The Importance of Storing Water

Hi everyone,

I was going to do a little piece on a great raised bed garden I saw in town the other day, but something happened Thursday that brought to the forefront the importance of prepping in general and storing water in particular. So that's the tact we're going on today.

In any emergency, there are 3 things we need to stay alive: food, water and shelter.  And of these, probably the most important, except in extreme weather conditions, is water. You can live for weeks if necessary without food and, given reasonable temperatures, longer without shelter, at least long enough to build something. But we can only live 3 days without water. More importantly after as little as 4 hours in extreme heat, dehydration sets in and our ability to think diminishes.

Here in Southern California, henceforth to be refered to as The People's Republic of California (PRC), after an extremely cool July, summer hit with a vengence. When I arrived at my ranch to feed and water the birds Thursday, the compression fitting on the well blew. After a hasty trip to Home Depot, I put the new fitting on, which promptly blew again.  Those dang pipes never did line up properly. Three more times putting it back together and it seemed to hold. I got half way through watering one building when, dang, no water.  I raced back to the well to see water shooting all over. The fitting had let go again.  

I muscled it back together, a little too much muscle it turned out, because when I turned it back on, a glued joint past the turn on valve broke loose and it was all over.  No using the well that day. Even if I had had the fitting and glue to do the repair then, I still would not have been able to water because the fitting would take time to dry or it would blow again.

Fortunately,I had learned a valuable lesson. Two years ago, the pump went out on the well. For two weeks I had to water from 40 or so one gallon bottles brought from home each trip until I managed to replace the pump. After that, I have kept those 40 or so bottles filled and stashed around the ranch, just in case.

In the 100+  heat, and many birds with minimal water left in their dishes, this could have been a major problem since I would not be able to get back there the next day. But I was was able to feed and water all the birds before I ran out of light using my emergency water supply.  

In case of a earthquake, hurricane, tornado or even a ruptured water main, water systems can be disabled It is important to have the recommended 4 gallons of water per person per day available in your home.  It is also a good idea to carry a couple of gallons in your car at all times, either for drinking if you get stranded or for adding to your radiator for overheating problems. ( A roll of duct tape to wrap a small leak in a radiator hose is also a good idea.)

Well, I hope my predicament has been of some value to you. Know what you do matters, keep preparing and remember, "Just 'cause there's snow on the rooftop, doesn't mean there ain't a fire in the fireplace."  See you next time.

Candy