We have two 2,500 gallon water tanks that collect rainwater off the shelter roof in the high use area. The water could be filtered through a cotton sheet. Yes, a sheet. Did you know if water passes through 8 layers of a cotton sheet that has been filtered enough to drink? No need to have a fancy filter system, just use a king sheet and wash it a couple of times a year.
The tanks typically just feed water to the animals in the high use area. It fills the trough which is regulated by a float (see watering system blog). This water can also be routed down to the poultry area and garden. We figured there is enough stored water to take care of our animals for a minimum of 40 days.
If we were in a disaster, and we needed water because we did not have electricity to use the well pump, we could go up to the water tanks and get water out of the spicket at the bottom of the tanks. If the situation was long-term, we could put together several long hoses and run a line down to the house.
This scenario is if we don’t have power to run the well house. If we lose electricity, we do have a gasoline powered generator that is designated just for the well. We also keep lots of spare fuel on hand to use in the generator if needed. Since gas does go bad over time, we use it in our cars regularly and rotate it.
In worse case scenario, we can get water from a natural source. We would need to travel a few miles to the Molalla River and bring it back. If we had fuel to spare, we would travel vis car, motorcycle, or gator. If fuel is sparse, we would travel by bicycle or foot. We have several ways to collect, travel with, and store spare water.
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