Where to store drinking water. About water and containers: safe storage. Rules for the storage of drinking water

Determine your family's daily water needs. Add up the following numbers to determine how much water you need to store (for at least 3 days, preferably longer) - each number represents a daily amount:

  • Each person will need 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of drinking water to drink.
  • For personal hygiene, each person will need 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of drinking water
  • For sanitary needs (toilet), each person needs an average of 2 to 7 gallons (7.6 - 26.5 liters), but this does not require drinking water. If it is possible to dig a pit latrine in your backyard, the amount of water required can be reduced slightly by providing water only for personal hygiene needs (washing hands and removing any faeces from the skin, such as those of infants or those suffering from diarrhea).
  • Don't forget about pets. They will also need clean drinking water.

Fill the water containers to the brim and then place the lid on top. Leave no air gap.

Find suitable ways to store water. It is desirable that you have a variety of containers of various sizes. While a tank or barrel can be a wonderful way to store large amounts of water, what if you suddenly need to take only what you can carry and go to another place where you are safe? What if old, weak or sick people are left on their own and have to carry large volumes of water? It is better to have containers of different sizes in stock, which will fit in any unforeseen circumstances.

  • Choose food-grade plastic water storage tanks or tanks made to store rainwater. Do not use plastic that will contaminate the water.
  • In the US, FDA approved #34 opaque containers may be used.
  • Store water properly. The shelf life of water may depend on the container used, temperature, access to light, etc. Polluted water will not do you any good, so stick to the following rules:

    • Use opaque water containers. If you buy bottled water in reserve, replace it every few months with new ones and either use the old supply for your needs or water your plants with this water.
    • Keep all water away from light. Don't give algae or other life forms the opportunity to develop, which is what they are waiting for.
    • Keep water away from anything that can contaminate it, such as pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, gasoline, paints, or any other chemicals.
    • Do not store water outside where it can freeze. ice block not useful when you don't have heat to melt it. The only exceptions are those who live in regions with a very hot climate, they can store a large number of water in the freezer, as it will melt in the heat.
  • Purify your water supply if you intend to store it for longer than 6 months. If you do not want to purify the water, replace it with fresh water and get rid of the old one (or use it for watering).

    Apply labels and change the water periodically. You need to date each bottle of water so you know when it needs to be changed. The frequency of replacing old water with new water is quite suitable, which would coincide with the replacement of batteries in your fire alarm or with the clock change to winter / summer time.

  • Find out how to properly purify water if the need arises. Water from domestic and drinking pipelines does not need to be cleaned, in which case only replacement is suitable. Water from sources that do not carry out water purification can be purified as follows;

    • Add four drops of unscented household bleach per gallon of water (1 drop per liter of water).
    • Mix well.
    • On the other hand, you can use funds from shops for camping or preparing for natural disasters, which are created specifically for such purposes - water purification. Research the market first to find the most suitable product for your needs and preferences.
  • Clean drinking water is the most important human resource. Proper storage of drinking water is no less important than the choice of water itself.

    Drinking water storage conditions

    To preserve the properties of drinking water, it is recommended to store it at a temperature not exceeding 25 degrees, but not in direct sunlight. Remember also that water loses its qualities during long-term storage, so you should not stock it too much for the future. Permissible periods of storage of drinking water depend on the containers used. If you buy bottled water, always pay attention to the expiration date indicated by the manufacturer and do not exceed it.

    Container for storing drinking water

    Today, there are many types of containers to choose from: plastic, clay, metal, glass. Water can be safely stored in a glass container for up to 3 years. In principle, this is the most recommended option, but not always practical. A small amount of water (up to 50 liters) can be stored in special plastic containers with screw caps. And if you need to store a large amount of water, then it is better to use spare containers made of food-grade plastic or specially treated metal. Melamine containers are the most dangerous: although they are aesthetic and durable, they emit harmful substances.

    If you buy and store water in a plastic bottle, pay attention to its composition. The safest containers are polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. But the content of bisphenol A (BPA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is fraught with the release of toxins after 5-7 days. And the reuse of such containers is prohibited.

    By complying with the basic requirements for the storage of drinking water, you ensure its conservation useful properties and safety for the body.

    In the issue of long-term storage of drinking water, two patterns are clearly visible. We started caring more proper nutrition and the use of high-quality drinking water, and living conditions in big city just forced to do it.

    Now, few citizens will risk drinking tap water, and using it without purification for cooking is even scary. Hence, the use of all kinds of home filters, the purchase of high-quality drinking water in supermarkets and stores, and the need to stock and store water at home are in vogue.

    In addition, urban residents, of course, visit public places recreation: cafes, canteens, restaurants, where the need for clean drinking water is no less. But here visitors have to take on faith the fact that pure drinking water is used to prepare first courses, and sometimes second or numerous berry drinks.

    How serious is the storage problem?

    Let's think... Clean drinking water is always needed at home. In addition to quenching thirst, cooking, proper and healthy "watering" of children, you can remember something else. For example, driving around the city in a car in the summer without some water is not always a joy.

    Traveling far and near... Trips to the country house, to the river, just to relax without a bottle of water will not do. And if 3-4 people go on such a trip? That's right, the number of liters of liquid should be more. And if - this is a trip by car to the southern regions, when it is not known what will be in roadside stores. Of course, it is better to travel with your proven water supplies.

    In general, how cheerfully they sang in one wonderful Soviet comedy film: “Because without water - neither there nor here!” And one cannot but agree with this.

    Proper storage

    For long-term and proper storage of drinking water, it is necessary to fulfill the conditions associated with lighting, temperature environment and containers (or containers).

    Ideal storage conditions are:

    • dark place;
    • temperature from 15 - 25 C?;
    • glass or aluminum container.

    But, we agree that storing water or taking it with you in glassware is very inconvenient (it is heavy and the volumes are small). And the way out is seen in the widespread and massive use of plastic containers (bottles, bottles and bottles).

    Storage in plastic

    Containers in which water will be stored must be made of food grade plastic. The label of such a bottle should be labeled PET (polyethylene terephthalate - plastic is not dangerous to humans). There is also a PVC marking (PVC). is a material with toxic properties. The containers are suitable for storing detergents, but not for drinking water.

    Containers made of melamine, white dense plastic - are categorically not suitable for storing drinking water. Their purpose is to store technical liquids. Such containers are visually recognizable (especially by motorists) and when tapped on them, they emit a muffled low sound.

    If there is no information on the plastic bottle about what material it is made of, all this can be checked. It is enough to press and run your fingernail over the surface, the PET bottle will be restored, a characteristic white mark will remain on the PVC container.

    Additional storage conditions

    Drinking water often comes to us from the store, which means you need to carefully read the label and pay attention to the following:

    • conservation method. There are three of them: with an antibiotic, carbonation, ozonation. 1st well increases the shelf life, but this water can destroy human immunity. The other two are harmless, but after opening the container, the water must be used within a few days;
    • spill period. The closer it is, the more useful substances are stored in the water;
    • spill site. It is better if the water is harvested in your area, and the path to the store is not far, and in terms of shelf life, this is good.

    In general, drinking water in stores in sealed containers, under the right conditions (dark place, temperature 15-25 C?) can be from 6 to 12 months without loss of useful properties. If we approach the storage of drinking water with all seriousness, then we must remember that after the “store” container is unpacked and all the liquid has been used, it is not very desirable to use the same container for re-storing water. Since even PET containers, after about a week, they begin to saturate the water with a harmful substance: vinyl chloride. So it would be better to use plastic bottles disposable or as containers for short-term storage of drinking water. It is better to contact trusted suppliers, for example, you can order water to the office at the Raiske Dzherelo company - the quality there is at a good level.

    Summing up

    Drinking water can be stored in plastic containers for up to 12 months, provided that the bottling and packaging was carried out in the factory. In order for the liquid to retain its properties, it is necessary to observe the storage conditions (darkness, and temperature).

    At home, it is permissible to store drinking water in "plastic" only for a short time (up to 10 days). When traveling, plastic bottles are suitable for water supplies, but, say, in a week you need to get rid of such containers. For long-term storage of water, glassware should be used.

    Hello!

    To disinfect water, you can use solutions of potassium permanganate, iodine, peroxide salts (Aquatabs, SilverPro preparations in the form of tablets for water disinfection), natural minerals shungite and silicon (their use is safe for health), as well as such modern methods such as water ozonation, UV treatment or treatment with colloidal silver and silver salts (in the form of (Ag 2 SO 4 SilverPro). However, some tablet preparations contain harmful substances such as sodium dichloroisocyanurate (Aquatabs), which is classified as moderately hazardous chemicals. Therefore, it is not recommended to use them regularly.

    Modern water treatment plants are presented on the domestic market - ozonizers, UV lamps and ionizers. The choice should be made based on what goal you are pursuing and what in cash you have. I would recommend the treatment of water with colloidal silver, the bactericidal properties of which have been known since antiquity. Silver has a bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect on more than 500 types of bacteria. The effect of killing bacteria with silver preparations is 1500 times higher than the effect of the same concentration of phenol (C 6 H 5 OH) and 3.5 times higher than the effect of sublimate (HgCl 2). 1 mg/l silver in aqueous solution within 30 minutes causes inactivation of influenza viruses A, B, Miter and Sendai. Silver has a pronounced fungicidal effect at a concentration of 0.1 mg / l. With a microbial load of 100,000 cells per 1 liter, the death of pathogenic yeast fungi Candida albicans occurs 30 minutes after contact with silver.

    Silver is not only a metal that inhibits the development of bacteria, but also a trace element, which is integral part body tissues - endocrine glands, brain and liver. The content of silver in the human body is 20 micrograms per 100 g of dry matter. The physiological norm of silver, according to various sources, ranges from 40 to 60 micrograms.

    The effects of silver are determined by the concentration and size of colloidal nanoparticles. In the nanoscale range, silver exhibits unique properties. Silver ions Ag + have bactericidal, bacteriostatic and antiseptic activity. A solution of colloidal silver nanoparticles Ag + has a significantly higher activity.

    Colloidal nanosilver is a material produced by the electrolytic method using ionizer devices, consisting of silver nanoparticles dissolved in demineralized and deionized water (figure).

    Drawing. The photograph shows silver nanoparticles obtained by Russian scientists, fixed on the surface of spherical particles of mesoporous aluminosilicate. Mesoporous aluminosilicate was obtained by hydrolysis of Si(OC 2 H 5) 4 and Al(OC 3 H 7) 3 in the presence of C 16 H 33 (CH 3) 3 NBr as a structure-forming agent. After hydrolysis, the removal of organic components was carried out by annealing in an oxygen flow. To obtain silver nanoparticles, the aluminosilicate was impregnated with an AgNO3 solution and reduced in a hydrogen flow. The resulting nanocomposite exhibits high catalytic activity in the methanol oxidation reaction.

    Many airlines use silver-treated water as a way to protect passengers from infections, incl. dysentery. In many countries, Ag+ colloidal silver ions are used to disinfect swimming pool water. In Russia and abroad, filter materials impregnated with Ag + silver ions are used to purify and disinfect water in homes and offices. At the International space station silver ionizers are also used.

    Ionization of water with silver is carried out with the help of special electrolytic devices - silver ionizers (installations Penguin, Dolphin, Nevoton, Georgy, etc.). The principle of operation of these devices is based on the electrolytic method - transmission direct current through silver or silver-copper electrodes immersed in water. In the process of electrolysis, the silver electrode (anode), dissolving, saturates the water with silver ions Ag + . The concentration of the resulting solution of Ag + ions at a given current strength depends on the operating time of the power source and the volume of treated water. Some modern models of ionizers additionally contain an activated carbon filter to trap harmful impurities.

    At present, compact domestic installations and technologies for water ionization with silver have been created in Russia. With their help, it is possible to carry out effective water treatment of water and its disinfection. Water disinfection systems for swimming pools have also been created.

    The content of silver in drinking water is regulated by SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01 "Drinking water. Hygienic requirements for water quality centralized systems drinking water supply. Quality control" (not more than 0.05 mg/l Ag + in water) and SanPin 2.1.4.1116 - 02 Drinking water. Hygienic requirements for the quality of water packaged in containers. Quality control (not more than 0.025 mg/l Ag + in water ).

    If you do not have the opportunity to purchase a silver ionizer, you can use the old method of disinfecting water by placing silver items in it, for example, silver spoons, forks, etc. This method of infusing water with silver is not as effective as the previous ones using ionizers, but this is the most safe way disinfection of drinking water. From other safe natural materials you can try the mineral shungite, as well as a combination of silver with shungite.

    Here is a seemingly simple question. If you need to transport or store purified water, what is the best way to do it? Of course, if transportation takes 10 minutes, then the question posed in the title of this article is not worth a damn. But, if you need to store a supply of water, say, for a day?

    So, let's not beat around the bush, but get straight to the point:

    1. The best place for water storage glass container. Yes, ordinary glass is the least aggressive medium in principle, it does not react with water and does not spoil it in any way. The disadvantage of glass is its mass and its fragility.

    2. Stainless steel- the second best container for transporting and storing clean water. Stainless steel is an extremely low chemically active alloy, therefore the water in such a container does not acquire any odor or color in most cases (when using a high-quality alloy, of course). Expensive flasks knowingly use stainless steel alloys, moreover, such containers are not subject to accidental destruction during shock, pressure, and falling.

    3. Aluminium alloy. Oddly enough, this is the most practical material. Despite the fact that the water in the aluminum container acquires a distinct taste of metal, it does not harmful properties. Aluminum is light and strong enough, aluminum flasks are extremely durable (it's not for nothing that army units use aluminum flasks). But, over time, deposits may appear inside the aluminum container, which must be periodically removed by washing.

    4. Well, in last place in terms of priority of use is plastic container. It is a simple, affordable and cheap way to transport and store water. Light weight and ease of production have made this container extremely popular.

    However, it is good to know that plastic (food grade) also varies and not every container should be used. You can determine the suitability of plastic by marking (usually on the bottom) in the form of a triangle with arrows and a number inside (and an abbreviation under it). Security (top to bottom):

    polypropylene low density polyethylene
    food containers, syringes, toys, shakers bags (garbage), some containers
    safely relatively safe
    polyethylene terephthalate high density polyethylene other types of plastic
    water bottles, cosmetics, water bottles disposable tableware, containers for cleaning products water bottles, toys, packaging
    practically safe conditionally safe usually safe

    That is, the safest container with the number "5" (PP - polypropylene) and "4" (LDPE - low density polyethylene). And the most dangerous (which should not be used in principle) are “3” (PVC or V - polyvinyl chloride, aka technical plastic) and “6” (PS - polystyrene, not suitable for reuse in anything, as it releases a carcinogen in the form of styrene). And the most common type of plastic is "1" (PETE), almost 100% of water and lemonade bottles are made from it.

    Well, what to get clean water in our world, you need a filtration system. Without water purification, any container is less harmful to your body, so be sure of this.



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