles

 

IMO one should not be too dependent on surface water as it can easily be contaminated.
I much prefer independent containers.
Even a well can get contaminated so having a significant tank is valuable.
After the Fukushima event, steam form the plant was sending radioactive particles across the pacific and all across the US It even came down as snow. There are means of filtration and that may still become necessary depending on the severity/duration of the event.

 

I have a natural spring running through my property , filtering and boiling will be in use also.

 

I dug a good old village well. Turning off the electricity would mean using a bucket on a string.

 

What depth will a picture pump draw water ?

 

Usually, a pitcher pump is only good for lifting water less than 25 feet.