Emergency Water Storage and Preparation

In emergencies, access to clean drinking water can mean the difference between survival and peril. A person can only live 3 days without water. Water is essential for drinking, cooking, hygiene, and sanitation. Here's a guide on how to effectively store, filter, and purify water to prepare for unforeseen situations.

 

Why Do You Need To Store Water?

There are so many potential situations that could cause you to need stored water. As a kid I remember the city finding a dead raccoon in the water tank that supplied water to the entire city and we were not allowed to drink the water for a week, due to E. coli. If we wanted to drink the water or use it for cooking or to brush our teeth, then we had purified it in some way. As a young adult I had a single friend living in an apartment complex that had a faulty water line. She was without water for 4 days. As a mom I've had the experience of being without water due to construction in the area that had to shut off water for the entire neighborhood. Sometimes we think that water preparation is only needed if there's a major disaster, but there are so many situations in which having clean drinking water on hand would be super helpful, and at times necessary.

 

How Much Water Should You Store?

In short the answer is that you should store as much water as you can. The general recommendation among government agencies is to store at least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of two weeks. However, if you consider all that you have to do with it (drinking, cooking, cleaning, bathing, dishes, laundry, etc…) one gallon per person is not going to be sufficient. You will be able to survive for those 2 weeks, but it will not be easy or comfortable. Some people recommend 3 gallons per person per day. My recommendation is that you set a goal for your family and your needs and aim to hit that goal. The goal I've set for my family is 2 gallons of water per person per day for 3 months. Why 3 months? In extended emergencies, we are talking about 7.0 earthquakes, hurricanes like Katrina (2005) or Helene (2024), etc…in these types of major disasters water would not be available in 2 weeks. It would be many months before the plumbing and water systems would be usable again. So, my goal for my family is 3 months because where I live my hope is that within those 3 months it will either rain or snow and I can collect more water, but this also means that I need a rain water collection system of some sort. 

I know that you’ve gotten out your calculator and have figured out how much that would be for your family. More than likely you are staring at that number and thinking, “how in the world am I going to store that much water?” Do not allow the amount or the lack of know how to overwhelm you and stop you from storing water. In an emergency, if you have water and you haven't treated it properly that's OK. You can treat it when you need it, but if you didn't store any then you're going to be in a world of hurt. Any amount is better than none. If space allows, aim for more storage to cover extended emergencies. Consider additional water for pets or individuals with special needs, but start with your goal to be the minimum of 1 gallon of water per person per day for 14 days. If you’ve already got that then set a new goal to increase your water storage or work on collecting some of the other water storage prep items mentioned further down in this article.

Helpful tip: When considering the amount of water that you need don't forget about your water heater. How much water does your water heater hold? You can count that water as storage as long as you know how to get water out of it. This is a good reason to never get a tankless water heater because a tankless water heater can’t double as water storage.

How to Store Water

Proper storage ensures your water remains clean and safe for use. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Choose the Right Containers: Use food-grade plastic containers or containers specifically designed for water storage. Glass containers are acceptable if sanitized but must be stored carefully to avoid breakage. Avoid reusing milk jugs (they degrade over time) or containers that previously held chemicals.

Helpful tip: If you want to use a large water tank (ie 55+ gallons), you can find them significantly cheaper used in marketplaces or in classifieds. If getting them used be sure that they have not been stored outside, contained any chemicals, and are in good shape. I was able to get a 500 gallon water tank listed on Facebook marketplace for cheaper than a new 275 gallon tank.

2. Sanitize Containers Before Use: Wash thoroughly with soap and water. Sanitize with a solution of 1 teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water. Rinse well.

3. Fill and Seal Properly: Use clean, potable water. If you are getting water from your city municipal water source then the water has already been treated and you do not need to treat it. If using well water, or other water that had not been treated, add unscented liquid household chlorine bleach (5–6% concentration) to protect against bacteria. Use 1/8 teaspoon per gallon if water is clear. Seal containers tightly to prevent contamination.

4. Label and Date: Clearly label each container with the storage date. Replace non-commercially bottled water every six months.

Helpful tip: If you don’t replace your water every 6 months, that’s ok, just know that you will want to boil it or treat it before using it.

Where to Store Water

Selecting the right location is crucial for preserving water quality:

Cool, Dark Place: Protect containers from direct sunlight and temperature extremes, which can degrade plastic and promote algae growth. This means that you most likely do not want to store your containers outside because they’ll get sun and be exposed to heat and/or freezing temperatures. 

Helpful tip: If outside is the only place you can store them (because any stored water no matter where it is is better than no water), cover your containers with a tarp or something that will not let sunlight through. Do not fill the containers all the way if you’re in an area that experiences freezing temperatures because water expands as it freezes and it will burst your container. This goes for any water that you store in your vehicle as well.

Off the Ground: Store on pallets or shelves to prevent potential chemical contamination from concrete floors.

Accessible During Emergencies: Ensure water is easy to retrieve, even in scenarios like power outages or evacuation.

Avoid Hazard Zones: Keep water away from chemicals, gasoline, pesticides, and other hazardous materials.

Helpful tip: If you have glass jars for canning, you can fill your empty ones with water, just be sure that they are secured so that they can not fall off the shelf in an earthquake and shatter.

If you like in an apartment or small space and large amounts of water is not an option, do the best you can. Start with the goal of 1 gallon of water per person per day for 14 days. Store them anywhere you can (ie closets, shelves, under beds or couches, etc…) Storing water in the trunk of your car is an option as well, just make sure that it is secured and not filled all the way in case it freezes.

How to Filter and Purify Water

In emergencies, stored water might not be sufficient. Here’s how to make questionable water safe for consumption:

Filtration

Filtration removes debris, sediment, and some contaminants. Common methods include:

Portable Water Filters: Lightweight and effective for removing bacteria and protozoa. These include gravity fed water filters for multiple people to use, or individual filters like water bottle filters or straw filters. Look for filters that filter to at least 0.2 microns or smaller.

DIY Filters: Layer gravel, sand, and charcoal in a container to remove large particles.

Helpful tip: Do not purchase used filters unless the filter within the device can easily be replaced and you can purchase new filters to put in it. Filters can only be used to filter so many gallons before they are no longer effective, and you do not want to purchase and use a used filter that is no longer effective. 

Purification

Purification eliminates harmful microorganisms and makes water drinkable:

1. Boiling: Bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes at altitudes above 6,500 feet). Cool and store in clean containers.

2. Chemical Treatment: Use unscented chlorine bleach: Add 8 drops per gallon (16 if water is cloudy). Stir and let sit for 30 minutes. Iodine or water purification tablets are an alternative; follow package instructions.

3. UV Light Sterilization: Use portable UV purifiers to kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

4. Distillation: For heavily contaminated water, boil it and collect the steam, leaving impurities behind.

Comprehensive Water Preparation

In order to be prepared for whatever may come your way you will want to layer your preparation. Just having water is not sufficient, you will want a filter, a container to collect water if you need to go get it from a lake or river, a way to boil or purify your water, a way to collect rain or snow, and you’ll want to send a water bottle with your kids to school, and take one with you to work. By having multiple layers to your water storage and preparation you will be ready for whatever comes your way.

Additional Tips

Rotate Stock: Periodically replace stored water to maintain freshness.

Keep a Backup System: Consider rain barrels, well pumps, or water collection devices for long-term emergencies.

Learn Local Water Sources: Identify nearby lakes, rivers, or streams as potential sources for filtration and purification.

If you know that the water will be out or potentially disrupted (e.g. construction, hurricane), fill your bathtub with water. You can use this water to flush toilets, wash dishes or any number of other things. Don't drink it unless you purify it first.

Fill gallon Ziplock freezer bags with water and lay them flat in your freezer. These will freeze and help keep everything in your freezer frozen longer in the event that the power goes out. Once it melts you have clean water to drink.

Atmospheric Water Generator: These types of machines pull water out of the air, and cleans and purifies it for you to drink. Essentially they work like dehumidifiers, but instead of dumping the water, it filters the water and you can drink it. They work best in humid climates, but reviews I've read say they work in drier climates it just takes longer. A couple of things to keep in mind. They do draw a lot of power so if the power is out they won't work unless you have a way to generate enough power for them to work. A lot of people use them for everyday life, and others use them in their dry cabins. 

 

Water is life, and in an emergency, having a reliable supply is critical. With proper storage, purification, and planning, you can ensure your family’s safety and well-being during any crisis. Start your preparations today—because it’s better to have some water, no matter how imperfect, than to be caught without it. You can always clean it when it’s needed.

To learn about food storage check out this article here.