Emergency Water Storage Supplies for Home and Travel Preparedness

Water is life. We can't do without it. The average person can go 3-5 days without water.¹ Have you had a short-term emergency and realized how ill-prepared you really were? Imagine if you had a real emergency where you didn't have easy access to a clean drinking water supply long term?

You can take steps to avert disaster whether you're caught in an earthquake or hurricane or simply make life easier when you and your family are facing a smaller emergency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends you have at least a 3-day supply of food and water on hand to get through hard times. FEMA suggests that you should store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking and washing.

You can buy bottled water for the 3-day supply or longer, but because of the cost, many people like to buy emergency water storage containers to store their own. Below are some options for water storage for home and travel.

The 5-gallon water bottles you're used to are good for short-term storage for a few days, but not long term, especially for the average family of four. But what if you don't have the space for a huge water tank?

Consider these water containers that hold 55 gallons. They will fit in your basement or other storage area long term as well as your camping and hunting property.

You may want one with a siphon to make it easier to get the water from it. Some barrels come with the siphon or you can purchase one separately. Depending on the type of barrel, you may also need a bung wrench to open the water drum.

Below, I've listed options for water purification. Even if you're storing water from your tap, water purification for long-term storage is a good idea.

Rain barrels won't usually be for storing drinking water unless you're desperate.  But if you're in a situation where water and food is in short supply and you've started growing your own food, you'll need an easy way to water your garden.

Rain barrels can be part of that system and in that sense they would be considered emergency water storage containers too. You have the option of something more utilitarian looking or something a little more decorative and less conspicuous depending on your taste and home style.

You may have heard of the term bug-out bag. This is a bag you keep on hand full of at least a 3-day supply of emergency essentials including food, clothing and first-aid items for each family member if you have to leave your home. Along with bottled water, some sort of receptacle for water should be part of this bag when you run out of your supply.

Lighter containers are also good to have on hand for the home. Sometimes you may be aware of having to go without water such as a storm warning. You can fill up every pot or gallon jug you have in the house, but having a few of these on hand wouldn't hurt even if you've got some 5-gallon jugs of water stashed away already. You can never be over prepared when it comes to storing water.  This would be great to keep in your automobile emergency kit.

Below, I've listed containers that are either collapsible for easy storage or rigid. I've included a collapsible bucket if you find yourself having to gather water from an external source.

As I mentioned above, even if you're storing water from the tap, you may want to consider using a preservation agent for long-term storage as harmful bacteria can still be in the container. Below, are some options for tap water preservation as well as those familiar tablets you see for camping. You'll want to have a supply of both and keep the camping purification tablets in your bug-out bag.

If you have to use your emergency storage water from barrels, you may want an extra line of defense and use a simple filter system like a Brita pitcher before you drink it. I've also included a portable filter system to include in your bag.

Isn't all this talk of emergency storage really just a sign of a doom and gloom attitude? I don't think so. Even if you don't consider yourself a survivalist, I believe in being prepared the best that you can for emergency situations.  Think about the area you live in.  If there is even a short power outage, the gas stations and stores near you that you think you can just pop into and grab some bottled water may be closed or sold out because everyone else in your neighborhood was thinking the same thing.

It's true that we all need a little help sometimes from outside sources and there's no shame in that. But FEMA's suggestion for at least a 3-day supply of food and water is more than reasonable to keep your family from having to seek that help when they may be already going through physical or emotional stress.

One of my favorite places to buy emergency preparedness gear is Emergency Essentials. Along with water storage supplies, you'll find hundreds of other items including long-term food storage supplies. For more info, visit the Emergency Essentials website.

Source consulted:

1. Bryant, Charles W. Living Without Water. Discovery Health, accessed 2010.