Water

Store water for 72 hours

Work out how much your household needs, fill clean containers and keep them where one leak cannot take it all.

Time30 min

LevelEasy

Steps5

Official sources2

Why it matters

Faucets can stop or turn unsafe after a storm, a quake or a main break. Stored water covers drinking, cooking and basic washing until supply returns.

What you need

Gather these before you start.

Food-grade water containers or sealed bottled water: 4 L (1 gal) per person per day
Unscented household bleach: a small bottle, for cleaning containers
Marker and tape for dates
Measuring teaspoon

Step by step

Emergency water storage chart showing a household of four needs 12 gallons for 3 days, 56 for two weeks and 120 for a month

11 of 5

Work out how much

Plan on about 4 L (1 gal) per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene. Three days is the minimum, and two weeks at home is a sound goal. Add more for children, nursing mothers, sick people, pets and hot weather.

22 of 5

Bottled is easiest

Sealed, shop-bought water can stay in its original packaging. Keep it unopened and use it by the date on the label.

33 of 5

Clean your own containers

Use food-grade containers made for water and wash them with dish soap and water. Sanitize by swishing in a mix of 1 teaspoon of unscented bleach per 1 L (1 qt) of water, then rinse.

44 of 5

Fill and seal

Fill from a treated public supply and close the lid tightly without touching the inside. Label each container with the word WATER and the date.

55 of 5

Store it right

Keep containers in a cool, dark place, away from gasoline, paint, pesticides and other chemicals. Spread the supply around the house so one leak or one blocked room does not take all of it.

The numbers

What	Amount
Water per person per day	1 gal (about 4 L)
Minimum supply	3 days
Home supply goal	2 weeks
Bleach to sanitize containers	1 tsp per 1 qt (1 L) of water
Replace water you bottled yourself	Every 6 months

Ready.gov, Water

Stay safe

Never store water in containers that held chemicals, fuel or cleaning products.
If your water comes from a well or is not treated, disinfect it before storing.

When you're done

Result	At least three days of safe water for every person and pet, dated and stored in more than one place.
Keep it ready	Replace water you bottled yourself every six months. Check shop-bought water by its date.

Questions people ask

How much water do you need for 72 hours?

Store at least 1 gallon (about 4 L) per person per day, so 3 gallons per person for 72 hours. Add more for children, nursing mothers, sick people, pets and hot weather.

What is the best way to store water for an emergency?

Buy commercially bottled water and keep it sealed in its original container in a cool, dark place. If you fill your own, use food-grade water containers, sanitize them with 1 teaspoon of unscented bleach per quart of water, and keep them away from fuel and chemicals.

How do you store water long term?

Replace water you bottled yourself every six months, and use store-bought water by the date on its label. Spread the containers around the house so one leak or one blocked room does not take the whole supply.