Water Storage questions?

I've been reading all I can about prepping but am confused about the issue with water storage.  I've purchased 5 collasaple water containers (all that my Wal-mart had)  several gallon jugs of water and I called Orcheleons today and they have a 50 gallon water container for $29.00 which I plan on picking up tomorrow.  My question is, should I go ahead and fill all of these up with water or wait until the flu actually arrives and if so, will that be to late? 

I thought I read that the virus only lives in water for a certain amount of time so I was wondering if I could still continue to use my city water if the flu arrived as long as I put the proper amount of bleach in it and let it sit? Or is it that once the flu arrives I should not use my city water at all even for laundry? 

Is everyone saving/storing up water in case the water plants close or because you don't think the water will be safe at all no matter how much bleach is put into it once the virus arrives? 

I don't have much money to spend on a lot of items but I'm scrimping every penny I can to make sure I have all the bases covered and lots of food!  Can't even imagine that if I didn't do this and having to tell my children that I have no water for them to drink or food to eat!!  I just wish my friends would listen.

Thanks!

Great idea - 2 liter bottles of soda and asking my co-workers & friends is a good idea.  I thought was interesting what something said on another post about a couple of people in a town can buy up all of one item.  My Wal-Mart had only 5 collaspable water containers and I bought them all so if someone watches the Oprah show and goes to Wal-Mart on Wednesday there will likely not be any there.

So another question - if the BF was an issue would it be safe to wash laundry in hot water w/bleach?  And, what about storing water for laundry/dishes in new rubbermaid trash cans?

Appreciate everyone's posts in this forum.

Definitely plan to quarantine myself and my family.  I work at home anyway doing payroll and benefits for a large plant but if no one is working at the plant because of the Bird Flu then who knows what will happen. 

ok, that grosses me out too!  I did not know that.  I used to make my own Oxyclean with hydrogen peroxide and something else - guess I better dig out that recipe and make a huge batch and start using it.

htpp,

WOW!  If you find that recipe PLEASE POST IT!  Oxyclean is soooo expensive, but I use it anyway.  Hydrogen peroxide is CHEAP.

SophiaZoe, I found the oxy-clean recipe:

Homemade Oxy Clean Recipe
Mix one cup hot water, 1/2 cup baking soda, and 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide. Just soak the clothing in the washing machine for 20 minutes to overnight and then wash as usual.

I've also read that a generic form of oxy-clean is sold at the Dollar Tree - not sure how much but I figure I'd compare costs of making it to the cost of the Dollar Tree brand but after what you said it's definitely going in every load of laundry that I do from now on.

Thanks again!

halogen601,

I use plastic garbage cans for water storage all of the time.  They work great. I have used the water for everything but drinking and cooking. I use plastic garbage cans for many uses and they come in all price ranges.  The ones with wheels are particularly great for storing and moving just about anything.

htpp,

Thanks for sharing the homemade Oxy-clean recipe.  I definitely have to give that a try!  I've been very concerned with how to deal with clothing nasties when coming in from the outside. This sounds like the answer I've been looking for.

I have all my plastic containers on my basement floor(cement)underneath my stairs in a cupboard..I have never heard of not putting them on cement..