Water an Essential Resource - Part II

It has been six weeks since we installed two rain barrels. Since that time we have had plenty of rain to keep our barrels resupplied and we have been faithful to use the collected water on our vegetables and flowers. It takes between one and three minutes to fill our watering cans depending on the amount of water in the barrels. I typically water with one can while allowing the other to fill with water, which helps me use my time efficiently.

We have also added a third barrel to collect overflow when we have a good rain. We accomplished this by cutting a 3/4" hole near the top of an original barrel and inserting a PVC pipe to move the water from barrel A to barrel B.

We filled a 4th stand alone barrel by filling it with water from a barrel just prior to a big rain. Thus, we  currently have four 55 gallon barrels to capture and store over 200 gallons of water when they are full.

I have noted that using a watering can to water the vegetables gives me the ability to focus on specific plants versus using a sprinkler which waters everything but wastes a some water as well.

We'll have to wait and see if the water bill is significantly less this summer compared to last year and of course, this assumes that we'll continue to have some nice summer rains.

Water an Essential Resource

Water is everywhere, it is abundant, assumed to be infinite and absolutely critical to sustain life. It falls to earth as rain, snow, and dew and is provided to most of us via our municipal water supply. To survive FEMA recommends: "You should have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking." That does not include all the additional, extraneous, and frivolous ways we use water. I spent some time considering how to be a better steward of this life sustaining resource and made some changes in my life. This post will discuss one thing we have done to conserve water, prepare a bit for an "outage" and eventually save some money on our utility bill.

Earlier this month we purchased some 55 gallon plastic food grade barrels. Thus far we have converted two to catch rain water from our gutters. These "rain barrels" collect 55 gallons of water for every half inch of rain that falls. I was very surprised at just how much water came off a small portion of our roof! Here are pictures of the initial purchase and after it was plumbed and painted.

We inverted the barrels, cut a hole in the top, added a screen to keep out debris and mosquitoes, and positioned the gutter to empty right over the hole in the barrel. We have raised the barrels up off the ground and have added a short piece of hose to fill our watering can.

We are primarily using the rain barrels to water our garden. We get " chemical free water" at no charge and don't have to pay a sewage fee on the back end - sorry I couldn't resist the pun. What I have noticed is that by watering with a can instead of the hose is that my watering is much more specific. I am able to water the plants without watering everything else around the plants which wasted water. Depending on the amount of water in the barrel my watering can fills up anywhere from three minutes down to just over one minute when it is at capacity. It currently takes more time to water, but as soon as I purchase a second watering can one can be filling while the other is used for watering. This will reduce my watering time significantly.

If our water supply were ever to be disrupted we have an emergency supply to tide us over for a few days or even longer assuming we still have rain! You may be thinking, "you are not really going to drink "that" water are you?" It would not typically be my first choice, but as a backpacker I have enjoyed filtered water from sources far less "hygienic" than a rain barrel. I would certainly filter, boil or treat the water before drinking it but I would most certainly drink "that" water! Besides in a pinch we can use the water to flush toilets, wash clothes, and shower!

Because we are getting such a bounty from our two rain barrels our next project is to add an additional barrel in series to capture the excess water that we expect to have.

Thanks for reading!

TEOTWAWKI

I remember the first time I saw "TEOTWAWKI". I thought what the heck is that? As I dug a little deeper I began to discover that I needed to wake up and get my act together...

TEOTWAWKI stands for, The End Of The World As We Know It. What the heck does that mean anyway? Let's unpack this a just a bit. First, "The World As We Know It" assumes and enjoys an infinite supply of clean tap water, natural gas, electricity, gasoline, and grocery store shelves stocked with food. Thus, "The End" of all that would be characterized by a complete lack, absence, or severe shortages of clean tap water, natural gas, electricity, gasoline, and empty grocery store shelves.

We live in a country that follows the rule of law that is supported by law enforcement. TEOTWAWKI would by definition find law enforcement severely hampered or non-existent.

There are numerous events that could cause TEOTWAWKI, and I have no crystal ball to predict what that might be. There is no way to prepare for every possible cause but there are general preparations that each of us can make.

First consider what are likely events that could create a TEOTWAWKI scenario for your specific area and how long would that scenario typically last? The length of time that a hurricane or blizzard brings chaos is very different from an economic problem that closes the banks, an EMP from the sun or enemy that cripples our electric grid, or a dirty bomb that leaves an area uninhabitable for decades.

A hurricane might create a need to leave a "bug out" situation or a "hunker down" and ride it out scenario. To leave you would want to have a reliable vehicle, some fuel in reserve just in case the local tanks are empty, some non-perishable food and water with you, an idea of where you are heading, maps for alternate routes, and some "roughing it" supplies - think camping trip.

If you choose to "hunker down" and ride it out consider some period of time that you might be isolated and without water, natural gas, electricity, gasoline, and grocery store shelves stocked with food. (think Katrina) What will you eat? How will you cook it? Do you have enough water for a week? Do you have any idea of how much water you will need to drink, cook, wash dishes, flush toilets, bathe, etc.? If looters come calling what will you do? Will you roll over and let them take your food, or your car, Rape or murder you or a family member?

Now is the time to prepare not the day the "storm" hits. By this time it's simply too late, the stores will be empty, gas stations will be empty, and the ATM's will be cleaned out or won't work. All of the preceding will accelerate if the power is out - no food, gas, or ATM'S! At least have enough cash on hand to pay $10-$15 a gallon for gasoline to fill your tank and get out of town; 20 gallons @ $15 / gallon = $300, they won't take your credit or debit card!