How to Clean, Prepare and Fill a Water Container

Step 1: Before filling a water container makes sure you clean it thoroughly before any other steps. You can safely clean a Food-Grade water container with dish soap and water. Another way to clean it is by adding 1 tsp. of liquid house bleach to 1-quart of water. Make sure all soap residues is out before filling the container with water.

Step 2: Fill container with regular tap water, for your lager containers like a 15-30 Gallons you might want to use your garden hose. WARNING: Your standard garden hose could contain a lead lining and is not recommended for water storage. If you are unable to know if your hose doesn’t contain lead, please check with your local home improvement store to locate a Lead-Free or Food-Grade Garden Hose.

Step 3: When using your standard tap water, it will render a 6-Month Shelf Life. To maximize the water supply it should be treated with water preserver (Add 8 drops of for every gallon of water). That will render the water a 5-Year Storage Life.

Step 4: Be sure to place the date on the water container so you know when you filled it, and when you’ll need to fill it, again. If you used chlorine treated water, rotate every 6 months. If you used water preserver or tablets rotate as often as the package indicates. Please feel free to use the Water Storage document bellow for your water storage needs.

Step 5: Store in a cool, dark place. It’s ideal to store water in a location where nothing in the home will be damaged if the container leaks. It’s also helpful to remember that you can improve the taste of the water by pouring it back and forth between containers before use.

 

Storage Tip: Have a drain close by or access to the outside where you can dump your water and easily replenish it with new fresh water.

Continue reading » · Written on: 05-12-09 · 9 Comments »

9 Responses to “How to Clean, Prepare and Fill a Water Container”

  1. jim campbell wrote:

    I had th pleasure of placing an order with courtney today. She is very professional, friendly and obviously loves her job. She is a keeper! Don’t forget to pay her, Jim Campbell

     May 28th, 2009 at 8:04 am
  2. TheReadyExpert wrote:

    She is doing a great job. Thank you for your business!

     May 28th, 2009 at 11:21 am
  3. Steve wrote:

    I purhcased some of the 5 gallon containers and water preserver. I understand how to clean them, but have a question on filling them.

    Is it ok to fill from your kitchen sink? We have hard water, does that matter for long term storage using the preserver?
    Also does having a water softener make any difference for storing long term with the preserver?

    Or is it best to go to the grocery store and use the water dispensers there that you can fill up for about a quarter a gallon?

    Thanks

     August 10th, 2009 at 10:48 am
  4. Jacee wrote:

    Do you know of any water purifier systems that will remove fluoride from the water coming into the house? I have read that fluoride is not good for those with hypothyroid conditions.

     February 12th, 2010 at 11:09 am
  5. admin wrote:

    Steve,
    With Filling your Water Container you can use the water that comes out of your tap and it should not cause any problems. I do know that when people have to fill the larger 15, 30, 50 gallon container they use their garden hose & you might not know this but some garden hoses do contain lead & that could poison your water supply.

     September 10th, 2010 at 10:05 am
  6. admin wrote:

    Jacee,

    That is a good question & took a wile for me to figure out an answer. With water purifier systems they will only eliminate Bacteria & Viruses from your water supply and making it safe to drink from a viral prospective. With having fluoride in your water supply it should not cause any problem with a long term storage, also with adding the Water Preserver to your water the fluoride should not affect the shelf life.

     September 10th, 2010 at 10:12 am
  7. Bert Olson wrote:

    You can eliminate any possible water contamination from your water filling hose by using only a white hose made for RV use. Find them at any RV store or on-line from Camping World or many others.

     January 5th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
  8. Genny wrote:

    If the heat goes out for a long time, what type of water barrel/large storage is best if it freezes? I live in the cold northern part of the country. Do I need to fill less, to account for freezing?

     January 14th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
  9. Darren wrote:

    I received my order yesterday and had a question on cleaning the water containers. Live chat with Jaime was easy and helpful

     September 9th, 2011 at 2:09 pm

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