Second in a series.
Re: “Water for Sale – for the Future”
In his untiring attempts to convince Culver City residents to stock up on sizable containers of water in case of a disaster, community activist Dr. Ira Diamond recently was relating a story he hoped would serve as a warning to skeptics.
Dr. Diamond was speaking on the eve of National Preparedness Month – as in storing an adequate supply of water – which starts Thursday. He and Christine Parra, emergency services coordinator for the Fire Dept., are co-chairs of Culver City’s Water First program.
Between now and Sept. 16, they are offering 55-gallon water storage containers to the public at bargain rates.
Now, what about Dr. Diamond’s experiences away from civilization?
“I have done a lot of camping and backpacking,” the podiatrist said.
“When you are out there camping and backpacking, there always are rivers and streams around you. That way you can boil the water or strain the water.
“But when you are in Los Angeles, surrounded by millions of people, there is a major disaster and you don’t have rivers, streams or sources of water, the only water you will have is what you have stored.
“People don’t think about water in normal times,” said Dr. Diamond, “because you can get it anywhere. It’s free! But there is not such access in a disaster.”
Here is a Q & A from Culver City’s Water First program:
Why purchase a 55-gallon water container?
The minimum recommended amount of stored water needed for disaster preparedness is one gallon per person per day. Once filled with a water preservative concentrate, the water will last five years.
Who will provide the containers?
Water storage systems may be purchased from many vendors.
“More Prepared” has offered a group rate for the residents of Culver City.
What you get:
The 55-Gallon Water Storage system includes a 55-gallon water barrel, siphon pump, water preservative, two plastic caps and a plastic bung wrench.
The water storage barrel weighs 20.6 pounds empty. Barrel dimensions: 35” x 24.5”. (Water not included.)
Cost of the set is $98.55, which includes tax and shipping to our central location.
Pick up:
To receive this special bulk pricing, all orders must be received by Friday, Sept. 16.
By placing this order, a resident agrees to pick up his 55-Gallon Water Storage Unit on Sunday, Sept. 25, between 2 o’clock and 5, at the Fire Dept. drill yard, 9275 Jefferson Blvd.
Ms. Parra may be contacted at 310.253.5909. Mr. Diamond may be contacted at 310.309.4084.
Lovely sentiment. However, my research has revealed some facts that homeowners/renters need to know.
1. These barrels cannot be placed directly on cement. Must be on a platform of some sort. Something to do with chemical leakage from concrete and other nearby things.
2. These barrels are so very heavy that once full you would need a “tractor/trailer “to move them (well, maybe a very heavy duty cart with wheels). Not very practical in an earthquake when they are stored in your garage or even on a patio where there is a potential for building collapse. And you must be strong enough to wrestle it onto a cart to move, or roll it on the ground.
3. If 5 years passes, you will have to empty them. Because they are nearly impossible to move, you need to consider how you are going to get that water out to the yard.
4. If you need to leave your area/home, you need smaller containers you can move and/or carry. And in a situation where there is not much time, I would rather have water already stored in smaller containers.
So, after much research, and really, really wanting to buy one of these, I have to pass. I urge others to do their research to make sure that this is the best solution for them. For some, it will be. But for a single woman, it most certainly isn’t.
“2. These barrels are so very heavy that once full you would need a “tractor/trailer “to move them (well, maybe a very heavy duty cart with wheels). Not very practical in an earthquake when they are stored in your garage or even on a patio where there is a potential for building collapse. And you must be strong enough to wrestle it onto a cart to move, or roll it on the ground.
3. If 5 years passes, you will have to empty them. Because they are nearly impossible to move, you need to consider how you are going to get that water out to the yard.”
WaterSaver, you shouldn’t need to move your full water barrel. You can tap it right where it is.
Also, should you need to empty that water barrel in 5 years time, you just run a hose from the tap in your water barrel (which, yes, should be slightly elevated on a wooden platform, correct) down and out into your yard, where the water will drain out of the other end of the hose.