Question on storing water

[julie61554]

My husband works at a dairy. They have these big drums that they store orange juice in. He can buy these for about $3.00. I thought of this while reading someones thread that they had bought several of these drums to store water in. That made me think why not have him buy some from work. The thing is, the orange juice is stored in them but in a heavy plastic bag liner. Can the water be stored directly in these drums? If so, what would I need to do to store water in them? Thanks for any help.

Julie

 

[eXe]

Got a pic of what they look like?

As for what I use, they are the blue plastic 55 gallon drums that you see everywhere.. if its like that you can probably use it to store water.

Chances are as long as they seal up good and can stand the pressure of water being in it (which I assume they can after having OJ in them) they will be ok for water storage.

I would give them a good hot bleach water soak and washing before storing water in them also just to be safe.

 

[julie61554]

We haven't gotten them yet but he goes to work tomorrow so I will have him get at least one and take a picture of it. He says that it is a black metal barrel (drum). The lid snaps on and has a metal band that seals the lid to the barrel. I am just telling you how he is describing it to me. I am wondering if he could get his hands on plastic liner if that would help.

Julie

 

[Karnie]

We haven't gotten them yet but he goes to work tomorrow so I will have him get at least one and take a picture of it. He says that it is a black metal barrel (drum). The lid snaps on and has a metal band that seals the lid to the barrel. I am just telling you how he is describing it to me. I am wondering if he could get his hands on plastic liner if that would help.

Julie

This does not sound like any sort of food grade storage barrel I've ever seen. I'd not be drinking water stored in these barrels, if it were me.

However, with that said, there are other needs for water - bathing, flushing toilets, etc. These would certainly fill that storage need.

 

[julie61554]

This does not sound like any sort of food grade storage barrel I've ever seen. I'd not be drinking water stored in these barrels, if it were me.

However, with that said, there are other needs for water - bathing, flushing toilets, etc. These would certainly fill that storage need.

Yeah that is what I was afraid of. My husband said he thought the inside would rust. But if we could get the plastic liners would that make a difference?

Like you said though, we could use them to store water for other purposes.

Thanks.

Julie

 

[Windy Ridge]

You might try a plastic coating for your "water for other purposes" barrel. The stull used for do-it-yourself pickup bedliners might work. I wouldn't drink the water unless it was the only water available but it might work good with washing water.

Windy Ridge

 

[SmartAZ]

Your local janitor supply store has plastic bags in various sizes. Hotels routinely use a plastic bag in a clean garbage can to handle ice, water, tea, etc for banquets.

 

[Mongo]

Doesn't sound like a good water storage barrel (rust) - BUT, sounds like a great grain, guns, or gear storage system.