How Long to Store Water in a 55 Gallon Drum?
When storing water, you may wonder if a 55 gallon drum is suitable and how long you can store water in a 55 gallon drum. This article provides a short answer to that question. First, clean it well. Generally, the water that you store in the drum should keep for at least five years. After that, you can start to fill it up with drinking water. Be sure to check the recycling code of the drum. It is best to choose food grade containers for storing water.
Can you store water in a 55 gallon drum for a long time?
There are many people who are worried about the safety of their stored water. It doesn’t expire, but the water can grow algae or get contaminated from outside sources. In any case, the water can still be drinkable. While you can’t guarantee the water will not go bad, you can always add bleach or chlorine to your stored water. It is better to have water on hand than to be without it.
While bottled water is better for emergency situations, 55 gallon drums can last up to five years if you follow proper storage methods. While it may be heavier than bottles, a 55-gallon water drum weighs around four hundred and fifty pounds. You should place your storage unit where it is easy to access when you need it. Generally, you should store water in a cool, dry place that you can easily access.
When storing your 55-gallon water barrel, make sure it’s off the ground. Make sure the water is stored on wood or plastic, or use a siphon to transfer the water. You can find these items at a yard sale group online or at a hardware store. It is best to use a wooden pallet instead of concrete to store your water. And remember, if you don’t have a siphon, you can always add bricks to your storage container.
One of the first things you need to do when you plan to store your water is to clean it thoroughly. If you’re using it as a boat, make sure you clean it thoroughly before storing it. Use a dilute solution of bleach in clean water until you’re sure it’s odor free. Then, fill the 55 gallon drum with marine water, not regular water.
Another good idea is to purchase a 55-gallon water drum dolly and place it off the ground. This way, you won’t have to worry about the water on the ground. It’s also portable, so you don’t have to worry about storing it in an awkward place. You can use your dolly to move it to another room if necessary. Then, you can easily transport the 55-gallon water drum.
Alternatively, you can use the chlorine bleach method, which will kill harmful bacteria and viruses in your water. It will make your water safe for at least six months. A 55-gallon drum filled with chlorine bleach will last for at least six months. You can also use a chlorine dilution calculator to calculate the exact amount of chlorine bleach you need to add to the water.
The 55-gallon plastic water barrel measures 36″ high and 24″ wide. It weighs 460 pounds when full. It’s important to choose a barrel made of food-grade plastic to avoid contamination. A cheaper plastic material will leech harmful chemicals into the water, making it unsafe for drinking. So, it’s important to choose a barrel that is suitable for your needs.
While water can be stored for as long as you wish, it can also go bad. In this case, you may want to aerate it with stirring or pouring it from one jug to another. You can also add fresh bleach or purification tablets to the water. After that, you can store it in a cool, dark place. Using this method will help your water last for as long as possible.
Cleaning a 55 gallon drum before storing drinking water
Whether you need to store drinking water for a few days or weeks, a 55 gallon drum can do the trick. This type of barrel is 24 inches wide, 36 inches tall, and weighs over 450 pounds when filled. Before you begin storing water in this container, you should thoroughly rinse it with clean water and a dilute bleach solution. You also want to rinse the drum to remove any smells, and fill it with a marine water hose. Be careful about the hose that you use because a regular water hose may leech chemicals into the water, which can lead to a tainted supply of water.
Whether or not the water you plan to store in a 55 gallon drum is safe depends on the preparation and purity of the water you choose. You should use this type of container only for storing water that is safe for consumption. The water that is stored in a 55 gallon drum should be sterile. Before storing drinking water, you should disinfect it using chlorine bleach. If the water comes from a city water system, it should be safe for a couple of years. But if you are using well water, you should clean the drum with chlorine bleach every time before you use it.
When storing water, 55-gallon barrels should be stored off the ground. Concrete is not a good storage surface for this type of barrel. If you cannot find a place with a concrete surface for the barrel, consider getting wooden pallets from yard sale groups or local hardware stores. You can also try to purchase wooden pallets from online yard sales. This will provide a stable platform for storing your water.
If you choose to use a 55-gallon plastic barrel, you can clean it using chlorine bleach. Mix two tbsp. of chlorine bleach with one gallon of water. Rinse the barrel thoroughly afterward. After cleaning, you can store it for drinking water. This method is safe to use even if you do not have a lot of experience in storing drinking water.
You must remember to rotate the water after every six months, and you should rotate it at least once a year. If you store water for months, it may become stale. In some cases, aggressive water pouring may help overcome this problem. So, it is important to remember to clean a 55 gallon drum before storing drinking water. The drum can be used for several purposes. Most people choose to store it in the backyard, garage, or under a deck.
Before storing drinking water in a 55-gallon drum, you should ensure that it has not been used for toxic materials. Besides, you should ensure that it is free of any kind of chemicals. Remember to use food-grade products in it. A 55-gallon drum weighs about 460 pounds when full. This type of barrel is suitable for long-term storage of drinking water.
Another important step when storing drinking water in a barrel is to seal it. This way, the water inside won’t get contaminated by dirt or bacteria. Moreover, the barrel’s lid should be tightly closed and a small tool to seal the opening should be used to tighten the bung. When you are ready to store drinking water, it is a good idea to rotate the water in the barrels.
If you are worried about the weight of your 55-gallon water barrel, it is important to know how heavy it is. A 55-gallon water barrel weighs 458.7 pounds when empty. Nevertheless, it can hold up to 500 pounds of water when filled. Therefore, it is important to use a water tank made of food-grade materials. Clean the 55-gallon plastic water barrel before storing drinking water.