Emergency Water Storage

How much water do you actually need?

The standard rule from Ready.gov is one gallon per person, per day, for drinking and basic hygiene. Keep at least a 3-day supply, and aim for two weeks if you have the space. Add more for pets, hot weather, nursing mothers or anyone who is ill.

For a family of four, that’s 12 gallons for three days, or 56 gallons for two weeks.

How to choose a container

• Jugs and collapsible containers (2 to 7 gallons): easy to carry and fill, good for apartments and go-bags.
• Stackable 5-gallon containers: the sweet spot for most homes. Enough volume to matter, still light enough to lift.
• Barrels and drums (15 to 55 gallons): the most water for the floor space, but too heavy to move once full. Fill them where they’ll stay.
• Bathtub bladders: best for storms with a warning. Fill them right before the event instead of storing water all year.

Storage tips

• Use food-grade, BPA-free containers only. Never reuse milk jugs or anything that held chemicals.
• Store in a cool, dark place, away from gasoline, paint and cleaning products. Plastic can absorb fumes.
• Replace stored tap water every 6 months, unless you’ve treated it with a water preserver.
• Keep a way to purify water as a backup: tablets, a filter or the ability to boil.