Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, in clean, food-grade, tightly capped containers kept cool and dark and away from fuel and chemicals. The CDC sets a floor of 3 days and says to try for 2 weeks. Most guidance below says to replace home-filled water every 6 months, though one state agency says 1 to 2 years.
How much water should I store per person?
Every source agrees on about 1 gallon per person per day. They differ on how many days. Increase the amount for children, sick people, nursing or pregnant people, pets and hot climates.
| Source | Per person per day | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CDC | At least 1 gallon | 3 days; try for 2 weeks |
| UF/IFAS | 1 to 1.5 gallons (a quart to a gallon per pet) | Minimum 3 days; 2 weeks if you have space |
| Portland Water Bureau | 14 gallons per person total | About 2 weeks |
| Utah State Extension | 1 gallon for drinking, plus extra for washing | Minimum 3 days; best is 2 weeks |
| Utah Division of Drinking Water | 1 gallon (half for drinking and food, half for hygiene and dishes) | 2 weeks (14 gallons) |
| San Francisco PUC | 1 gallon, pets up to 1 gallon | 3 to 5 days |
UF/IFAS gives an example: four people at 1.5 gallons a day for 3 days need 18 gallons. San Francisco PUC says a family of 4 with one dog should have 15 to 25 gallons.
How long will 500 gallons last one person?
That is arithmetic, not a source’s figure. At 1 gallon a day, 500 gallons covers one person for 500 days. At 1.5 gallons a day it covers about 333 days. Check the container side before you plan that much. The Utah Division of Drinking Water says a full 55-gallon drum weighs 460 pounds and needs a pump. It also points to separate guidance for containers over 55 gallons. Five hundred gallons is just over nine such drums.
How do I store water at home, and what do preppers do?
The sources used here do not describe what preppers do. They describe what public agencies advise, and it is a sound baseline:
- Use food-grade containers. Wash them with soap and rinse.
- Sanitize them with 1 teaspoon of unscented household bleach per quart of water (the CDC and UF/IFAS both give this). Cover, shake, wait at least 30 seconds, pour it out and air-dry.
- Fill with clean water and cap tightly.
- Label “drinking water” with the date.
- Store in a cool, dark, dry spot.
- Replace on schedule.
Portland suggests spreading your supply around the house: under sinks, under beds, behind the couch. It also suggests learning to draw water from your water heater. For a log to track dates and inspections, see this rotation and inspection log. For a broader plan, see our water storage overview and the 30-day food and water guide.
What is the healthiest container to store water in?
The sources do not rank containers by health. They agree on the standard: food-grade, with a tight lid, never one that held toxic chemicals. The CDC says FDA-approved food-grade containers will not transfer toxic substances into the water. It says to contact the manufacturer if you are unsure. Where they differ is on glass. The CDC says unbreakable materials, not glass. UF/IFAS, Utah State and the Utah Division of Drinking Water all list glass as usable.
| Container | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Food-grade water jugs (5 gallon) | Utah Division of Drinking Water lists a 5 gallon heavy-duty plastic container with spigot, about 42 pounds full |
| 6 gallon Mylar bag in a box | Same source: blocks odor, gas and light; about 50 pounds |
| 2-liter soft drink bottles | Recommended by UF/IFAS, Utah State and San Francisco PUC. Utah State says they are less likely to leak or hold residues |
| 55 gallon drum | Only if it never held toxic materials; needs a pump |
| Glass, stainless steel, coated metal | Utah State accepts them if food grade. The Utah Division of Drinking Water says pad glass jugs. The CDC advises against glass |
| Milk jugs | Avoid. UF/IFAS says bacteria grow quickly in them; Utah State says they may leak and hold sugars and proteins |
| Bleach bottles | Not recommended. UF/IFAS says they are not food-grade plastic. The Utah Division of Drinking Water warns of accidentally drinking bleach |
Does water in 5 gallon jugs go bad? How long can stored water sit?
Water does not have a single expiry. The sources agree that properly cleaned containers with clean water can hold safe water for a long time. They still tell you to rotate it, and the intervals differ.
| Source | Shelf life and rotation |
|---|---|
| CDC | Replace water you fill yourself every 6 months. Observe the expiration date on store-bought water |
| UF/IFAS | Properly stored public-supply water should have an indefinite shelf life. Replace every 6 to 12 months for best taste |
| Utah State Extension | Properly disinfected and stored water should have an indefinite shelf life. Rotate every 6 months for best drinking quality |
| San Francisco PUC | Replace tap water every 6 months. Bottled water without an expiration date: label with purchase date and replace every 6 months |
| Utah Division of Drinking Water | Rotate every 1 to 2 years |
The same rules apply to 5 gallon jugs as to any container. If the water looks murky or smells or tastes foul, UF/IFAS says it is likely contaminated and you should not drink it. Once you open a container, UF/IFAS says to use the water within 1 to 2 days if possible, refrigerated if you can. The Utah Division of Drinking Water says to use opened water rather than put it back into storage.
How do I store water for 10 years?
The sources used here do not give a 10-year method. The longest rotation interval stated is 1 to 2 years, from the Utah Division of Drinking Water. For long-term storage it says to put 4 to 5 drops of unscented liquid bleach (4% to 6% sodium hypochlorite) per gallon into water in thoroughly clean plastic or glass containers. It says this prevents microbial growth during storage. It also says to fill plastic containers to the top with no air space. Utah State and UF/IFAS say properly treated or public-supply water can have an “indefinite” shelf life while still advising rotation. If you want water that sits for years, plan to inspect and refresh it on a schedule instead of trusting it blindly.
Do I need to treat water before storing it?
- Public supply: UF/IFAS and San Francisco PUC say no chemical treatment is needed. The exception is a boil-water notice, when you disinfect first.
- Well, spring or untested source: UF/IFAS says to purify it before storage.
- Utah State says city water is generally safe but suggests a chlorine or heat treatment for quality. That is 8 drops, or 1/8 teaspoon, of bleach per gallon, or processing quart Mason jars in a boiling water canner for 20 minutes.
Bleach figures vary by source because bleach strength varies, so read your label.
| Source | Bleach used | Per gallon, clear water |
|---|---|---|
| UF/IFAS | 5%-6% | 8 drops (16 if cloudy) |
| San Francisco PUC | 4-6% (typically 5.25%) | 8 drops, 1/8 teaspoon; double for cloudy, colored or very cold water |
| Utah Division of Drinking Water | 5.25% | 4 to 5 drops for storage; 16 if cloudy |
Use unscented bleach with no added cleaners. Let treated water stand 30 minutes. The Utah Division of Drinking Water says chemical disinfection will not remove cryptosporidium. For the methods side by side, see purification methods compared.
Is it okay to keep bottled water in the garage?
The sources used here do not mention garages. They do give the conditions to meet. The CDC says 50°F to 70°F, away from direct sunlight, and away from gasoline or pesticides. UF/IFAS says heat and light slowly damage plastic and cause leaks. The Utah Division of Drinking Water says vapors from petroleum and insecticides can permeate plastic. A garage that gets hot or holds fuel or chemicals fails those tests. San Francisco PUC says to keep bottled water in a cool, dark place in the original sealed containers. Utah State says to keep containers off the ground and cement.
Is bottled water safer than tap water? Which bottled water is unhealthiest?
The sources used here do not rank bottled water brands and say nothing about cardiologists’ views. Their statements on bottled water differ. The CDC calls unopened, commercially bottled water the safest and most reliable emergency source. Utah State says purchased bottled water is convenient but not considered safer or purer than city-treated water. UF/IFAS says public-supply and bottled water are both safe to store without purification. For a health question about drinking bottled water, ask your clinician.
What if my stored water runs out?
San Francisco PUC says you can treat water from your water heater, toilet reservoir tank or coffee maker reservoir, by bleach or by boiling. Pool and spa water is not for drinking, only for flushing or washing. Utah State adds ice cubes and pipe water, and says swimming pool, toilet tank or waterbed water is a last resort and not for drinking. The Utah Division of Drinking Water says to boil at a rolling boil for 5 minutes minimum. Utah State says 5 minutes, UF/IFAS 3 to 4 minutes and San Francisco PUC 3 to 5. For rain collection, see rainwater harvesting.
Is there anything specific to California?
San Francisco PUC says experts see more than a 60 percent chance of a major Bay Area earthquake within 30 years. It says water may be unavailable for 72 hours or more, and it recommends 3 to 5 days of water. Its advice: use food-grade containers, store in a cool, dark place such as under a sink or in the basement, label with the date and replace every six months. The sources used here do not include other California agencies’ guidance. Check your own water utility’s advice.
What about water-storage products?
If you are considering a specific product, the place to read about that one is our Water Freedom System page. Compare it against the basics above before you spend. Also read about the Survival Sip filter and filters vs tablets. Utah State says to note tablet shelf life. The Utah Division of Drinking Water says iodine tablets last about 3 to 5 years unopened and Halazone about 2 years.
What could not be settled here
- A 10-year storage method.
- A ranking of bottled water brands.
- Health claims about bottled water.
- What preppers do, beyond official guidance.
Medical needs or immune conditions may change how much water or what precautions suit you; the Utah Division of Drinking Water says immunocompromised people may want extra precautions. Ask a clinician.
By ThePreppersBlueprint.com Editorial Team