Here's an interesting exercise on "first world problems" we developed a mains water leak on our side of the meter and had to shut off the water for 4 days at no notice. Our drinking water on hand consisted of 3 x 25L Jerry cans (tapped) plus 6 x 5L small cans plus some commercial mineral water. So 100 litres of tap water and another 25 L of bottles. Plus, for all purposes, near infinite rainwater (25,000 litres+). That sounds like plenty for a few days in the house doesn't it?
What did we learn?
Well, Jerry cans are heavy. Using them in place of tap water is hard work. If you think you are going to carry 60 pounds of water from a nearby water source (even a neighbour in our case) think again. They do fit nicely on a sack truck though!
Sack truck by English Countrylife, on Flickr
We have a septic tank so that's good. All we need to do is fill the cistern from a grey water supply and the toilet works. My plan for this was (free) 10L commercial canisters
10L water can by English Countrylife, on Flickr
They fill easily from the IBC tanks that we store rainwater in (good use of 1m hose attachment) and store and stack neatly. 10L gets you 2 basic flushes.
The damn things slop. Everywhere. A much better solution is a watering can
Watering can by English Countrylife, on Flickr
Even a 99p bucket pours far better!
What else did we learn?
Well a kettle full of boiling water (1.5L) and an equal amount of cold give 3L of hand hot water. That is **** all use for washing up. Luckily I have several stove top kettles (including a 3L one). Old fashioned big kettles weren't for drinks, they were for washing up, washing self, washing clothes.
Also, if you are old, remember how to wash up correctly. Glasses first, then cutlery, then crockery, then pans. If you are young, trust me. Don't wash a glass in water that has washed greasy pans. If you are boiling 4 kettles to do one wash up, you don't want to change the water.
We needed a minimum of two, tapped, clean, dispensers for drinking water in the kitchen. One to use, one to fill (would need this especially if purifying our own water). We needed more, smaller ones for bathrooms (washing and tooth cleaning)
A really good, humbling experience to spend a few days without mains water. We didn't even ave to travel far to collect it (and never would where we live) but the amount of time required to heat water, fill cisterns, collect water (without spending time making it safe) is appreciable, We take our luxuries too much for granted.
What did we learn?
Well, Jerry cans are heavy. Using them in place of tap water is hard work. If you think you are going to carry 60 pounds of water from a nearby water source (even a neighbour in our case) think again. They do fit nicely on a sack truck though!
Sack truck by English Countrylife, on Flickr
We have a septic tank so that's good. All we need to do is fill the cistern from a grey water supply and the toilet works. My plan for this was (free) 10L commercial canisters
10L water can by English Countrylife, on Flickr
They fill easily from the IBC tanks that we store rainwater in (good use of 1m hose attachment) and store and stack neatly. 10L gets you 2 basic flushes.
The damn things slop. Everywhere. A much better solution is a watering can
Watering can by English Countrylife, on Flickr
Even a 99p bucket pours far better!
What else did we learn?
Well a kettle full of boiling water (1.5L) and an equal amount of cold give 3L of hand hot water. That is **** all use for washing up. Luckily I have several stove top kettles (including a 3L one). Old fashioned big kettles weren't for drinks, they were for washing up, washing self, washing clothes.
Also, if you are old, remember how to wash up correctly. Glasses first, then cutlery, then crockery, then pans. If you are young, trust me. Don't wash a glass in water that has washed greasy pans. If you are boiling 4 kettles to do one wash up, you don't want to change the water.
We needed a minimum of two, tapped, clean, dispensers for drinking water in the kitchen. One to use, one to fill (would need this especially if purifying our own water). We needed more, smaller ones for bathrooms (washing and tooth cleaning)
A really good, humbling experience to spend a few days without mains water. We didn't even ave to travel far to collect it (and never would where we live) but the amount of time required to heat water, fill cisterns, collect water (without spending time making it safe) is appreciable, We take our luxuries too much for granted.