How much water to store for an emergency
The CDC says to store at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day, for 3 days, and a 2-week supply if you can. That gallon covers drinking, cooking and brushing teeth, so store more for hot weather, pregnancy, illness and pets.
- Work out your total
- Choosing containers
- How to clean and fill a container
- Where to keep it and how often to change it
- Gear
Work out your total
1 gallon per person per day, from the CDC. Weight uses about 8.3 lb per gallon, from Oregon's Office of Emergency Management. Add extra for pets and hot weather.
Choosing containers
Unopened, store-bought bottled water is the safest option, according to the CDC. If you are filling your own:
- Use food-grade containers. Camping and surplus stores sell them.
- If a container is not food-grade, it needs a tight lid, must be unbreakable (no glass), and ideally has a narrow neck for pouring.
- Never reuse anything that held bleach, pesticides or other chemicals.
How to clean and fill a container
- Wash it with soap and rinse well.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of unscented bleach into 1 quart (4 cups) of water.
- Pour it in, close the lid, and shake so it touches every inside surface.
- Wait at least 30 seconds, pour it out, and let the container air-dry.
- Fill with clean tap water and seal it tight.
Steps from the CDC.
Where to keep it and how often to change it
- Label each container "drinking water" with the date you filled it.
- Replace it every 6 months.
- Keep it somewhere cool (50°F to 70°F), out of sunlight, and away from gasoline and pesticides.
- Use a clean scoop each time. Do not put your hands in the water.
All from the CDC. Water is heavy at about 8.3 lb per gallon (Oregon OEM), so store it where you can still lift and move it.
Common mistakes
- Storing only 3 days' worth. The CDC calls 3 days the minimum and 2 weeks the goal.
- Using old milk jugs or anything that held chemicals.
- Keeping water in a hot garage next to fuel cans.
- Forgetting to rotate it. Mark a date and change it every 6 months.
- Filling one huge drum you cannot move or tip once it is full.
Gear for this
Links go to Amazon search results so you can compare current prices and reviews. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Food-grade 5 to 7 gallon water jugs
Big enough to matter, small enough to lift. Look for BPA-free and a screw cap.
Stackable water bricks
Fit under beds and in closets when space is tight.
Drinking water safe siphon or spigot
Lets you pour from a big container without dipping hands or cups in.
Unscented bleach
For cleaning containers and treating water. Keep a bottle with your water, as the CDC advises.
Questions people ask
How much water should I store per person?
At least 1 gallon per person per day. The CDC sets 3 days as the minimum and 2 weeks as the target, so 3 to 14 gallons each.
How long does stored tap water last?
The CDC says to replace stored water every 6 months.
Can I store water in milk jugs?
The CDC says to use food-grade containers with tight lids. Milk jugs are hard to clean and their lids are not tight.
Sources
Related entries
- W-01How to make water safe to drink in an emergencyBoil it, bleach it, or filter and treat it. Exact amounts from the CDC.
- D-01Hurricane emergency kit checklistThe FEMA kit list as a tick-off checklist, plus the hurricane rules that keep people alive.
General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.