How to Store Water for Emergencies: A Complete Guide
Updated 2026-04-04 00:00:00 +0000 UTC
Water is the one thing you cannot go without. After a major earthquake, flood, or extended power outage, tap water may be unavailable or unsafe for days. This guide covers how much to store, what to store it in, and how to make water safe to drink when your supply runs low.
How Much Water Do You Need?
The standard recommendation is 1 gallon per person per day. That covers drinking and basic sanitation.
For a realistic 2-week supply:
| Household size | 72-hour supply | 2-week supply |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 gallons | 14 gallons |
| 2 people | 6 gallons | 28 gallons |
| 4 people | 12 gallons | 56 gallons |
Increase these amounts if you have:
- Pets (add 1 quart per small dog per day, more for large dogs)
- Infants or nursing mothers
- Someone with a medical condition that increases fluid needs
- Hot climate or physical labor planned
Container Options
Commercial bottled water
The easiest option. Already sealed, already treated, has an expiration date printed on it. Buy a few cases and rotate every 1 to 2 years. Not the cheapest per gallon, but requires zero effort.
Food-grade water containers (5 to 7 gallon)
Rigid plastic jugs designed for water storage. Look for the recycling symbol with HDPE (2) or PETE (1). Do not use milk jugs. They break down quickly and are nearly impossible to fully clean.
1. 5-Gallon Water Container — Best for Home Storage
BPA-free food-grade container with a built-in handle and spigot. Easy to fill, easy to use.
- 5-gallon capacity
- BPA-free HDPE plastic
- Stackable design with wide-mouth fill cap
WaterBOB bathtub bladder
A large plastic bladder that fits in a standard bathtub and holds up to 100 gallons. Fill it as soon as a storm or emergency is announced. It takes about 20 minutes to fill and keeps water clean for up to 4 weeks.
This is one of the best options for a family. A single WaterBOB gives you more than a week of water for four people with almost no storage footprint when not in use.
2. WaterBOB Emergency Bathtub Water Storage — Best Large-Volume Option
Holds up to 100 gallons in a standard bathtub. Single use, but stores flat until needed.
- 100-gallon capacity
- Keeps water clean for up to 4 weeks
- Includes hand pump for dispensing
- Stores flat, takes up almost no space
Storing Tap Water
You can store tap water from the faucet. Here is how to do it safely:
- Use clean, food-grade containers. Wash with dish soap and rinse thoroughly.
- Fill directly from the tap. If your tap water is treated with chlorine (most municipal water is), no additional treatment is needed.
- Seal tightly and label with the fill date.
- Store in a cool, dark place away from gasoline, paint, or cleaning products. These can leach through plastic over time.
How Long Does Stored Water Last?
Commercially bottled water: 1 to 2 years (follow the printed date) Tap water in clean sealed containers: 6 months to 1 year WaterBOB or similar bladder: up to 4 weeks
The water does not go bad in the way food does. What changes is taste and the chance of contamination from the container or environment. Replacing your supply every 6 to 12 months is a safe practice.
Water Treatment Options
If your stored supply runs out or you need to use water from an unknown source, you have several options.
Boiling
The most reliable method. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 feet elevation). Let cool before drinking. Does not remove chemical contamination.
Purification tablets
Aquatabs are a compact, inexpensive option for treating water in an emergency. Drop one tablet into a liter of clear water, wait 30 minutes, and drink.
3. Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets — Best Purification Tablets
Each tablet treats 1 liter of water. Kills bacteria, viruses, and Giardia. Compact enough to carry anywhere.
- 100 tablets per pack
- Each tablet treats 1 liter of water
- 30-minute treatment time
- 5-year shelf life
Filtration
A water filter removes bacteria and parasites but does not kill viruses (in most cases). The Sawyer MINI is one of the most popular filters for emergency kits. It is small, cheap, and rated for 100,000 gallons.
4. Sawyer Products MINI Water Filtration System — Best Compact Filter
Filters up to 100,000 gallons. Works inline with hydration packs or as a straw filter.
- Removes 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.9999% of protozoa
- Rated for 100,000 gallons
- Weighs just 2 oz
- Backwashable for longer life
Putting It Together
A complete water plan has three layers:
- Stored supply: Enough for at least 72 hours, ideally 2 weeks. Use commercial bottles, food-grade jugs, or a WaterBOB.
- Backup treatment: Purification tablets or a filter for when your stored supply is gone.
- Knowledge: Know where your nearest water sources are (lakes, streams, community distribution points) and how to treat water from them.
Most people skip step 2 and 3. Do not. Stored water runs out faster than you expect when a real emergency hits.