Survive Without Running Water... Off-Grid Perilous Times! 

You're correct about Florida! I'm here in Central Florida with no electricity, but at least I have running water. Some have wells, so no running water until power is back on. Lots of people have been freaking out because of the curfews & restaurants or fast food places closed, so they have no food to eat. My plans are to learn how to can, so I can prepare meats. This has been a test for the preppers. Most people are less than 24 hrs away from going hungry. It's very sad. Please tag Florida in this video...

When my water froze for more than a month back in 1978 blizzard. I melted snow in buckets in the tub. Then I could do dishes. Then used old dish water to flush the toilet. A lot of sponge baths. Drinking water was made by boiling snow water. Quite a process. But it worked!

I grew up without running water carried every drop. You do not waste any of it1 We know what would have to be done if that happened again.

You are very fortunate to have men to help you out for free. That is a big reason to like living that way. God bless us with helpers in our lives.

Living in a developing country for eight years taught me just how luxurious hot running water is!

I grew up not having running hot water. We boiled water on the stove which was gas. Washed up in the morning took a bath and washed dishes.

Thanks Tessie just had a hurricane in Charleston, South Carolina. Thirty three years ago we had Hugo. I had no electricity or water for 30 days. we survived. thank you Jesus. Love you girl.

This was an amazing video Tessie. We truly do not know how blessed we are to have what we need always avaliable. You are so humble and share in honesty and truth. You are called by God for a reason to this platform and I am thankful from the bottom of my heart. Praying for your family and Lindsey especially as well!!! Blessings

We haul water, so we can have water. We have a 400 gallon tank on a trailer. We fill it up at a faucet 2 miles down the road and bring it home and pump it into a 400 gallon tank that feeds the house. My sister and I split the water bill for the faucet. We tried to drill a well that came up dry so that was $5000.00 wasted. The city water line stops 2 1/2 miles up the road. You learn not to waste water. That's how I have running water.

Hello Tessie, I love that you talk about things that a lot of Americans don’t even think about…. Like running water! Thanks for keeping it real Sister. 💕🙏 💕 🪴🐇😘❤️

Running water is very essential and I know how it feels not having water for months, and all what you said Tessie is very helpful and how to prepare for these challenges.

As a Floridian, yes there are plenty of people right now in my state without food, electricity, water, a home, a car ... it has all been washed away. We can try and prepare, but sometimes you just don't know ... but I agree the knowledge of what to do in some of these circumstances is smart and DOES help you have less anxiety about it.

I live in Iowa.About 2 years ago we had a dericho. It's a straight line high winds.I called it a hurricane in the Midwest. I didn't have electricity for 7days in About 90 degree heat. But thank God we had water. I found out quick that the electricy was important. But I don't know what I would have done without water. I'm in a wheel chair and stuck in my 2nd floor apartment for 7 days cos the elevator didn't work cos no electricity.

Hi Tessie, I pray your water is working now! Great Idea to get a rain barrel. God bless you. My husband is watching your video with me, he said you can put a hand pump also on your well and that can help also.

We pour our mop water down the toilet that way too. On Twitter someone said what a blessing being able to flush a toilet is...and that's so true! That makes a huge difference in every person's life. You would be such a wonderful emergency preparedness calling person in my Church💕

Such a timely message. Your resilience definitely helps you to get through these challenges. I am so glad you are able to get your water fixed, but it certainly makes one stop and think about the challenges we all could face. Having a plan in place is so necessary. Thanks for reminding us once again how anything is possible.

Tessie, I have city water here no wells so the water we have is very good not had any interruptions one thing I do is have water in jugs just in case I have rain barrel to just need to find a good way to filter the water I use it mainly for plant watering :-) I know well about blackouts been through many of them not fun but we were ready I once had to walk home from the city into Brooklyn it was a long walk and it was dark by the time I got home I am ready here in case of a black out :-) Good video :-) Love you my sister :-) God Bless you and Ken :-)

Happy Friday to you and yours Tessie ❤😊

In my family we have to survive without electricity four months because a hurricane, and believe me we appreciate now more what we have

Thank you, Tessie, for your valuable survival information. I am, however, concerned about how sheltered some of my young co-workers are. If something like this happens (no running water, electricity, etc.) for an extended period of time, they are going to have to grow up fast. A few years ago before I retired (I've since gone back part-time), they were absolutely horrified that I had no central air in my home. The truth of the matter is I could not afford to get the central air fixed at the time. So I was content to use electric fans. If I didn't have electricity at that time, I would have opened windows. Those kids couldn't believe it. I'm glad I was raised the good old fashioned way and don't depend on a lot of today's amenities.

For six months one year, I lived in a cabin without electricity, and no water hookup. But I had running water. I ran out to the well with a bucket and worked that pump handle.

Good blessings 🙏🏾❤️

I’ve been carrying our drinking water for years, just that is a lot of work. Can’t imagine what it would be like for the whole house! I pray that your water situation is resolved quickly, you have a great attitude! God bless you!

Hi Tessie, I basically grew up without running water and later indoor plumbing. We've always had electricity though. It was really tough, especially the social stigma.

Sending you love, Tessie. Hope your water is restored but this is such an important conversation

When my children were younger & we went up north in the winter, water was turned off. We had a large pail of water in the bathroom for flushing the toilet. I told the kids, when it's yellow it's mellow & when it's brown we flush it down ! Brought back fun memories.

Rain totes are a necessity! I'll never be without them again in my life! 💚🌞

I worry about not having water. We have a well, Electric out no water. I can't afford a rain barrel but I am going to get some gallons to fill. Nice video Tessie and so important. Praying for Florida.

Excellent video, Tessie! Very informative.

Hurricane, wildfire, mentally unstable neighbors are things that happen right now.

Very informative Tessie.Have a great evening.

We live off grid, we have solar and we love it. Our water well also has a solar pump and it only pumps when the sun is shining. We have a 3000 gallon tank that we pump too. It's gravity feed to our house. We live in the desert, our average rain fall is 8 inches for the year. Love your videos Tessie

Wouldn't you know it, Tessie, I accidentally erased my comment! (Maybe I did you and the internet a favor? 😀) But -- in short -- I was mentioning how really impressive this video was. Not only the helpful information, but the spirit of courage and creativity! It's definitely not fear-mongering to take note of the fact that so many people in the world are going through such difficult times now. Some people in the path of Hurricane Ian lost both homes and jobs in the space of just a day or so. Folks in Kentucky are still trying to rebuild from tremendous floods a few weeks ago. People in war zones are losing family members and being bombed out of their homes. Stock markets around the globe are reeling from sudden changes, and people in Europe are trying to figure out how they're going to stay warm this winter. So now more than ever calm voices (voices of experience)like yours are needed. That old expression: "Keep Calm and Carry On" is just what you're talking about here. You have decided that you're not going to give in to discouragement or bitterness. The other expression "Courage is Contagious" applies too. Your bravery and resilience help the rest of us to have confidence that we can make it through these times and whatever else comes our way! Thanks again, Tessie, for sharing your strength and especially your faith. 🙂

We have a 800 foot well f u ll of beautiful well water. But our pump has gone out. It's over 6000 dollars now to fix it. There's no way we can afford that yes we have city water on our property but it awful. I've been looking for a large enough hand pump to hook up to the piping to our well.... Oh my those are not cheap either! 😒

Thanks to wonderful people like you sharing your experience im not worried about the what ifs that come along i know someone has gone through it and was kind enough to share how to get through and I am learning to be more self sufficient and am grateful god bless

Love having a rain barrel! I even have 2 trash cans that I have catching rain water. I mostly use it to water my garden but it sure is nice knowing if things got really bad and we go through all that we have saved in jugs inside the house, I can boil and filter the rain water. Love your channel! Keep ‘em coming Tessie! ❤

There with u my home still needs a lot of work but I have to do little by little but I have a roof over my head.

Hi Tessie ❤

I use bottle water for ice trays. No running water in my house but just outside my door I've got city water. Sewer too.

Thank you Tessie for the blessings of your teaching~ You bring comfort with your kindness in helping others. Bless you Patty from Idaho

The little song in the beginning of this video is really cute. ❤️Sweet and peaceful.

People who tell you to replace all your plumbing has never paid a plumber! Everything is gonna be alright Tessie!!! Still cannot get over how beautifully black your soul is there. ❤️

It did happen to us... We had to replace our pump and water tank. We also had our old lead pipes replaced. Thank goodness we had an emergency savings account. I highly advise everyone to put money aside for emergencies. Skip that fast food, fancy coffee, new video game or fancy new phone, and put that money away for a rainy day. You never know what will happen in the future but count on it costing more than you expect.

Hi tessie! Praying 🙏 for you

It's always good to have different resources for water, lights and heat. Enjoying your videos Tessie.

It is important to know how to have a survival kit to a survival pantry. To know how to purify your water. Giving free advice that can help save people's life's is wonderful.

We have had days where there's been no power and we have no water. I do keep jugs in case of an emergency and I have my Alexa pure. When I lived at home we were a blended family of eight kids and we did go over 4 months without being able to use the septic. The home was only a few years old and the septic went bad and it was winter time so they had to wait till spring. We used a very tall old diaper pail and it was my job to help empty it. Couple years ago we did run into little over a year ago my sump pump going out and we couldn't use water in my basement. I couldn't do laundry. Everything was on halt so my daughter and I had to go get the pump and try to put it in. But I remember one time a wire and a pump or something at the bottom of our well pipe broke they had to lift the whole well pipe up and we had no water . It's times like that that you stop and think are we really ready for days like that ? So thank you for making this video and bringing awareness Tessie . Last year we actually did have a pipe break and I had all five of my grandkids here there were 10 people here for that day and we could use no toilet we only have one bathroom but we couldn't flush the toilet we couldn't let water go down the sink . I couldn't believe it and I thank the Lord there was a man that was able to come several hours later and do a fix until the following week so at least we could get back to some normality until the other part was done . I used to be able to do this with my kids when I was younger but boy the older you get it gets tough. I love your dress is very pretty. Each time you get something fixed and running better in your home I'm here celebrating and rejoicing and saying praise God. You have been long awaiting for things to be taken care of so I'm very thankful for you seeing some of those done. Your family is fantastic at working together I miss those days with my family they're all spread out. Last year I had to have some repairs done on my home and I'm frustrated because I didn't tell him to change one of the downspouts so I could put it into a rain catchment system so I'm going to have to see how I can do that. I miss when I could do things on my own boy when you have to hire someone or you just watch it not get done my oh my. Also people who have City Water don't realize that when you have your own septic and you have your own well if you don't have electricity you cannot use the water unless you have a hand pump. My sister and I are the only ones in our family line that don't have city water. There's bonuses to have in your own well I love it I'm not on a water restriction if my grandkids wanted to play in the water or water my garden. But if there's a storm and there's no power we don't have the generator that's what they would love to get I'm trying to do things a little by little like you do it takes a while. When I get frustrated that I'm waiting for something to get done I always think of you. And I think it's all going to work out it's just timing. God is good in it all. Your water catchment though amazing. One thing I was think about if someone had to take a shower to get one of those bags that you hang outside and put blankets around for privacy if it really got really bad I can see us doing that here. But we have when we haven't had power and some of my family need to shower they went to someone else's house if it was too many days. The longest we've gone without water is almost 4 days. I tend to be the one of my family line that thinks about the what ifs and that's why my goal is to get a generator down the road or some way to be able to charge up something solar or gas powered because if it wasn't my family maybe there's somebody else that something happens in their home and we could help. I have to watch your video about the catchment system cuz I think you said by the barrel being black or dark it keeps the water clean no algae or do you add things to it.?? Years ago we used to help a family that was less than 10 miles from us and they could not use her septic at all. When they took a bath the water ran out a pipe out in the yard. And they would do like the old days where they would share the same bath water. She would do her dishes into a bucket and fill it out the window. They had six kids. She did work at a laundromat for time and so they could do laundry there. But there were many times I would go over and just say give me all your laundry and I would do laundry for them fold it and bring it back all done. But you are having me think what happens if we all get hit like you're saying with situations and we can't be that help to someone because we are in the same situation. Much to think about you're having us think

We have 4 55 gallon rain barrels. We use the water for the garden. The water barrel has some green stuff - algae? so I would not drink it. Soon we will need to empty and place the barrels inside. It gets cold where we live.

I have never seen a counter top dishwasher. That is a cool idea.

Love your videos! Your positive outlook is contagious. Love it and how resourceful you are!

Great informative video, thank you!❤️

A really sensible and practical video, thank you Tessie. I love learning about the old ways because it’s quite possible we will need to use them. Blessings 🌸🌷

Solar is a very good idea. But those panels are expensive. I haven't had rain in months, but I think a rain barrel is a great idea. I am going to buy one of those barrels to put out at the chicken coop so I can have water for them.

You are right. This knowledge will come in handy.

Thank you for this type of education. I love everything you do and teach!!!!! Have a blessed week 😊

You are so encouraging tessie. Ty.

Thank you for caring and sharing ❤

Thanks for sharing Tessie! Blessings❣️❣️

We’ve dealt with water issues for years and will ultimately have to dig a new well. Fortunately we have a year-round spring on the hill that we’ve been able to tap into for watering our animals and gardens, and when the power goes out (which happens frequently) I collect it in buckets for washing, bathing, and flushing toilets. I have a propane stove too. We’re in the wet Pacific Northwest and also collect water in rain barrels like you :)

Thank you, Tessie! ❤

I love how you say that about food for thought about dealing with things that can't be fixed right away I understand completely

You are absolutely correct Tessie! Most people have no appreciation for the amenities they have nor are they aware people can be without for any number of reasons. My husband grew up with an outhouse and taking baths in galvanized tubs with water his mom heated on the gas stove. Now for this poor yet privileged (we had running water and indoor toilet) city girl, that was a shock because poor city life was different than poor rural country life. That was 49 years ago. Since then, I’m like you in that I have embraced the simple life. My mother in law was my inspiration. We do have running water, indoor plumbing etc but we have propane gas, rain barrels etc. We are preparing to reinstall our wood stove. One thing lacking are solar panels. I’m in hopes my husband will consider those soon. But we do have a generator for electric emergencies. We live in our small home we purchased 6 months after we married. We had 2 acres to start but have since purchased 10 more acres attached to our property. So we have 12 acres. I have standard size chickens and bantam chickens and raise our meat and eggs for ourselves, our kids' families and other close relatives. I have always gardened (my MIL helped me and taught me to can) and put up our food. We are now in our mid 60's. I get great satisfaction from growing and preserving our foods. Keep up the great lessons Tessie! 🥰

Excellent video Tessie! 🐾🥰

well said

Thank you for all you do!

Been there

Such an appropriate video for the times!! I save rainwater for my plants. Love watching you Tessie ❤️

This was very interesting...and B helpful to me ...thank you.

Thank You Tessie. Just Love 💕 Your Video s Keep on Going. That’s What We Need Too. do🤗💕🦋

I was growing up in the 50’s my parents duds so many ways of doing things! We heated the house with a kerosene stove which they cooked on and he did the house with! They didn’t have town water but were blessed with a well on the property! And the water got put into the house! Mamma heated water on the kerosene stove for bath! Later in the sixties and they were able to have the home remodelled with a brand-new kitchen bathroom and and a great heating system! I still remember all the harder times and know a lot of things that I could do in troubled times! Thanks for sharing !

Put a smile on your face, a song in your heart, and keep going. Blessings to All

Great information! We never know what can happen

I definitely always count my blessings. great video!

You are an awesome lady and the world needs ladies like you. Blessings to you and your family.

This was a very, very good teaching video!!! Thank you, dear Tessie!

Yep!! Be prepared ! If we don’t leave this world first we will be faced with hard times .

Been there twice in two weeks. First time the wire burned to the pump and this Tuesday the intake pipe corroded. Thankfully I got them fixed. Great teaching video.👍🇺🇸

Great video!

I understand everything you are saying. I lived this way growing up. No hot water, no water. We had a gas stove to heat water up. We had a rain barrel. Now I have it all but I can live with very little.

Tessie, you are an inspiration! And you are so right in all you said. There are a lot of "what ifs" in this life. We have to have grateful hearts every day. Great video! 👍

I bought a rain barrel because of you Tessie! Thank u! My son lives in Florida. I am so thankful to God that he is ok. God Bless!

A wonderful life there and thanks for the tips I live in a big city unfortunately...but I grew up in the country and I miss the country

We have a "bucket compost toilet system" set up on one of our sheds in case of emergencies. I have a wood shop so I always have plenty of saw dust.

Tessie, I bought a tabletop distiller that`s electric. I bought the Air Still from New Zealand because unlike common tabletop water distillers that use 750 watts this one only uses 350 in order to be able to effectively distill alcohol and the lower wattage is a match for four of my solar power stations. But after buying it I was able to get a large 300 ah Ampere Time LiFeP04 battery, 2000w inverter, and 60 amp MPPT solar charge controller with money I had left over after moving and putting a good roof over my camper, so I`ll get one of the higher wattage water distillers soon because they work faster. I can distill water to drink from the creek in the woods nearby. My roof air condtioner creates condensation that drips off the back of my camper. I put my garden wagon under it to catch the water to use in my indoor hydro gardens. But I do need to get a water barrel. I have very little money coming in though on SSI disability now that my savings are gone. So I have to carefully think about what I need the most when I shop now, and usually that`s emergency foods. But it`s so expensive now. Powdered milk, eggs, butter, cream, and even flour and cornmeal are so expensive to order. But I have no transportation and I`m very far from stores in an extremely isolated rural area. Prepping is crucial and a very serious life or death matter for me. My latest amazing prepping buy was a 600 watt bucket immersion water heater. I have no water heater in my camper. With this I can fill a 5 gal bucket in my bathtub, plug in the bucket heater, and in about 10-15 minutes the water is warm enough to bath using a large cup to pour water over me. My large battery can be used to power my electric tiller, my mower, cooking, the water heater, and can even power my tiny window air conditioner on full blast for at least seven hours or all day if the sun is shining and 6 to 7 hours after dark. It can also power my oil heater on 600w setting for up to 6 hours and much more if the thermostat is set or it`s put on a timer to cut on for 15 minutes per hour just to keep it from getting freezing cold. It`s such a blessing to have my own electricity for emergencies and I still can`t believe my dream of having solar power someday actually came true! I`m so glad you were able to get some solar power too. Bless you! You`re an inspiration and blessing to so many people around the world. It needs a lot more like you.

I imagine it's a slower more authentic way of life, more work too. Of course it involves major changes to the cushioned lifestyles we have been accustomed too. I'm sorry that some people feel the need to hide that they live a life without certainly services we take for granted for fear of judgement. The people that do have them certainly aren't any better as human beings just because they have them. For some people it might be a conscious, deliberate choice. I have very sensitive senses and electric lighting and heating can actually be a big problem at times. This was an excellent video, thank you. 😊💕

I wish I could have a rain barrel however I live in Northern California and we don’t get rain much the last three years has been very dry. We are in a serious drought 😢. What a wonderful blessing to have rain ✝️🙏🏻♥️

We are having solars put on next week

Hey my friend… Happy Friday Tessie…….

I love your dress.

Oh Tessie, my heart is breaking for you! 💔 I’m so sorry you have to live like this! 😢 ⛈ you are too good of a person to have to deal with it all, washing your hair with that dirty old water! I’m saying prayers that your water is fixed soon and you can go back to normal life! You have such a good attitude and are an inspiration to us all 🙏🥺 love ya girl ❣️💝 hang in there 💪🦋🌈

I have a rain barrel thanks to Tessie!

Thank you Tessie for showing those who don’t know several of the things you shared. The water co had to shut down a large area for 2 days as they were putting in a new well ever since I have kept 15 gallons of water on hand to cook, toilets,and pets. I live 1 1/2 miles from a big lake I am trying to save for a Berkeley with several extra filters just incase we are stuck with months no water.

Good evening Tessie

I have three rain barrels. Emptied them and brought in for winter. Took in basement and filled with water. I use bucket when I need water and boil and filter thru Alexapro if needed.

You're a strong woman Tessie a real pioneer

Good afternoon Tessie

You sure have all that right. Years ago, when we first moved to the country, there was a blizzard and we were without power for almost 2 weeks. We were snowed in plus there were trees down all over the roads. All we had was a fireplace and it was not easy, especially since we had 12 dogs at the time. Now there's a generator, extra fuel, woodstove and woodpile, headlamps, candles, extra food and water, etc. My battery run headlamp was one of my best investments. But there are still quite a few things I'd like to get, and you can never have too much water and food. I'm concerned about how things are going too. We all have a lot to think about, learn, and do. No body I know is interested in these things so meeting like minded people on You Tube is a comfort. Glad you got your water fixed, Tessie. And thanks for the inspiring videos. I think all those years of learning to do things the old fashioned way are going to pay off and you'll be able to handle any hard times that come like a boss 😊

There's video making shallow well using a hammer. Here 70380 water is less than a foot down.

Tessie ive never seen a well tank in the ground but it makes sense atleast lightning want strike it happened alot in south ga we barrel full of water and I have juds full of water in refrigerator so I’m ready for anything I can take cold better than hot weather tyfs hugs and prayers .

My neighbor goes and gets water in town, has solar power and an outhouse. Does her laundry in town and buries her trash. She’s lived that way for many years.