55 Gallon Drums

I have just received the final bid information on the water drums from Containers, Here's how it breaks down:

• For an order of only 25 barrels, the cost is higher because it requires shipping ground with an external carrier (like UPS). So, for 25 barrels it's $67 per barrel, which includes tax and shipping, but is super pricey.

However, Containers, Unltd., sends shipments to Fresno regularly on their own big freight truck, so if we order more than the 25 we don't have to pay for the external shipping. So...the price goes down if we order more and ship it on their truck. I am determined to do it this way, so if there is not enough interest from our ward then I will open it up to others who might be interested.

• If we get an order of at least 50 barrels, the cost is only $48.50 per barrel, which includes tax and shipping.
• If we get an order of at least 75 barrels, the cost is $45.50 per barrel, which includes tax and shipping.
• Thus, the more barrels we order, the more the price decreases.

This is a good price. The cheapest I have been able to find these elsewhere is $60 per barrel + taxes & shipping = ouch. Several people have recently told me they were only able to find new drums in the last year for about $69 a piece. So, even the higher rate of $48.50 is an excellent buy.

 

If you are interested, please let me know. I will be sending around a sign up sheet during Primary, RS, & Priesthood this Sunday. Or, I will place a sign-up sheet on the Peachwood Ward bulletin board (under food storage info) if you do not get a chance to sign up during RS or priesthood.

 

Additionally, if you did not already get your water filters, please contact me so we can arrange for you to pick them up!!

 

Best wishes for happy storing!

Water Filters

I just got news today that the water filters have shipped by UPS ground. I'll let you know when they arrive!

HOORAY!!

Water Filters Ordered

Good news! The water filters and water bottles have been ordered. I expect to receive them sometime in the next week or two. I will let you know when they arrive so you can come and pick your order up from me!

Also, the 2-filter water filtration device from PWP has one small alteration: we got a BETTER water filter (the SUPER Sterasyl Ceramic Candle) for the same price. Apparently, they ran out of the regular one, so the orders would have been backlogged until May. Instead of leaving us in the lurch, they are replacing it with an even better, more expensive ceramic filter for the same price. I couldn't be happier with how it has all worked out and I am pleased there will be benefits for everyone else, too!

In the meantime, keep working on finding 55 gallon drums and getting the water storage into place. If you find anything amazing, be sure to pass it on to me so I can share the info. I'll let you know as soon as those beautiful filters arrive!

Happy Storing!

Last Day for Orders & Money

Just a friendly reminder that if you wish to place an order for the 2-Filter Water Filtration Device or for the Water Bottle with Filter, you need to let me know TODAY or TOMORROW. Orders and money are due on Sunday, 17 April 2011.

As a reminder, the 2-filter device is $41.90 each, including taxes & shipping.

The water bottle with filter is $24.20 each, including taxes & shipping.

If you have questions about these products, check out information about them by clicking here. And, of course, email me with any additional questions, to place an order, or to arrange payment.

Happy ordering!!

Water Filtration Buckets

At the fireside on Sunday night, Bro. D. presented us with a lot of great information about water cleanliness and filtration.

One of the ideas he mentioned was creating a bucket system whereby you put one bucket on top of the other, insert a water filter and then let gravity do the work. You can use any ceramic water filter, like the one you can order right now through me - click here to go to the information about that order. Remember money needs to be in by Sunday, April 17, 2011.

Here's a picture of the sort of contraption you can make to let gravity do all the work:

This is a great solution for long-term water filtration because it is economical and saves a lot of time (because gravity is working for you so you don't have to). Anyhow, one of our ward members tipped me off to the website where you can find directions to make these lovelies. You can either click on the picture above, or click here.

Additionally, it was mentioned to me that right now you can find 55 Gallon Water Barrels for sale secondhand on Craigslist. To check out the posting mentioned, click here. I e-mailed the owner of these barrels, and will find out ASAP what was in them beforehand so we can be sure they will be suitable to use for long-term water storage.

Remember, you cannot store water in containers that previously held juice, milk, glycerin, or gasoline (or like substances). So always be sure to ask about what was stored in them prior to your purchase if you are buying them secondhand. A good rule of thumb is this: when in doubt about what was stored inside, DON'T USE IT. After all, better safe than sorry, sick, or (worst of all) dead. Sorry to be so morbid, but the point is hopefully clear that water storage is not something worth taking risks with.

Anyhow, I'll let you know as soon as I do about whether or not these barrels are going to work out. In the meantime, if anyone happens across a great, local water barrel deal (less than $50 is a good deal, usually), please let me know so I can pass it along!

Sunday Fireside

This Sunday, April 10, 2011, there is going to be a Food Storage Fireside at the Stake Center. It will run from 6-7pm, and will be located in the Relief Society Room.

The plan is to provide individuals with a sense of why food storage is important, as well as an idea of what the ward plan will be regarding food storage. Information will also be provided about water storage and how to make food storage work for your individual family.

This fireside is being hosted by the Elder's Quorum, but all are invited to attend. If you have any questions about this, you can contact the Elder's Quorum President, or you can contact me by email at peachwoodpantry@gmail.com.

I hope to see you all there!!

Note: I tried to send out an email, but several bounced back to me as undeliverable or filtered as Spam. If you did not get the email, first check your Spam folder. If it's still not there, please contact me ASAP so I can make the appropriate changes on my contacts list.

The Starting Line: A Disaster Kit & Water

I just received an interesting link to an article titled, "Preparing a Disaster Kit." It doesn't go too in depth, but it gives a great overview of the basic needs to start storing. Check it out by clicking here.

The article cites sources like FEMA and the American Red Cross, so while their information doesn't go into much depth, it's at least from valid sources and gives you a great jumping point. If you wish to go straight to the in-depth source, you can find more information about FEMA's recommendations about water storage by clicking here. And, if you are interested in learning more about what the American Red Cross suggests for disaster kit storage, please click here.

Of particular note in the article is the initial emphasis on the need for water. Since the average person can only live about 2-4 days without water, this is of the utmost necessity. If you wish to start preparing your kit by increasing water storage options, you can do so by joining in the ordering fun this month and getting a water filter. You can view the options available to order by clicking here.

If you wish to participate in the bulk order, and have not already signed up at church or by phone, please e-mail me at peachwoodpantry@gmail.com.

Happy Storing!

Emergency Use Water Purifiers

Starting March 20, there are two options available to order for Emergency Use Water Purifiers through the Peachwood Ward. Payment must be received PRIOR to the order being placed. Money must be in no later than Sunday, April 17, 2011, if you wish to receive the discounted price as part of the bulk rate. E-mail me at peachwoodpantry@gmail.com if you have questions about payment options, who to make checks payable to, etc.

It should be noted that neither of the following water filters provides a long-term solution, but both are suitable for emergency situations.

OPTION 1:


For shorter term water filtration, I recommend you purchase the Water Filtration Bottle Kit from the church Distribution Services. According to their website, “This advanced bottle removes up to 99.99% of pollutants and contaminants found in drinking water. Produces up to 100 gallons of filtered water.”

The kit is particularly good because it comes with two filters, increasing your capacity to 200 gallons. It works by filtering the water as you suck the water through the straw, so it filters only what you will be drinking.

WATER FILTRATION BOTTLE KIT $24.20
Includes one 28 oz. water bottle with insulator sleeve and clip, and two filters.

For more information about this water bottle and/or replacement filters, please go to the LDS Distribution Services store here.

OPTION 2:

Manufactured by Pure Water Products in Texas (pwp@pwgazette.com), this is a two filter purifier, using both a Ceramic filter and a Carbon filter.

Ceramic filter removes up to 99.9% of bacteria and other biological contaminants including (but not limited to) e. Coli, Vibrio Cholerae (Cholera), Shingella, Salmonella Typhi (Typhoid), Crytosporidium, Giardia and many other types of bacteria, making it safe to drink. This is a reusable cartridge that will last as long as it can be re-cleaned. If the water is reasonably particle-free, it should last for many thousands of gallons.

Carbon filter removes chemicals in the water, and improves the taste and odor of the water. It is guaranteed for a capacity of up to 1,500 gallons and is easily replaced for a fraction of the overall cost ($15 or less from PWP).

Both filters are silver-impregnated to prevent bacteria growth within the filters.

Specifications: Both filters measure approximately 10" x 2" in physical size. The siphon tubing is ¼” ID x 48" and comes with the adapter to attach to the ceramic and/or carbon filters. Flow rate is about 3 gallons per hour.

Pictured to the right is the SK103 model. On the right side is the ceramic filter, and on the left the carbon filter.

SK103 TWO-FILTER SYSTEM $41.90
Includes one ceramic and one carbon filter along with adaptors and tubing. (The price above reflects a minimum total bulk order of 50 units)

For more information about the SK103 model (or others like it), replacement filters, and so forth, please visit Pure Water Products' website here.

ALL PRICES INCLUDE TAXES & SHIPPING

Note: Only the SK103 Two-Filter System is on a bulk discounted price (because it normally costs $61+tax). The water bottles can be purchased at any time through the church Distribution Services, located here.