WATER: VITAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Here are some important drinking water safety points to keep in mind, and an overview of what is available in the Reno area.
The bottom line: 1.5 gallons of water per day per person.
Now a few words of caution:First, on using used containers: even if the container is rated as "food grade" and you thoroughly clean and disinfect it, there is still a high probability that there will remain a taste from the previous contents. Keep in mind that if your water tastes crappy, you will be less likely to drink it and will risk dehydration (which can lead to serious injury, even death). It is highly recommended that if you do bring water in used containers that you use that as utility water for cleaning and bathing, running mister systems, and such, and keep your drinking (and cooking) water only in new containers.
Second, never use garbage bags to store drinking water. The lining of garbage bags is usually impregnated with chemicals that retard spoilage and suppress odors, and are not safe for human consumption.
Third, keep your water bottles out of direct sunlight and away from strong odors. Sunlight is energetic enough to cause chemical reactions in the bottle's plastic, imparting unpleasant odors and tastes to the water. Also, if there is anything in the water, like bacteria or algae, the sunlight will foster growth, which could cause illness as well as bad taste. Keep in mind that the "milk jug" style plastic (polyethylene) breaths, allowing outside air to reach your water. Do not store your bottles near any chemicals or other things with strong odors -- don't store in a box next to a bag of onions unless you like onion flavored water!
And lastly, store your empty bottles with the caps loose or off. The desert heat can make the air in the bottle expand and alter the bottle's shape (round bottom or ruined handles) and can even split the seams.
Where to get water in Reno and Sparks?
Reno and Sparks lay in a basin called the Truckee Meadows, an area of former wetlands through which flows the Truckee River. There are currently two establishments in the Truckee Meadows devoted exclusively to water and water products, both in Reno: Simply Water is in the south-central part of town, near the airport off of US-395, and Crystal Springs Water Co., just south of downtown. Additionally, the Save Mart on Keystone Avenue in West Reno will also have a large-scale Aquafill water-dispensing operation during Burning Man, and a variety of your other water needs can be met onsite.
If you are driving through Reno on I-80, then the Save Mart at Exit 12 on Keystone Avenue may be your best option. Simply Water used to be located in the same shopping center as this supermarket (formerly known as Albertsons), and the two companies, both very popular among burners, coordinated closely in order to meet the water needs of many burners shopping through on their way to the playa. With the move of Simply Water across town (see below), beginning in 2008 Save Mart is coordinating with Aqua Fill Water 2 Ice to now meet this convenience for you. Water purified through reverse osmosis ("r/o") at 35 cents a gallon will be housed in a mobile water station in the parking lot, with various taps and hoses to fill any-sized container, including your RV. Aqua Fill vending machines will also be available inside the store for smaller containers. Save Mart will also have 15 and 55-gallon water barrels available, pumps and spigots, and of course plenty of bulk water in 2.5 and 5 gallon sizes.
Crystal Springs Water Co is built over an artesian well. Their well water is purified with reverse osmoses and then a formula of minerals is added back into the water. If you bring your own containers you can fill them up at their coin operated vending machines at 40 cents per gallon. You can also get distilled water from these machines. These machines are outside, perfect for folks who arrive after business hours.
From the airport (or US 395) take Plumb Lane west to Virginia Street then head north on Virginia to the "Y" intersection with Center Street. Turn right onto Center and they are up about a block on the left. From I-80 take the Virginia Street exit and head south through Downtown Reno. Cross the Truckee River and go about 10 more blocks to Taylor Street. Turn left on Taylor and they will be on the corner at Center. For maps, or if you are looking for something else in the area, please check out both the Downtown and Plumb shopping hubs of the Preparation – Reno Pages.
Formerly on Keystone Avenue in west Reno, Simply Water Company has moved, and is now near the Reno-Tahoe International Airport off US-395. Water is purified by reverse osmosis ("r/o") but without the mineral additives used by Crystal Springs to "flavor" their water. Crystal Springs drinking water runs about 44 parts per million (ppm) total dissolved solids (tds) and and their steam distilled water is 0. Like Crystal Springs, Simply Water also sells their water for 40 cents per gallon, and is able to fill any sized container – even your RV. Keep in mind water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon. If you are planning to transport a lot of water, be sure your vehicle is up to it!
Simply Water stocks a wide variety of bottles and jugs in sizes from 1/2 liter, 1 liter and 1 1/2 liter, and 1/2 gallon, 1, 2, 3 & 5 gallon. Prices vary with size, style and type of plastic used in their construction. Simply Water may have some containers larger than 5 gallons available - call or email your request.
Simply Water is also another very enthusiastic supporter of Burning Man. For the last few years the store remains open extra hours to accommodate Burners, and expect to do so again this year. But it is recommended to call ahead for hours, just in case!
Simply Water is at 1070 Gentry Way, right next to US-395 and the airport, in the south-central part of Reno. From US-395, take the Moana Lane exit. If travelling southbound, turn left on Moana. At the next stop-light, turn left on Neil Road. Neil Road will soon then turn left into Gentry Way, and Simply Water will be on your left. Or if you flown in and are exiting from the Airport, turn left on Terminal Way, and down about ¾ mile, past the rental car agencies, past the airport, Terminal Way will run right into Gentry Way and Simply Water. Their Summer hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, and 11:00 am to 5:00 Sunday, however, they will be staying open until at least 9 pm or later for Burning Man. For maps and also to see what else may be of interest in the area, please check out the Moana or Plumb shopping hubs in the Preparation – Reno Pages.
For containers larger than 5 gallons, such as barrels, you can go to several of the Save Mart supermarkets, and Twin City Surplus.
Twin City Surplus, a.k.a. "The Big Red Barn" is midway between Reno and Sparks at 1675 E. 4th Street, not far from the Grand Sierra Resort. From I-80 take the east 4th Street exit (the first exit east of the junction of I-80 and US 395) and turn west on 4th Street. They try to keep 20, 30 and 55 gallon sizes, both new and used "food grade" containers, in stock for Burning Man. As they are a surplus store, their prices and stock on hand changes constantly. They also have just about every kind of camping and adventure gear and military surplus you can imagine - tents, tarps and parachutes are a specialty. They're not cheap, but neither are any of the other sporting goods stores in this area. If you don't like waiting in line for the portapotties at Burning Man, pick up your camp toilets here.
All of the Save Marts in Reno-Sparks provide 15 and 55 gallon water barrels, spigots and pumps, as well as bulk water in 2.5 and 5 gallon sizes. As noted above, the Save Mart on Keystone will also have a large scale Aqua Fill water operation onsite for filling any capacity. However, all the Save Marts also have Aqua Fill vending machines for filling smaller containers. For a full listing of Save Marts in the area, check out the Grocery Store listings in the Preparation – Reno pages.
There are several sporting goods stores in the area, such as REI, Big 5 and Mark, Fore and Strike. Sierra Trading Post sells new clothing and gear at outlet prices. Many stores sell Camelbak products; for the complete line, including parts and accessories, check out Reno Mountain Sports on Moana Lane. There are several specialty and health food retailers, the most popular being Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Whole Foods has a (very slow) Culligan water vending machine in the store with r/o water at 39 cents per gallon.
There is also a great alternative to plastic bottled water called BIOTA. It comes in a corn-based bottle that has all the characteristics of plastic but will biodegrade in 80 days without any harmful effects to the environment. Although studies on the leaching properties of toxics from plastics (i.e. PET) may be inconclusive at this time, we know that BIOTA's corn-based bottle is 100% safe, especially when used/reused under extreme conditions. BIOTA is available in 12oz., 1/2 liter, and full liter sizes at many natural and health food stores throughout California and Nevada including: Rainbow Grocery, Whole Foods, Raley's, New Leaf Community Markets and Better Nutrition stores. For a complete listing of locations, visit biotaspringwater.com. For further shopping options in Reno-Sparks, visit our Reno pages.
Contact:
Crystal Springs/Sparkletts Water Co., 901 S. Center Street, Reno, NV 89501
voice: 775 337-8111
mikeycadena (at) yahoo (dot) com
