Try Craigslist or ebay
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Water storage barrels
Mon, Nov 19, 2012 - 1:36pm
#3
Try Baytec Containers
I have ordered from these folks and they have excellent choices, prices, sizes, different fittings and rapid service.
And no I have no connection to them ;-)
Mon, Nov 19, 2012 - 2:12pm
#4
Farm, Ranch, Feed Stores
Besides what joemanc suggested, you might also look at feed/farm & ranch stores. They usually have 55 gallon barrels (olive type) available at at bit lower price. And you won't have to pay for shipping.
Mon, Nov 19, 2012 - 3:17pm
#5
55 gallon drums for rainwater
55 gallon drums for rainwater collection are a joke. That small amount would only be suitable for emergency rations for a few people, provided the water was sanitized first. If you want to use the water for plants, you will need many hundreds of gallons, at least, in any semi-arid area.
A much better idea is a home-made tank, using plywood and EPMD liner (or equivalent). You can easily store thousands of gallons in such a tank. Another option is an above-ground swimming pool or something like it, but then you will need to figure out how to prevent or minimize algae growth.
Personally, we use a pair of 5K storage tanks, and another pair of 800 gallon tanks for another garden area. That is 11,600 gallons. This is not enough to make it through a long, hot summer (like the one we just had) but it gets us more than 3/4 of the way through.
After much thought, empirical research and experience, I think the way to go is hugelculture beds combined with reservoirs for rainwater storage. Minimize use, maximize storage capability. A 55-gallon barrel or three for a reality-based garden is like putting an RV-sized solar charger on the roof of your 3,000 sq ft home and calling it "off the grid"...:)
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 - 1:48am
#6
for human consumption
My primary concern is water for human consumption. I am certainly not a sophisticated enough gardener to even consider irrigation yet.
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 - 11:44pm
#7
rdeslonde wrote:
My primary
My primary concern is water for human consumption. I am certainly not a sophisticated enough gardener to even consider irrigation yet.
rdeslonde -
Many options here - scalable to just about any capacity and system arrangement you need/want. If you are talking about emergency use you can get around any poly outgassing concerns. Considering people will drink from a toilet in an emergency, waving the "But polyethylene might outgas" flag is kind of silly IMO.
Why do you think you need to be sophisticated to be a gardener?
Fri, Nov 23, 2012 - 10:09pm
#8
Keyboard alert! Dogs, set down your beverage.
Dogs, to be a sophisticated gardener, you need sophistry. As in, when describing a tomato you grew, holding up your hands about three feet apart and saying, "You should've seen the one that got away!"
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Does anyone know where to buy 55 gallon (or other large size) food grade water barrels that aren't $90+? I know the food industry must use some form of food grade barrel for all the various liquids etc. and I know they aren't paying $90+/barrel. There must be some way of getting these cheaper. If I am going to try to store enough water for a family of 5 for several months, I just can't afford those prices.