Store Water Safely at Home
Water is the first thing you need and the first thing to run short. Storing a modest supply is cheap, easy, and the highest-value prep you can do.
Key takeaways
- Store at least 4 litres per person per day; two weeks is a great goal.
- Use food-grade containers and keep them cool and dark.
- Label and rotate stored water every 6–12 months.
Step-by-step
- Choose containers. Use commercial water jugs or clean food-grade containers. Avoid old milk jugs, which break down and leak.
- Fill and treat. Fill with tap water. If treating, add 2 drops of unscented household bleach per litre, then let stand 30 minutes.
- Store smart. Keep containers off concrete, away from chemicals, and out of direct sunlight.
- Rotate. Label with the date and refresh stored water roughly twice a year.
✅ Printable checklist
- Two weeks of water per person stored
- Food-grade containers only
- Stored cool, dark, off concrete
- Dated labels applied
- Rotation reminder set
