Water barrells. Ok, I have my 55 gal. barrells to store my water in. Now how do I get the water out? Is there a simple hand pump or siphon mechanism I can use that will not contaminate my water supply? Johan

-- johan (reisch@c-zone.net), August 19, 1999

Answers

I second that question. I bought 2 of those red, self-priming Transfer Pumps (hand pump) that comes with a 50" intake/discharge hose and a 31" dipstick tube (from Harbor Freight, 800/905-5220). My thinking is that I will dedicate one exclusively to water transfer and the other to fuel (I have a campstove that uses regular campstove fuel or auto gasoline, in case that backup supply becomes necessary). I know I should have tested this system, but I have a DWGI spouse from whom I am hiding some of my preps, until and if he ever changes his mind and becomes a partner in contingency planning. Will this type of pump be okay for drawing up and out of a water barrel if I put some on the floor of the basement? For drawing fuel OUT of an auto, as opposed to putting it in? If anyone knows from experience if this plan is workable, or needs another component, I'd also appreciate the info/advice. Thanks.

-- Kristi (KsaintA@aol.com), August 19, 1999.

Most store that sell the water barrols also sell the pumps for about $9. Go back and see if they have them.

-- freddie (freddie@thefreeloader.com), August 19, 1999.

I once read on a prep thread that today's cars do not allow for easy siphoning like the good old days. (Something to do with a design improvement after the last oil crisis?) I have yet to test this out on my 2 cars, but plan to soon. Does anyone know if this is indeed true. If so, what year was the cutoff? This could leave more than a few people frustrated if it is true and they were counting on their fuel?

-- Safer (buggedoutof@lanta.net), August 19, 1999.

honeyvillegrain.com has pumps for 55 gal barrels for 9.95. Go to price list under containers.

-- LG (mimesis@webtv.net), August 19, 1999.

Northern Hydraulics has 55 gal barrel water pumps for about 22.00 to $24.00 - that was the best price I found.

reminder, until you refill the barrel at the end of December (don't need to fil them now!) - remember to keep them clean and DRY. The residual water in the bottom of a "clean" barrel will grow all sorts of "biologics."

(Who knows, you may find a DiEter in the bottom of your barrel - when you least expect it! 8<)

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), August 19, 1999.

Robert, I wouldn't say don't fill them now. Fill one or more in case the grid goes during the GPS rollover, Y2K testing, or just because some of the electricity has been going down more and more. If you don't use it now, use those barrels first later.

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWAyne@aol.com), August 19, 1999.

Of course, if you live in earthquake country like we do, fill 'em up!

-- bw (home@puget.sound), August 19, 1999.

How does the GPS rollover affect electricity?

-- Sam (sam67@home.com), August 19, 1999.