Off-grid water

• Use food-grade containers only: 5 to 7 gallon jugs, or 55-gallon drums for big storage.
• Clean, sanitize and fill from a safe tap with a drinking-water-safe hose.
• Keep drums off concrete on a pallet, out of sunlight, with a pump or siphon to get water out.
• Replace stored tap water every 6 months, or treat it according to the container instructions.

• Check your local rules first. Some places limit rainwater collection.
• A rain barrel on a downspout collects a lot. One inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof is about 600 gallons.
• Use a screen to keep out leaves and mosquitoes.
• Rain water is great for gardens, flushing and washing as is.

• Gravity filters treat larger batches for a whole family without power.
• Squeeze and straw filters are great for go-bags and camping.
• Most filters remove bacteria and parasites. For viruses, also boil or disinfect.
• Pre-filter muddy water through a cloth first so your filter lasts longer.

Springs, streams, lakes and ponds can all become drinking water, but always filter and disinfect. Avoid water near farms, roads, mines or industry, and never use flood water.