How Much Water Should You Store for an Emergency?

The 1-gallon rule

Ready.gov recommends at least one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and basic sanitation. Most people need about half a gallon a day just to drink, and more in hot weather or during physical activity. Children, nursing mothers and people who are ill may need more.

Calculate your household's total

Add water for pets, and plan for more if you live somewhere hot. Our Bunker Kit Builder does this math for you.

How to store water safely

• Store-bought bottled water is the safest choice. Keep it sealed and use it by the expiration date.
• Filling your own containers? Use food-grade water containers. Clean and sanitize them first, fill them with tap water from a treated public supply, seal them tightly and label them with the date.
• Replace home-filled water every six months.
• Keep water in a cool, dark place, away from gasoline, pesticides and other chemicals.
• Don't use milk jugs or juice bottles. They are hard to clean and break down over time.

Storing large amounts

For a two-week home supply, stackable 5- to 7-gallon jugs or a 55-gallon barrel save space. A barrel needs a siphon or pump to get water out. Keep it off concrete floors on a pallet or board, and somewhere it won't need to be moved once filled, because 55 gallons of water weighs more than 450 pounds.

Hidden water in your home

In an emergency, the water in your water heater tank and in melted ice cubes can be used. Don't drink water from toilets, radiators, waterbeds or swimming pools. If you aren't sure water is safe, treat it before drinking.