How to Store Water for Emergencies

How to store water for emergencies and unexpected disasters. Water is one of the most essential items you will need to have if an emergency occurs. Different situations can occur at random moments that would leave thousands of people without access to water from their faucets.

Because you need water to drink and survive, storing some of it for emergencies is the wisest decision to make.

However, you need to know how to hold the water properly. When it does not get stored correctly, containers can leak, causing water damage throughout the property. If you take the proper steps and use the right storage containers for water, you can keep it stored for lengthy periods.

How much water do we need to store for emergencies?

The recommendation is 1 gallon of water per person per day. Don’t for get to store water for your pets as well.

How often should you rotate your emergency water supply?

Every 6 months. The water will not go bad but the flavor can change. Switching it out also allows to check for any leaks and defects in the containers.

What are ways of storing water?

There are many methods but the BEST one is done ahead of time and not when water is about to be turned off or unavailable.

Plastic Water Barrels in Different Sizes

Use large plastic water barrels, known as drums, to store extra water. You can find these barrels in various sizes. Some small five-gallon options are worth purchasing because they are easier to carry around and can come in handy in a pinch.

However, you may want to consider purchasing larger water barrels that can carry more than 50 gallons of water at once. Make sure your barrels are made of food grade plastic.

While these barrels take up much more space and are a lot heavier, they come in handy. If you were to end up without water access for several days, you would not have to stress over a shortage of water.
The best place to store the plastic water barrels is in a cold, dry place. If you have a basement or garage, consider keeping the water barrels in those areas.
You do not want the barrels to end up under direct sunlight because it can negatively impact the water inside these containers.
It is also ideal for storing the barrels in these places to keep them out of sight and out of the way until you end up needing them.

Large Plastic Containers

You can store water in large plastic containers, but you need to remain mindful of a few things. Some plastic materials are not great for long-term use. The plastic materials can contaminate the water, making it dangerous to consume and use for other things, such as bathing. You want to avoid dealing with that problem.

While you might think it is a good idea to store water in plastic milk jugs, this is not good at all. Those types of plastic containers were not made for long-term use. As a result, they will eventually start leaking out. If water leaks from the containers, it defeats the purpose of storing water in the first place. It can cause lots of frustration for you.

If you do plan on using plastic containers, consider adding water to F-style jugs. These jugs are durable enough to hold water for extended periods without leaking. They are easy to transport. The handle attached to the top of the jugs makes it easy to carry these containers around from one room to the next when you need to access some water.

Another great option is the water brick which you can store in closets or under beds. These stackable bricks make storing water for emergencies much easier with limited space. They can work for long term storage.

Glass Mason Jars With Lids

Do you have a lot of glass mason jars at home? You may have purchased these glass jars for canning purposes. If you have any extras, you can add filtered water to the jars and seal them shut with the lid.

Store your glass jars on shelves in the basement to keep them from falling over and breaking. Although these jars will not hold that much water, you can still use them for backup purposes. It is better to have extra water than to start running out before having access to any water inside the home again.

Large Water Tanks

The large tanks are incredibly convenient for long term water storage. These tanks take up a lot of space, so you might want to keep them in your backyard or basement. While the tanks take up extra space, they also hold hundreds of gallons of water.

If you have a large family, it is better to have one or more tanks full of water for emergencies.
The water runs out quickly when you have multiple people in the household who need it.
Some of the large tote tanks have wheels attached to them. You may want to use one with wheels to make it easier to move around when you need to do so.

If you cannot find one with wheels, consider putting the tank in an easy-access spot. Make sure the place you choose is not under direct sunlight. If you put the tank in your backyard, be sure to cover it with a large canvas tarp to keep it protected from the elements.

Plastic Individual-Serving Water Bottles

You can purchase individual water bottles in a large package at your local grocery store and save these bottles. While they are good for temporary storage, they might not work out so well for long-term storage. The plastic material could quickly end up damaged in the future, causing water to leak from the bottles.

However, if you notice that your local grocery store is having a decent sale, grab these packages of water bottles. You can end up removing the water from the individual bottles and putting them in your large barrel or tank. If you pour the water into better containers for long-term use, you can keep the water in better condition and save money.

For more of an investment but a 50 year shelf life you can get Blue Can Water.

Storing clean drinking water for different emergencies that can occur is essential. You cannot predict when something significant will happen that could cause you to lose access to the water that comes from your pipes.

Not only would you need water to stay hydrated, but you might also need it to flush your toilet and wash your body each day.

Because it is impossible to tell if something will randomly happen to cause a lack of water, learning how to safely store some for emergencies is a must. You can keep the extra water in different types of containers, including large tanks, barrels, and even glass mason jars.

No matter which method of storage you choose, store the containers in a cool, dark environment to keep the water in the best condition to use.