The average American household uses 400 gallons of water each day for everything from bathing to watering their lawn. With that figure in mind we can say without a doubt that water storage is the single most important aspect of any good emergency food storage plan. Unfortunately, this key element is often overlooked. In the event of an emergency or disaster situation water is needed for hydration, food preparation, basic hygiene and first aid, etc. The human body can’t survive for very long without water, the rule of thumb is about 3 days – much shorter than the amount of time we can survive without adequate food. About a ½ gallon of drinking water is needed per person per day for basic subsistence, another ½ gallon per person is needed for basic hygiene. That’s a gallon per day per person for very basic needs.
When disaster strikes it’s likely that the public water supply will run short or be cut off completely in a short time. Your water storage needs when the public supply ends will depend in large part on your lifestyle and where you live. Even in an area with plenty of natural potable water sources like streams or springs, you’ll need to consider the cleanliness of the water during an emergency. In most disaster situations hygiene is one of the first things to go. Water sources that are normally clean can quickly become contaminated with disease, refuse, or toxins. It’s important to have enough safe water on hand for your family’s needs during a shortage.
How Much Emergency Storage Water Will You Need?
Water storage plans should take into account drinking water, food preparation (if you have freeze dried or dehydrated foods in your food storage), basic hygiene, cleaning clothing and dishes, and first aid. Each family’s needs’ will vary depending on lifestyle but in general we can calculate our water needs using the following formula:
½ gallon drinking water storage
½ gallon for food preparation (if you have freeze dried or dehydrated foods)
¼ gallon for cleaning
+ ¼ gallon for hygiene
= 1 ½ gallons per person per day
x number of people
= Total number of gallons per day
x number of days planned survival storage
= Total gallons emergency water storage
Pregnant or nursing women, children, the sick, the elderly, and those living in hot dry climates all generally need more than the daily minimum of ½ a gallon of drinking water so water storage requirements should be increased beyond the averages mentioned above.
Water Storage Options
Rigid plastic water storage containers like the popular Reliance Aqua-Tainer are easy to use and conveniently stack for storage. Available in a variety of sizes, these BPA-free, polyethylene water containers are not too big to be somewhat portable (in a vehicle, sled, wagon, etc) which can prove to be a huge asset in an emergency. These rigid plastic water storage containers are ideal for group camping and emergency preparedness. Emergency water storage is both portable and manageable in these handy favorites.
Foldable water storage containers are another popular option for emergency preparedness. These water storage containers are made of a durable but flexible food-grade polyethylene that remains foldable even in extreme cold temperatures. These conveniently collapsible and portable water storage containers are perfect for transporting and short-term water storage in an emergency situation and can be folded down and stored when not in use.
Personal water bottles with built-in filters and/or purifiers are an absolute must in any good emergency preparedness plan and have been an essential gear item for serious backcountry hikers for some time. These personal water storage bottles are equipped with purification or filter systems that clean the water of potentially harmful entities before you drink it. Even emergency drinking water storage supplies can be compromised during a disaster and care should always be taken to maintain a clean source of drinking water. Better safe than sorry!
Another popular personal water container option is the traditional Bota Bag or wineskin. The ultimate in portability, these personal drinking water storage containers are generally filled at the source and used to keep water on hand. They can usually be drank from without touching the spout, making them a very hygienic option for sharing water. They are equipped with a carry strap as well, so they are easy to carry and conveniently hang when not in use. When empty they lie flat, requiring very little storage space compared to a bottle.
Your emergency water storage should be kept in clean, closed containers in a cool, dry place. If you’ve purchased bottled water be sure to observe the expiration or ‘use by’ date printed on the bottle. If you’ve bottled your own water, date the bottles and be sure to check and replace them every 6 months.
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