Emergency Water Storage: Complete Guide

You can survive weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. Yet water storage is the most overlooked aspect of emergency preparedness.

The Rule of Thumb

Store 1 gallon per person per day. Covers drinking, hygiene, and food prep.

Duration	1 Person	Family of 4
72 hours	3 gallons	12 gallons
2 weeks	14 gallons	56 gallons
1 month	30 gallons	120 gallons

Budget Options

$0-10: 2-Liter Soda Bottles

Wash thoroughly, rinse with dilute bleach, fill with tap, label with date. 6 months shelf life. Start today.

$10-50: 5-Gallon HDPE Jugs

Food-grade, built-in spigot. $8-15 each. Best mid-range option.

$50-200: 55-Gallon Drums

6 months supply per drum. Requires hand pump. ~440 lbs when full.

Water Treatment

Method	Cost	Kills	Doesn't Remove
Boil (1 min rolling)	$0	99.9% pathogens	Chemicals, sediment
Bleach (2 drops/qt)	$0	99.9% pathogens	Chemicals, heavy metals
Sawyer Mini filter	$15-20	99.99%	Viruses (use with bleach)
LifeStraw	$15-20	99.99%	Viruses

Rotation Schedule

Container	Rotate	Action
PET soda bottles	6 months	Dump, wash, refill
HDPE 5-gallon	6-12 months	Treat or rotate
55-gallon drum	5 years	Add water preserver

Executive Summary

• Today: 3 gal/person in 2-liter bottles ($0)
• This week: 2 x 5-gal HDPE jugs per person ($30)
• This month: Sawyer Mini or LifeStraw ($20)
• Every 6 months: Check and rotate