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A WORD TO THE CITIZEN
This week, we’re focusing on one of the most important elements of emergency preparedness: water. You’ll learn how much water your household should realistically store, how to calculate your family’s needs, and several practical ways to store and rotate water safely at home. Having a reliable water supply can make a huge difference during disasters that interrupt municipal services, so building a solid storage plan is a key step in becoming better prepared.
If you’re new to this series, you may want to start with Week 1: The Basics of Prepping where we cover the fundamentals of emergency preparedness and how to begin building your preparedness plan from the ground up.
— The Prepared Citizen Team
Clean, drinkable water is one of the most important survival resources during a disaster. Your body needs water to function, and it’s also essential for cooking, cleaning, and preventing illness.
If a natural disaster disrupts your local water supply, even for a few days, you could quickly find yourself in a dangerous situation.
That’s why every household should have an emergency water storage plan.
How Much Water Should You Store for Emergencies?
Most emergency preparedness experts recommend at least one gallon of water per person per day.
However, that amount is extremely minimal. It only covers basic drinking and very limited hygiene.
A more practical recommendation is:
1.5–2 gallons per person per day
This accounts for:
Drinking
Basic cooking
Minimal washing or sponge baths
Sanitation needs
💡 Preparedness Tip:
When it comes to emergency water storage, more is always better.
Referring friends or family to the newsletter will give you access to the Prepared Citizen Master Checklist. Check your unique referral link below.
Calculate Your Household Water Needs
Every household should aim to store at least 10 days of potable water per person.
Example Calculation
For a family of four:
2 gallons per person per day
4 people × 2 gallons × 10 days
Total: 80 gallons of water
That’s roughly equivalent to:
Four 20-gallon containers, or
Eight 10-gallon containers
If you have limited storage space, this may be a reasonable target.
If You Live in a Disaster-Prone Area
If your region regularly experiences disasters such as:
Hurricanes
Severe winter storms
Earthquakes
Flooding
You should consider storing up to 30 days of water per person.
This level of preparation can provide security during long-term infrastructure outages.
A gradual storage plan may eventually give you around 52 gallons per person, which could sustain a household for several months of minimal water use.
If space is limited, simply choose a realistic goal that fits your home.
Many people forget they already have an emergency water supply inside their home.
Your water heater.
The average household water heater contains about 30 gallons of water.
For a family of four, this could provide several days of emergency water without any preparation.
In a crisis, this reserve can make a huge difference.
How Long Would Your Current Water Supply Last?
Take a moment to calculate your current emergency water storage.
Example scenario:
Household: 4 people
Water use: 2 gallons per person per day
Stored water: 40 gallons
Result:
You have enough water for 5 days.
That assumes minimal use, mostly drinking and basic hygiene.
Understanding your current supply helps you plan better.
Best Containers for Storing Emergency Water
Choosing the right containers makes water storage easier and safer.
1. Reused Soda or Juice Bottles
One of the simplest storage methods is using cleaned plastic beverage bottles.
Benefits:
Easy to store
Lightweight
Readily available
Simple to handle
A 2-liter bottle holds roughly half a gallon of water, making it a manageable size for daily use.
⚠️ Important:
Do not use milk jugs. They degrade quickly and often develop tiny leaks.
2. Purpose-Built Water Storage Containers
Many outdoor and sporting goods stores sell 7-gallon emergency water containers.
Advantages include:
Durable construction
Designed for long-term storage
Built-in spigots for easy pouring
Keep in mind that water is heavy. A full 7-gallon container weighs more than 55 pounds.
Amazon offers a kit of 4 5-gallon containers, 6 lids, 2 spigots, and 1 bottle of water preserver. You can also buy 4 containers without the additional accessories.
3. Commercial Bottled Water
Another option is storing cases of bottled water.
Pros:
Convenient
No preparation needed
Long shelf life
Cons:
More expensive
Takes up more space
For many households, this is the simplest approach to building a water reserve quickly.
Emergency Water Storage in Your Bathtub
If you receive advance warning before a disaster, you can temporarily store water in your bathtub.
However, keep in mind:
Bathtubs may not always be clean enough for drinking water
The water may be better used for cleaning or sanitation
Helpful Tips
Cover the tub to prevent dust or debris contamination
A cheap shower curtain liner works well
Weigh down the edges to keep it in place
Use cold water only to avoid draining your water heater
The WaterBOB: A Popular Emergency Water Tool
The WaterBOB is a specially designed emergency water storage system for bathtubs.
How it works:
Place a large plastic bladder inside your tub
Fill it with tap water
Seal it to keep the water clean
Key features:
Holds up to 100 gallons
Includes a siphon pump
Protects water from contamination
While useful, it should only be considered a backup solution. It only works if your water supply is still running when the emergency begins.
Where to Store Emergency Water
Proper storage helps maintain water quality.
The best locations are:
Cool
Dark
Easily accessible
Good places include:
Closets
Pantries
Storage rooms
Basements can work, but remember you may need to carry heavy containers upstairs during an emergency.
How to Rotate Stored Water
If you’re filling your own containers, rotate your water supply about every six months.
Use the older water for:
Houseplants
Pets
Garden watering
Cleaning
Then refill the containers with fresh water.
A Simple Water Rotation Strategy
A practical system is to rotate small amounts regularly.
Example method:
Remove 1 gallon from storage each week
Use it for household tasks
Replace it with 2 gallons of fresh water
This approach:
Keeps your supply fresh
Gradually increases your water reserves
Prevents large waste during rotation
When You Don’t Need to Rotate Water
If you store commercial bottled water, rotation is generally unnecessary.
As long as the seal remains unbroken, bottled water can remain safe for many years.
Weekly Preparedness Tasks
1. Set Your Water Storage Goal
Decide how many days—or weeks—you want your household to be self-sufficient.
Calculate your total water requirement using:
1.5–2 gallons per person per day
2. Start Gathering Containers
Collect and clean containers that fit your storage space.
Good options include:
Soda bottles
Emergency water containers
Bottled water cases
3. Create a Rotation Schedule
Avoid rotating your entire supply at once.
Instead, replace a few gallons each week to keep the supply fresh.
Emergency Preparedness Grocery List
Add these items to your pantry this week:
3 cans vegetables (any variety)
2 cans fruit (packed in water or juice)
2 cans meat (tuna, chicken, or beef)
2 cans soup (non-condensed)
1 jar jelly or fruit preserves
1 jar pasta sauce
1 container table salt
1 package nuts, dried fruit, or trail mix
Quick Water Storage Checklist
✔ Store at least 10 days of water per person
✔ Aim for 1.5–2 gallons per person per day
✔ Store water in cool, dark locations
✔ Rotate stored water every six months
✔ Avoid using milk jugs for storage
Next week we will be covering Bug Out Bags. Stay prepared!