Stored water needs protecting from two things: contamination and, in cold climates, freezing, and both are cheaper to prevent than to repair.
Keep it clean
- Block the light. Opaque, UV-resistant tanks discourage algae.
- Use safe materials. Concrete or steel storage should be lined with a food-grade liner.
- Keep covers tight so debris, insects and animals cannot get in.
- Test the water. The book advises testing at least once a year, even if it looks and tastes normal, because water quality can change with the seasons and with changes in nearby land use.
Protect it from freezing
The book describes winter-proofing as an essential skill, because you cannot get through a whole winter if your supply freezes. Its advice includes:
- Know your frost depth. It is typically about 1 to 4 feet (roughly 0.3 to 1.2 metres). Your local building codes will tell you the figure for your area.
- Keep water lines below it, or give them proper protection where they cannot be buried that deep.
- Seal wells. If you use a well, keep the cover airtight so cold air stays out. Foam or fibreglass insulation can help.
- Insulate above-ground tanks with a thick layer of foam on the outside.
- Look after indoor plumbing too, using foam and heat tape, and cover pipes tightly.
- Disconnect outdoor hoses and any exposed pipes before the first hard frost.
Do it before the cold arrives
Add a short autumn checklist to your calendar: inspect tanks and covers, insulate, drain what should be drained and test your backup plan for water if a line does freeze. The winter preparation article covers the wider property.
Treat before drinking
Keeping water in good condition in the tank is not the same as making it fit to drink. Filtration and purification, described in filtration vs purification, are still needed.
You can read the whole chapter in the Off-Grid Water guide, and the books cover winter-proofing alongside every other system. Off Grid Survival for Beginners is a good place to start if you are planning your first winter.