roguetrader
Well-known member
the subject of water storage containers was mentioned in another thread I read earlier, but I thought it best to post this tip in the gear section...
basically I want to strongly advise anyone travelling in a vehicle that you store your water in proper water butt's that are solid black in colour OR alternatively if you use white opaque water butt's (common in Europe) make sure you clean and sterilise them regularly and very importantly - do not allow green algae to build up inside...
a few years ago someone I lived with on a traveller site / park up in England almost died from consuming water from a butt that was heavily contaminated with algae - I can't remember the science behind it all but the guy was found delirious and covered in his own shit, and after undergoing tests in hospital the cause was found to be the heavy algae contamination in his water supply.... it was pretty scary coz many people on out scene are slack about cleaning things like water containers - fortunately I've had black military butts for years so not had any issues like this myself...
Edit - after a little browse online it sounds like it's the build up of blue green algae and resulting cyanobacteria that is harmful to humans, rather than the more common green algae I mention above.... either way keep your butt sterilised !
basically I want to strongly advise anyone travelling in a vehicle that you store your water in proper water butt's that are solid black in colour OR alternatively if you use white opaque water butt's (common in Europe) make sure you clean and sterilise them regularly and very importantly - do not allow green algae to build up inside...
a few years ago someone I lived with on a traveller site / park up in England almost died from consuming water from a butt that was heavily contaminated with algae - I can't remember the science behind it all but the guy was found delirious and covered in his own shit, and after undergoing tests in hospital the cause was found to be the heavy algae contamination in his water supply.... it was pretty scary coz many people on out scene are slack about cleaning things like water containers - fortunately I've had black military butts for years so not had any issues like this myself...
Edit - after a little browse online it sounds like it's the build up of blue green algae and resulting cyanobacteria that is harmful to humans, rather than the more common green algae I mention above.... either way keep your butt sterilised !
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