Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day: a 3-day supply for evacuation and, where possible, two weeks at home. Commercially bottled water is the simplest; if you fill your own, use food-grade containers and replace the water every six months. If you must treat water, boil it for 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 feet), or add unscented household bleach at the CDC's dose and wait 30 minutes.
People can go weeks without food but only days without water. Water is the first thing to store.
How much
| Household | 3 days | 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 gal | 14 gal |
| 2 people | 6 gal | 28 gal |
| 4 people | 12 gal | 56 gal |
| Each medium dog | Add about 1 gal per 3 days | Add about 5 gal |
Hot climates, nursing mothers, children and sick people need more.
Containers
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Commercial bottled water | Easiest; keep sealed and use by date |
| 5 to 7 gallon food-grade jugs | Portable; heavy when full |
| 55-gallon food-grade drums | Large reserve; needs a pump and space |
| Bathtub water bladder | Filled when a storm is coming, about 100 gallons |
| Water heater tank | A built-in reserve; know how to drain it safely |
Clean and sanitize containers before filling, label with the date, and store away from sunlight and chemicals.
Treating water
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Boiling | Rolling boil 1 minute; 3 minutes above 6,500 ft |
| Unscented bleach, 6% | 8 drops per gallon, stir, wait 30 minutes |
| Unscented bleach, 8.25% | 6 drops per gallon, stir, wait 30 minutes |
| Filters | Certified for the contaminants you expect; see your filter’s listing |
Double the bleach for cloudy water after letting it settle and filtering through a clean cloth. These are CDC guidelines.
Keep it in the kit
Related: Freeze-Dried vs MRE vs Canned Food for Emergencies.
Put a few gallons in your 72-hour kit. Browse water and food.
Common questions
How much water should I store for emergencies?
At least 1 gallon per person per day: 3 days for an evacuation kit and up to two weeks at home if you can.
How long can stored water last?
Replace self-filled water about every six months. Use commercially bottled water by its date.
How much bleach to purify a gallon of water?
The CDC says 8 drops of 6 percent or 6 drops of 8.25 percent unscented bleach per gallon of clear water, then wait 30 minutes.
Can I store water in milk jugs?
It is not recommended. Milk jugs are hard to clean of milk residue and degrade over time.