Emergency Water Storage Guide: How Much to Store & Best Containers
Water is the most critical emergency supply you can store: yet most households have none. You can survive three weeks without food. Without water, you have three days. A emergency water storage plan covers the quantity you need, the right containers to store it in, how to rotate it safely, and what to do when your stored supply runs out. This guide covers all of it.
How Much Water Do You Need?
FEMA’s minimum recommendation is 1 gallon per person per day: covering drinking only. For a realistic emergency that includes cooking, basic hygiene, and sanitation, plan for 2 gallons per person per day.
| Household | 72 Hours | 1 Week | 2 Weeks | 1 Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 adult | 6 gal | 14 gal | 28 gal | 60 gal |
| 2 adults | 12 gal | 28 gal | 56 gal | 120 gal |
| 4 people | 24 gal | 56 gal | 112 gal | 240 gal |
| 4 people + pets | 30 gal | 70 gal | 140 gal | 300 gal |
Best Water Storage Containers
5-Gallon Jerry Cans / Water Jugs
Best for: Starter emergency storage, portability, apartment prep
- HDPE (food-grade, BPA-free) plastic containers rated for water storage
- 5-gallon size is manageable to carry and fill (~42 lbs full)
- Stack two high; store in dark, cool location
- Buy purpose-made water containers: not recycled soda or juice containers
WaterBOB Bathtub Bladder (100 Gallons)
Best for: Emergency use when disaster is imminent: fills in 20 minutes
- Food-grade plastic bladder fits any standard bathtub; holds 100 gallons
- Not for long-term storage: use within 4 weeks
- Stores flat in a drawer; costs ~$35; buys 50 days of water for one adult in a single bathtub fill
30-Gallon Barrel
Best for: 1–2 person households, small apartment storage
- BPA-free food-grade HDPE; fits in a closet or pantry corner
- Requires a hand pump or siphon to access water
- Provides 15 days of water for one adult (at 2 gal/day)
55-Gallon Drum
Best for: Homes with garage, basement, or outdoor space; families
- Food-grade blue HDPE drums: the standard choice for serious preparedness
- Requires bung wrench, pump, and stabilizer (sodium hypochlorite or AquaTabs)
- One drum = 27.5 days for one adult; two drums = 1 month for a couple
- Very heavy full (~460 lbs): position where you fill them
250-Gallon IBC Tote
Best for: Large families, homesteaders, maximum long-term storage
- Industrial bulk containers: used for food-grade water storage by preppers at the serious level
- Available on Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace used (food-grade only: check label carefully)
- One IBC = 125 days of water for one adult
Storing Tap Water Safely
Tap water from a municipal supply is already treated and safe to store. To store it correctly:
- Use food-grade, thoroughly cleaned containers: never containers that held non-food products
- For large containers (30+ gallons): add water stabilizer: 1/4 teaspoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach (5–8% sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water
- Seal airtight and label with fill date
- Store away from direct sunlight, pesticides, gasoline, and other chemicals (which can permeate through plastic)
- Replace every 6–12 months (or use water stabilizer and extend to 5 years)
Water Rotation Schedule
- 5-gallon jugs without stabilizer: Rotate every 6 months (use in cooking/cleaning, refill fresh)
- 5-gallon jugs with water preserver: Rotate every 5 years
- 55-gallon drums with treatment: Rotate every 1–2 years
- WaterBOB: One-time use: fill when needed, don’t store filled
When Stored Water Runs Out: Purification Options
A complete water strategy combines storage with purification capability for any available water source:
- Gravity filter (Berkey): Filters tap, rain, stream, or pond water; no electricity; best for home emergency use
- Personal filter (LifeStraw, Sawyer Squeeze): Portable filtration for evacuation; filters up to 1,000 gallons per filter
- Purification tablets (AquaTabs, Potable Aqua): Lightest backup; 1 tablet per litre; kills bacteria and viruses in 30 minutes
- Boiling: Free, always effective; bring to rolling boil for 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 ft elevation)
Recommended Products
WaterBOB Emergency Drinking Water Storage (100 Gallons)
Every household should own a WaterBOB regardless of other water storage. It takes 20 minutes to fill in your bathtub, stores flat in a drawer until needed, and provides 100 gallons of clean drinking water the moment you learn a disaster is coming. At ~$35, it’s the cheapest 100 gallons of emergency water storage available. Keep one under every bathroom sink.
- 100 gallons in any standard bathtub
- Food-grade BPA-free plastic; hand pump included
- Stores flat until needed: zero storage footprint
55-Gallon Blue Water Storage Barrel with Bung Wrench & Pump
The standard choice for serious home water storage. Food-grade blue HDPE drum with bung holes, a hand pump for dispensing, and a bung wrench for opening. Buy the bundle that includes pump and wrench: the barrel alone is useless without them. One drum covers one adult for over 3 weeks. Start with one, add a second when space allows. Store in a basement, garage, or cool closet.
- 55 gallons: 27+ days for 1 adult at 2 gal/day
- Food-grade BPA-free blue HDPE
- Bundle includes pump + bung wrench
WaterBrick Stackable Water Storage Container (3.5 Gallon, 8-Pack)
WaterBrick containers are the most space-efficient water storage solution for apartments and small spaces. Each 3.5-gallon brick stacks like LEGO blocks: six high, as wide as you need: and can be stored under beds, in closets, or in any corner. The 8-pack provides 28 gallons: two weeks for one adult. BPA-free, HDPE food-grade, with a built-in carrying handle. The best choice when floor space is limited.
- Stackable bricks: maximise any storage space
- 3.5 gallons each; 8-pack = 28 gallons
- Fits under beds, in closets, any corner
Emergency Water Storage FAQ
How long can you store tap water safely?
Tap water stored in clean, food-grade sealed containers without treatment: 6–12 months. With water preserver drops or stabiliser added at correct dosage: up to 5 years. Commercially bottled water with an unbroken seal: follow the printed date (typically 1–2 years, though the water itself doesn’t expire: the date relates to plastic leaching). Stored water doesn’t “go bad” biologically in sealed containers, but plastic can leach taste and chemicals over time.
Can I use bleach to purify stored water?
Yes: unscented liquid chlorine bleach at 5–8.25% sodium hypochlorite concentration. Add 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon) per gallon to treat questionable stored water, or 1/4 teaspoon per gallon as a long-term preservative. Stir, leave uncovered for 30 minutes, then seal. The water should have a slight chlorine smell: if it doesn’t, repeat the dose. This works for bacteria and most viruses but does not remove chemical contaminants or parasites (for those, use a water filter).
What if I live in an apartment and can’t store 55-gallon drums?
Apartment-friendly options: (1) WaterBrick stackable containers under beds and in closets: store 28+ gallons in spaces you’d otherwise waste. (2) WaterBOB in your bathtub when an emergency is announced: instant 100 gallons. (3) Commercial bottled water cases: a case of 24 × 500ml bottles costs ~$5 and stores anywhere. (4) A LifeStraw or Sawyer Squeeze filter means any tap water, sink water, or even rain collection becomes drinkable. See our full Apartment Emergency Prep guide.