Emergency Water Storage Guide 2025
Water is your most critical prep. Learn how much you need, the best storage containers, purification methods that actually work, and lessons from real emergencies like the Texas freeze and Hurricane Maria.
How Much Water Do You Need?
FEMA, CDC, and Red Cross all recommend 1 gallon per person per day as the minimum. This breaks down to roughly 0.5 gallons for drinking and 0.5 gallons for cooking and basic sanitation.
Quick Reference
Special Considerations
Hot Climates
Increase by 50-100%. Heat and physical exertion dramatically increase water needs.
Pregnant/Nursing
Need additional water beyond the standard gallon per day.
Sick Individuals
Fever, vomiting, or diarrhea increase hydration needs significantly.
Pets
1 oz per pound of body weight daily. A 60-lb dog needs 0.5 gallon/day.
Storage Container Options
5-7 Gallon Stackable Jugs
The most practical size for most homes—portable when full, affordable, and easy to rotate.
Reliance Aqua-Tainer
7 Gallon
Reliance Rhino
5.5 Gallon
~$20
Scepter Military Can
5 Gallon
$25-45
55-Gallon Drums
The workhorse of serious preppers. Cost-effective at scale.
Legacy 55-Gallon
FDA-approved HDPE
$70-90
IBC Tote
275-330 Gallon
Under $100 used
WaterBOB (Bathtub Bladder)
Emergency option that uses your bathtub. ~$35 for 80-100 gallons. Keeps water fresh for 16 weeks.
- • Milk jugs - biodegradable, retain bacteria
- • Previous chemical containers - bleach, pesticides
- • Non-food-grade plastics
- • Glass containers - breakable, heavy
- • Non-stainless steel - corrodes
Water Treatment & Preservation
How Long Does Stored Water Last?
Water Preserver Products
Water Preserver Concentrate
7C's, H2O ResQ
$20-40
Aquamira
Chlorine Dioxide
$20-30
Storage Best Practices
- 1Temperature: 50-70°F ideal. Heat accelerates degradation.
- 2Light: Keep in dark location, away from direct sunlight.
- 3Chemicals: Store away from gasoline, pesticides, solvents.
- 4Concrete floors: Use a barrier (wood, cardboard)—chemicals can leach through plastic.
Purification Methods
Gravity Filters
Best for home base stations—no pumping, no electricity, large capacity.
Berkey
Big/Royal
$660-730
Phoenix
Berkey Alternative
$355-435
Portable Filters
Sawyer Mini
~$26
LifeStraw
~$12
Chemical Treatment
Household Bleach (5.25-6.25% unscented)
What Removes What?
| Feature | Boiling | Bleach | Filters | UV | Distill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacteria | |||||
| Viruses | |||||
| Protozoa | |||||
| Heavy Metals | Partial | ||||
| Chemicals | Partial | Partial |
Rainwater Collection
Legality by State
Rainwater collection is legal in most states. Only Colorado (110 gallon limit, outdoor use only) and Utah (registration required over 100 gallons) have significant restrictions.
States that actively encourage collection with incentives: Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and others.
Collection Potential
With 80% efficiency: ~1,000 gallons actual
Roof Materials
Best: Metal
90%+ efficiency, doesn't absorb water
OK: Asphalt Shingles
Use first-flush and filter
Avoid: Wood/Tar
Treatment chemicals, toxins
Alternative Water Sources
Your Water Heater
Often overlooked: your water heater holds 30-50 gallons of potable water.
Access via the drain valve at the bottom. Already filled and doesn't count against storage space.
Well Water
Consider a hand pump for grid-down scenarios.
Simple Pump: Up to 325 feet depth, $800-1,500+. Standard hand pumps only work to 25-35 feet.
- Myth: Swift-moving water is safe. Reality: It's not.
- Myth: Cold water is clean. Reality: Temperature doesn't indicate safety.
- Always purify water from streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds.
Real-World Case Studies
Texas Freeze 2021 (Winter Storm Uri)
February 10-27, 2021
Impact
- • 1.4+ million lost water service
- • 12 million under boil-water advisories
- • Austin lost 325 million gallons from burst pipes
- • Some without water for 7+ days
What People Did
- • Collected gutter water to flush toilets
- • Shared showers with friends
- • Used bottled water for washing
- • Paid $200+ for hotel rooms
Hurricane Maria - Puerto Rico (2017)
September 2017 - August 2018
Impact
- • 44% without water after 1 week
- • 14% still without water 3 months later
- • Boil water advisories lasted months
What Failed
- • Warehouses of bottled water left to rot
- • Government distribution failed
Flint Water Crisis (2014-2018)
18 months of contaminated tap water
Impact
- • 140,000 people exposed to lead
- • Lead levels up to 13,000 ppb
- • 12 deaths from Legionnaires' disease
Budget Setups
Budget Setup
Under $100
- Two 7-gallon Aqua-Tainers$50
- LifeStraw filter$12
- Bleach for treatment$5
- Storage bags$10
Coverage: 14 gallons = 2 weeks for 2 people or 1 week for 4
Medium Setup
$100-500
- Two 55-gallon drums$140-180
- Water Preserver (5-year)$20
- Sawyer Squeeze filter$40
- Reliance Rhino (portable)$20
- Bottled water cases$30
Coverage: 120+ gallons = 4+ weeks for family of 4
Comprehensive Setup
$500+
- Six 55-gallon drums$420-540
- Water Preserver$30
- Phoenix gravity filter$355
- Sawyer Squeeze backup$40
- Two 7-gallon portable$50
- WaterBOB$35
Coverage: 344+ gallons = 11+ weeks for family of 4