LEACHING!

The question has been asked, “Why shouldn’t we store plastic water barrels on concrete?”

The following statement is from preparedness lecturer Kenneth Moravec:

“Concrete attracts fluids and ‘bleeds’. Anything that has been on or in that concrete will find it’s way into your plastic water barrel. This includes the lime in the concrete, any hazardous materials (i.e. gasoline, oils, kerosene or anything a contractor used in construction), algae, etc. Usually it is not enough to make the water toxic but it will taint the water enough to make the taste unbearable. And no amount of pouring it from container to container will take that taste away.”

By the way, this is also the reason we’re cautioned about placing plastic food storage buckets directly on concrete. Using 2 x 4s or plywood under barrels and buckets is an easy solution to the leaching problem.