How to Store Water at Home the Right Way

Water is the one supply you cannot go without for long, and it is also the easiest to store. A little planning means a broken main, boil-water notice or storm does not send you to an empty store shelf.

How much you need

The common guideline is one gallon per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene. Aim for at least a three-day supply, and two weeks if you have the space. Pets, nursing mothers, hot climates and anyone who is ill will need more.

The easiest option: store-bought water

Commercially bottled water is sealed, simple to rotate and good until the date on the label. Gallon jugs and cases of bottles stack well in a closet or under a bed. Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from gasoline, pesticides and other chemicals, because plastic can absorb odors.

Filling your own containers

• Use food-grade containers made for water, such as 5-gallon jugs or larger barrels.
• Avoid milk jugs, which break down, and anything that ever held chemicals.
• Clean the container, fill it with tap water from a treated municipal supply, cap it tightly and label it with the date.
• Replace self-filled water about every six months.

Don't forget the water you already have

Your water heater holds 30 to 80 gallons. If you know a storm is coming, you can also fill bathtubs and large pots for washing and flushing. Learn now how to shut off your home's main water valve, in case the city supply becomes contaminated.

Have a way to treat more

Stored water runs out. A good backup is a portable filter rated for bacteria and protozoa, or unscented household bleach used according to EPA directions for disinfecting drinking water. Filters do not remove chemical contamination, so stored clean water is still your first choice.

Make it a habit

Rotate your supply on a schedule, use the old water for plants and cleaning, and refill. Stored water you trust is worth far more than a big pile you are not sure about.