Survival guides · Water & Food

Store Water

WHEN TO USE THISBefore an emergency. 1 gallon per person per day — 3 days minimum, 2 weeks better.

1. Work out how much

   • 1 gallon per person per day — half to drink, half for cooking and washing.
   • Family of four: 12 gallons for 3 days, 56 for two weeks.
   • Double it for hot weather, pregnancy, illness or hard work.

2. Choose containers

   • Food-grade water containers, or store-bought bottled water.
   • Never old milk or juice jugs, or anything that held chemicals — they can't be cleaned well enough.
   • Glass works but is heavy and breaks.

3. Fill and treat

   • From a city tap? It's already treated — just fill.
   • Well or untreated water? Bleach per gallon: 6 drops of 8.25% or 8 drops of 6%.
   • Fill to the top, seal tight, write the date.

4. Store and rotate

   • Cool and dark, away from sunlight and chemicals.
   • Store-bought water: keep the seal, watch the date.
   • Water you filled yourself: swap it every 6 months.
   • Check now and then for leaks or cloudiness.

Sources: FEMA / Ready.gov · CDC Water Storage Guidelines

General information to help in an emergency — not a substitute for training or professional care.