If you're in the process of making emergency preparedness plans, the first thing you want to do is get your water supply in order. The best way to do that is through the use of long-term storage containers. You could use ordinary plastic bottles, but the containers won't last as long as they should. Not only that, you'll need a lot of plastic bottles to provide for all your emergency water supply. If you're going to invest in long-term water storage containers, you'll want to make sure that you get the storage procedures right. Here are four crucial tips for setting up your long-term water storage containers. 

Make the Grade

When it comes to preparing your long-term water storage, you need to make sure that you start with the right containers. There are a lot of plastic containers on the market, but not all of them are made from food-grade plastic. Unfortunately, if you choose non-food grade plastic containers, your water might not be as safe and sanitary as you need it to be. To properly protect your emergency water supply, make sure you choose food grade containers for your long-term water storage. 

Repeat the Clean

Whether you purchase new or used food grade containers for your long-term water storage, you'll need to start the storage procedure with a thorough cleaning. You want to avoid any type of contamination when storing water for emergency purposes. The best way to do that is to start with clean containers. Once you have your containers, clean them out thoroughly. Place about two-gallons of water and one-cup of liquid chlorine bleach into each container. Close the lids on the containers and swish the solution around inside. Allow the solution to set for about an hour. Empty the containers and rinse them with clean water. Your containers are now ready to use for water storage. 

Keep Things Potable

When filling your storage containers, you want to make sure that maintain a potable supply of water—water that's safe for human consumption. To do that, you need to start with the right hose. Using an ordinary garden hose could allow contaminants to enter your water supply. Instead, you want to be sure to use a potable hose when filling your long-term water storage containers. 

Take Care With Storage

Finally, if you're going to be storing an emergency supply of water on your property, you'll want to avoid mistakes with the storage. Your water containers will need to be stored in a cool, dry location; preferably away from direct sunlight. It's also important that you keep them off the ground, preferably on a pallet system. Leaving your water containers on the ground could cause damage to the plastic. 

Don't take chances with your emergency water supply. Use the tips provided here to ensure the safe and effective use of long-term storage containers for your emergency water supply. For more information, contact a long-term water storage container supplier in your area.