Home Water Storage: Complete Guide for Emergency Preparedness

Water is your most critical emergency supply. You can survive weeks without food but only days without water. Yet most households have less than a day’s supply on hand.

This guide covers everything you need to store water at home: how much, what containers, treatment, and rotation schedules.

How Much Water Do You Need?

FEMA recommends: 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation.

Reality: You’ll want more.

Storage targets:

• 3 days (minimum): 3 gallons per person
• 2 weeks (recommended): 14 gallons per person
• 1 month (prepared): 30 gallons per person

Calculate Your Household Needs

Water Storage Containers

Best Containers for Home Storage

Food-grade plastic containers are the standard choice. Look for HDPE (recycle code 2) or PET (recycle code 1).

The 7-gallon Aqua-Tainer is the workhorse of home water storage. Stackable, affordable, and includes a spigot.

Other excellent options:

Emergency Bathtub Storage

When you have advance warning (hurricanes, winter storms), fill your bathtub with 65-100 gallons using a bathtub bladder.

How it works:

1. Place bladder in clean bathtub
2. Attach to faucet and fill
3. Use included pump to dispense
4. Single use—dispose after emergency

Containers to Avoid

Don’t use:

• Milk jugs (proteins breed bacteria)
• Non-food-grade plastics
• Metal containers (rust, chemicals)
• Glass (breakage, weight)
• Previously held chemicals

Water Treatment for Storage

Municipal tap water is already treated and safe to store directly. Well water should be treated before storage.

Option 1: Store Tap Water As-Is

If your water comes from a chlorinated municipal supply:

1. Fill clean containers with tap water
2. Cap tightly
3. Store in cool, dark location
4. Rotate every 6-12 months

The residual chlorine keeps water safe for months.

Option 2: Add Water Preserver

Water preserver concentrate extends storage life to 5 years by adding extra chlorine that remains stable over time.

Usage: Add to water at recommended dose, seal containers.

Option 3: Treat Well Water

Well water lacks chlorine. Before storage:

• Add 1/8 teaspoon (8 drops) unscented bleach per gallon
• OR use water preserver concentrate
• Let stand 30 minutes before sealing

Filtering vs. Storing

Storage and filtration serve different purposes:

Stored water: Pre-treated, ready to drink immediately.

Water filters: Turn questionable water safe (streams, rainwater, compromised tap).

Keep backup filtration:

• Sawyer Squeeze for filtering
• Water purification tablets for viruses

Where to Store Water

Location requirements:

• Cool (50-70°F ideal)
• Dark (UV degrades plastic and promotes algae)
• Away from chemicals and gasoline
• Accessible in emergency
• Won’t cause flooding if containers fail

Common storage locations:

• Closets
• Basement (off concrete—use pallets)
• Garage (insulate in extreme climates)
• Under beds
• Utility rooms

Weight Considerations

Water weighs 8.34 lbs per gallon. A 55-gallon drum weighs over 450 lbs when full.

Important: Place large containers in their final location BEFORE filling. Upper floors may have weight limits—consult if storing significant amounts.

Rotation Schedule

Even properly stored water should be rotated:

Emergency Water Sources

If your stored water runs out, know your backup options:

Safe (with filtration/treatment)

• Rainwater
• Streams, rivers, lakes
• Swimming pools (filter + treat)
• Water heater tank (40-80 gallons!)
• Toilet tanks (not bowls—skip if chemicals added)
• Waterbeds (treat heavily or use for sanitation only)

Unsafe—Avoid

• Floodwater
• Water near industrial areas
• Toilet bowls
• Radiator fluid
• Water with floating material or odor

Water Heater as Emergency Source

Your water heater holds 30-80 gallons of fresh water:

1. Turn off electricity/gas to heater
2. Turn off water supply to house
3. Open a hot water faucet to release pressure
4. Attach hose to drain valve OR open drain valve into container
5. Open pressure relief valve to allow drainage

Building Your Water Storage System

Starter Setup (~$50)

• 4× Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-gallon ($15-20 each) = 28 gallons
• 1× AquaPod bathtub bladder ($25) = 65 gallon emergency backup

Total: 93 gallons — Covers a family of 4 for 2+ weeks.

Comprehensive Setup (~$200)

• 1× 55-gallon drum with pump ($80)
• 4× 7-gallon Aqua-Tainers ($60)
• 1× AquaPod or WaterBOB ($25)
• Water preserver concentrate ($15)
• Sawyer Squeeze filter ($35)

Total: 148+ gallons — Family of 4 for 1+ month plus filtration backup.

Water Storage Checklist

Sources

• FEMA Water Storage Guidelines
• CDC Emergency Water Storage
• Sensible Prepper - Water Storage
• The Prepared - Water Storage Guide

Related:

• Best Water Filters for Bug Out Bags
• 72-Hour Emergency Kit
• Vehicle Emergency Kit