Emergency Water Storage: How Much Your Family Needs and How to Store It
Ready.gov's baseline is 1 gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation, for several days (Ready.gov: Water). Children, nursing mothers, sick people, and hot climates need more.
Quick table (1 gal/person/day)
| Household | 3 days | 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | 6 gal | 28 gal |
| 4 people | 12 gal | 56 gal |
| 6 people | 18 gal | 84 gal |
Add water for pets: ask your vet; a rough rule many vets give is about 1 ounce per pound of body weight per day.
How to store it
- Store-bought sealed water is the simplest. Keep it in a cool, dark place and follow the use-by date.
- If you fill your own containers, the CDC describes cleaning and sanitizing food-grade containers before use (CDC: Emergency Water Supply). Replace self-filled water about every 6 months.
- Never use containers that held chemicals. Keep stored water away from gasoline and pesticides.
Filters vs purifiers
A filter removes bacteria and protozoa, and some models remove microplastics. A purifier also handles viruses. For tap water during a boil-water notice, follow your local utility's instructions first. If you can't boil water, the CDC explains disinfection with unscented household bleach (CDC: Making Water Safe).
Portable filters are a useful backup, not a replacement for stored water. Options we plan to cover once approved: LifeStraw family and personal filters [LINK-PENDING: LifeStraw (Impact)], Survival Frog water storage [LINK-PENDING: Survival Frog (Awin)].