Water Storage Basics

How much?

The common guideline is about one gallon per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene. Plan more for hot weather, nursing mothers, kids, people who are ill, and pets. For a 3-day kit, that's at least 3 gallons per person. It's heavy, which is why a portable kit pairs a small amount of water with a way to make more.

Storing it at home

• Use food-grade containers made for water. Commercially bottled water is the simplest option.
• Keep it somewhere cool and dark, away from fuels and chemicals.
• Label containers with the date you filled them, and rotate stored tap water on a regular schedule (many agencies suggest roughly every six months).

Filter vs. treat

A squeeze-style filter like the Sawyer Squeeze removes bacteria and protozoa from clear fresh water. It doesn't remove chemicals, and filters like this generally aren't rated for viruses. If the source might be chemically contaminated (floodwater, fuel, runoff), find a better source. Follow local boil-water advisories and your filter's manufacturer instructions.

Rain barrels

Rain barrels are great for gardens and can be a backup source, but treat that water as untreated surface water: filter and disinfect before drinking.

General information only. Follow guidance from your local emergency management and public-health authorities.