Best Ways to Store Water Long-Term?

[OrbitJazz21]

Looking to boost my water reserves for long-term storage and wanted to see what methods folks here trust most. I’ve seen everything from 55-gallon food grade drums to mylar bags with treatment drops. For those doing this off-grid, do you rotate or treat your water regularly, or just store and forget? Also curious about any tips to keep algae and bacteria under control, especially if stored outside. Would appreciate any real world advice or what’s worked (or failed) for you.

 

[StarlitNavigator]

Would appreciate any real world advice or what’s worked (or failed) for you.

Real world experience here—food-grade barrels have held up best for me, especially when stored out of direct sunlight. I use unscented household bleach (per CDC guidelines) to treat the water, and rotate every six months or so. Once tried using old milk jugs, but they degraded and leaked—wouldn’t

 

[PrepperLinda65]

Glass jugs with tight lids work well for smaller amounts, but for bulk storage, I stick to the blue 55-gallon food grade barrels too. Keep them off the ground if possible and away from sunlight—sunlight’s a real algae magnet. Bleach is reliable (I add about 1/8 tsp per gallon), but I always rotate every 6 months just in case. Curious—has anyone tried those emergency water pouches long-term? Wondering if they’re worth the extra cost.

 

[BlueMarigold]

I’ve had good luck with the blue barrels too, but I add a layer of plastic sheeting underneath to stop moisture from seeping up. Has anyone used ceramic filters for backup?

 

[GarnetDusk]

I’ve tried the emergency pouches—honestly, pricey for what you get and not great for bartering. Have you ever had one burst after a few years?

 

[BlueSkyWanderer]

I’ve seen everything from 55-gallon food grade drums to mylar bags with treatment drops.

I’ve experimented with both those options—honestly, the 55-gallon food grade drums have been the most practical for me too. Mylar bags work pretty well for short-term or if you’re tight on space, but they can be punctured easily if you’re not careful. Treatment