Water access when camping is not as simple as turning on a tap. There may be no access to the mains water supply, and even when there is, water needs to be carried to your pitch. This article looks at some of the best containers for storing and transporting water in the great outdoors.
Having a means to store and carry water makes wild camping easier
Water storage is not just about having access to safe drinking water, it is also essential for cooking and cleaning. There are numerous water storage options, and choosing the right one will depend on when, where and how you are camping.
Popular Water Storage Solutions
Let’s start with a favourite of survivalists everywhere, the plastic jerry can.
Plastic Jerry Cans
Jerry cans are light, compact, affordable and portable. They come in a range of sizes, from 1 litre to 25 litres, and in non-stackable and stackable styles. Jerry cans are designed to carry liquids, and their built-in handle makes them the ideal water carrier.
Medium-sized jerry cans are a good option for short camping trips and emergency water backup, 5 litre and 10 litre sizes provide a useful volume of water whilst not being too heavy to carry.
Jerry cans are a great option for portable water storage
Blue Barrels
Sometimes you need to sacrifice portability for volume. And when you do, a blue barrel could be your first port of call.
Blue barrels or open-top drums are a practical classic. They are available in a (theoretically) portable 30 litre size right up to 220 litres. They are food grade and water-tight.
They are useful for all sorts of outdoor adventures, including group camps, base camps and long-term off-grid setups. They can be easily converted for rainwater collection, and can also be used for greywater or even keeping food supplies safe.
Open-top drums can be used as a water butt to collect rainwater
IBC Tanks (Intermediate Bulk Containers)
These tanks mean business. A reinforced cube of pure liquid storage heft. They can contain 1000 litres of water and come complete with boreholes for convenient hose hook-up and a tap for easy pouring.
IBCs are unsurpassed for large liquid storage. They can be found in permanent or semi-permanent campsites and homesteads, as well as large group events such as festivals and gatherings.
An IBC tank can store 1000 litres of water
Practical Tips for Using Outdoor Water Containers
Whatever size and shape your water storage comes in, there are a few things to watch out for. The first question is whether you’re using the water for drinking or not. A jerry can filled from a home tap will be safe to drink for a couple of days. In other instances, choosing a freshwater source, the right water treatment and testing help to ensure the water is safe to drink.
Cleaning and sanitising containers regularly and only drinking fresh, tested water are important water-safety steps. It is good practice to store water containers away from direct sunlight, and labelling and separating drinking water from greywater.
Proper water planning and preparation can help make your next adventure go more smoothly. So, whether you need a 5 litre jerry can for that emergency swig en route, or are planning a longer-term adventure with a trailer of IBCs, choosing the right container can make everything (and not just the water) flow that much more smoothly.
