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Emergency Water Storage

GridReady Guide editorial team · Updated September 2026

Some outages also disrupt pumps, treatment or household wells. Stored drinking water provides a buffer while you confirm local conditions.

Plan for people, pets and conditions

Your needs vary with household size, climate, activity and health. Follow local emergency-management guidance for quantities and storage.

Rotate and protect supplies

Use food-grade containers and follow manufacturer or public-health guidance for storage and replacement.

Keep reading: 7-day outage plan
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Updated: September 26, 2026

How much emergency water should you store? CDC recommends storing at least 1 gallon (about 3.8 liters) per person per day for at least 3 days, with more where possible and extra for people who are pregnant or sick, pets, hot climates and other needs.
Emergency water storage diagram covering quantity, containers and rotation

Choose the safest practical source

CDC identifies unopened commercially bottled water as the safest and most reliable emergency source. For water stored in your own containers, use appropriate food-grade containers and follow CDC cleaning, labeling and storage guidance.

Do not assume a blackout means tap water is unsafe

Water-system impacts vary. Follow your local water utility and public-health authority. If a boil-water or do-not-drink advisory is issued, follow that specific instruction; different advisories require different responses.

Example: A four-person household using the CDC minimum would store at least 12 gallons for three days. That is a baseline for drinking, cooking and basic uses—not a promise that every household's needs are identical.

Water needs vary

The CDC one-gallon-per-person-per-day figure is a preparedness baseline, not a universal cap. Hot weather, illness, pregnancy, pets and some medical needs can increase requirements. Water may also be needed for food preparation and hygiene, so households with storage space can benefit from planning beyond the minimum three-day amount.

Do not use containers that previously held toxic chemicals. Keep stored water away from substances such as gasoline or pesticides, and follow CDC guidance for cleaning and sanitizing storage containers. If public officials issue emergency treatment instructions, use those current instructions rather than a generic treatment recipe.

Sources and further reading