How Much Emergency Water Your Home Needs

Emergencies can happen when you least expect them, including those that impact your family’s access to clean drinking water. Storing an emergency water supply in your home ensures that you’ll have what you need for drinking, cooking, and hygiene in the event of a disruption to your normal water source—and it can be a lifesaver in a crisis situation. But how much emergency water should you store? And what’s the best way to store it?

Below, we’re covering the basics of emergency water storage for homeowners. Read up on what you need to know, then make a plan for getting and storing what you need.

Why you need an emergency water supply

Many people will go their entire lives without facing the sort of crisis that warrants an emergency water supply. But if and when an emergency situation happens, having access to potable water can make all the difference in your ability to see your way through, particularly in the days (or weeks) before disaster relief organizations are able to offer widespread resources.

Storing emergency water at home is one of the best safeguards that you can put in place for your family. It’s also one of the easiest. Make sure that you have enough for each member of your household, and stock up on other types of emergency supplies as needed as well.

How much emergency water do you need?

So, how much emergency water should you have available?

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to store at least one gallon of water per person in your household per day, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with enough to last you a minimum of three days—though enough for two weeks is even better.

Children, nursing or pregnant individuals, and individuals with certain medical conditions may require more water, and don’t forget to account for pets too.

Other instances where you may want to store more than the minimum emergency water recommendation are if you live in a hot climate, or if you live in a remote area.

Figuring out exactly how much emergency water you need is just as crucial as having a supply available in the first place. Keep in mind that your emergency water supply is for drinking, as well as for things like cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene, so it’s key that you have enough.

How to store emergency water

Proper storage of your home’s emergency water supply depends on the type of water and container that you use.

    • Non-store-bought water, such as water that you gather from your tap, should be stored in FDA-approved food-grade water storage containers with tightly sealed lids. According to the CDC, you should replace any non-store-bought water every six months, provided you do not treat the water with preservation drops, which can prevent the growth of bacteria and algae for up to five years.
    • Commercially bottled water can be stored in its original container for up to one to two years, depending on the expiration date noted on the package. If you store it in optimal conditions, you can drink it much longer than that.
    • Survival water pouches, which are readily available online, often have an extended shelf life of up to five years. If you go this route, make sure to look for high-quality pouches, such as those with approval from the U.S. Coast Guard.

    Note that water must be stored in a temperature controlled environment that’s kept between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It should also be kept out of direct sunlight and away from toxic substances like gasoline or pesticides.

    Other ways to ensure water in an emergency

    While keeping an emergency water supply is your best bet in the event of an emergency, it’s not your only option for accessing potable water. As an alternative—or as a supplementary method—you may want to consider these options as well.

    Water filter

    A portable water filter such as a LifeStraw can be used to quickly remove bacteria and parasitic protozoa from water sources, including rivers and sea water. However, they can’t filter out everything, including potentially harmful chemicals.

    Bathtub bag

    It’s a popular recommendation to fill up your bathtub with water when you know that a crisis is looming. But most bathtubs either aren’t cleaned regularly or are cleaned with chemicals. They’re also open and exposed to the air around them, all of which makes bathtub water not so ideal to drink.

    One workaround you can use is to purchase a bathtub bag, such as the waterBOB. These are large, heavy-duty plastic bags shaped to fit in a standard bathtub, and they can hold up to 100 gallons of water directly from your tub’s tap.

    Purification tablets

    If you’ve ever gone backpacking, then you’re probably familiar with using purification tablets made from iodine, chlorine, or chlorine dioxide to treat your water and ensure it’s safe to drink. You can use these tablets at home too in the event of a water disruption event.

    Stove boiling

    A final option is to boil water on the stove as a means to purify it and remove microbes. This might not always be possible though, such as in a situation where your electricity has gone out and you only have an electric stove. (You could keep a small, fuel-based stove near your emergency supplies if you’re worried about that scenario.)

    Answers to common questions about storing emergency water

    Knowing how much emergency water you need for your home and how to store it properly is important, but you might still be left wondering about some other specifics. Here are quick answers to some of the most frequently asked questions homeowners have about storing water for emergencies.

    Can you store tap water for emergencies?

    Yes, but it needs to be in a safe container. Opt for water storage barrels or sanitized plastic, glass, or fiberglass bottles. Never store tap water in a container that was previously used to store a toxic substance, such as bleach or other cleaning supplies.

    Does bottled water go bad?

    It depends. Water does not technically expire, though most bottled water packages will have a “best by” or expiration date on them. So long as bottled water is properly stored (meaning in a cool and dark location with the lid completely sealed) you can safely drink it after that printed date.

    Does boiled water go bad?

    If you boil a bunch of water for your emergency water supply you can safely store it for up to six months cooled or at room temperature, so long as you’re following safe storage practices.

    What is the best container to store water in?

    The ideal container for long-term water storage is an FDA-approved food-grade water container. These are made from polyethylene-based plastics and are designed to protect your emergency water supply from UV rays and contaminants.

    How do you sanitize water containers?

    The CDC recommends sanitizing containers before filling them up with your emergency supply of water. To do so, wash the container thoroughly with a mild dish soap and rinse with water. Then make a sanitization solution by combining one teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach (make sure it contains 5% to 9% sodium hypochlorite) and one quart of water. Pour the mixture into your container and shake; then let sit for at least 30 seconds. Pour the solution out and let the container air dry completely before pouring your potable water in.

    Additional emergency supplies to keep on hand

    The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) has an extensive checklist of items that you should consider storing at home in addition to your emergency water supply. Here are some of the big items that you’ll want to have available and ready to go:

      • A few days’ worth of non-perishable food items (protein- and/or calorie-heavy foods like nuts and nut butters, canned tuna, canned beans, and protein bars are a good place to start; make sure to keep a can opener handy, too)
      • Extra cell phone batteries or chargers
      • Flashlight and batteries
      • First aid kit
      • Whistle
      • Face mask(s)
      • Local map
      • Hygiene items like wet wipes and garbage bags
      • Non-sparking wrench or pliers

      Other items to consider include copies of essential documents, an extra pair of eyeglasses, medications, sleeping bags, and cash. Depending on your situation, you may also need additional things like formula, bottles, and diapers, and/or pet food and pet supplies.

      It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to emergency supplies. Figure out what you need and store your items in an accessible and temperature controlled area of your home. While you may never need them—and you ideally won’t—you’ll be glad you have them if disaster strikes.