Unopened, commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable emergency source. Keep it in its sealed original container. This guide is about storing water that is already safe to drink—not filling reused jugs or treating questionable water.
Unopened, commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable emergency source. Keep it in its sealed original container. This guide is about storing water that is already safe to drink—not filling reused jugs or treating questionable water.
Unopened, commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable emergency source. Keep it in its sealed original container. This guide is about storing water that is already safe to drink—not filling reused jugs or treating questionable water.
Count the water, not the cases
Count the water, not the cases
Count the water, not the cases
The starting number is at least one gallon per person, per day, for three days. That covers drinking and other uses, including cooking and brushing teeth. Try to build toward a two-week supply if possible. Both figures come from the emergency water-supply guidance.
The starting number is at least one gallon per person, per day, for three days. That covers drinking and other uses, including cooking and brushing teeth. Try to build toward a two-week supply if possible. Both figures come from the emergency water-supply guidance.
The starting number is at least one gallon per person, per day, for three days. That covers drinking and other uses, including cooking and brushing teeth. Try to build toward a two-week supply if possible. Both figures come from the emergency water-supply guidance.
For one person, that means at least 3 gallons to start and 14 gallons for two weeks. For two people, it is 6 and 28 gallons. Use the package’s total volume to count gallons; “a case” is not a consistent amount.
For one person, that means at least 3 gallons to start and 14 gallons for two weeks. For two people, it is 6 and 28 gallons. Use the package’s total volume to count gallons; “a case” is not a consistent amount.
For one person, that means at least 3 gallons to start and 14 gallons for two weeks. For two people, it is 6 and 28 gallons. Use the package’s total volume to count gallons; “a case” is not a consistent amount.
Three days is a sensible first purchase, not the finish line. Two weeks is our household goal. If the full amount is beyond this week’s budget or space, write down what you have and what remains. You do not need to pretend a smaller supply is complete to make it worth starting.
Three days is a sensible first purchase, not the finish line. Two weeks is our household goal. If the full amount is beyond this week’s budget or space, write down what you have and what remains. You do not need to pretend a smaller supply is complete to make it worth starting.
Three days is a sensible first purchase, not the finish line. Two weeks is our household goal. If the full amount is beyond this week’s budget or space, write down what you have and what remains. You do not need to pretend a smaller supply is complete to make it worth starting.
These are planning minimums, not a drinking-water ration. Pregnancy, illness and hot climates can increase needs; children and nursing mothers may need more too. Account for pets separately rather than assigning every animal the same amount. Check the individual-needs guidance and the additional-water considerations when making your count.
These are planning minimums, not a drinking-water ration. Pregnancy, illness and hot climates can increase needs; children and nursing mothers may need more too. Account for pets separately rather than assigning every animal the same amount. Check the individual-needs guidance and the additional-water considerations when making your count.
These are planning minimums, not a drinking-water ration. Pregnancy, illness and hot climates can increase needs; children and nursing mothers may need more too. Account for pets separately rather than assigning every animal the same amount. Check the individual-needs guidance and the additional-water considerations when making your count.
Choose the spot before the next purchase
Choose the spot before the next purchase
Choose the spot before the next purchase
A bargain case is awkward if its only home is the hallway. Choose a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight, gasoline, pesticides and other toxic substances. The storage temperature guidance is 50–70°F; follow the bottle’s storage directions too. A hot car or sunny balcony is not the storage plan to settle for.
A bargain case is awkward if its only home is the hallway. Choose a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight, gasoline, pesticides and other toxic substances. The storage temperature guidance is 50–70°F; follow the bottle’s storage directions too. A hot car or sunny balcony is not the storage plan to settle for.
A bargain case is awkward if its only home is the hallway. Choose a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight, gasoline, pesticides and other toxic substances. The storage temperature guidance is 50–70°F; follow the bottle’s storage directions too. A hot car or sunny balcony is not the storage plan to settle for.
Keep exits clear and leave access to heaters and electrical panels. Choose somewhere everyone who needs the water can reach it. A container that one roommate can lift may be unmanageable for another. That is a good reason to choose smaller bottles, even when a larger jug looks tidier.
Keep exits clear and leave access to heaters and electrical panels. Choose somewhere everyone who needs the water can reach it. A container that one roommate can lift may be unmanageable for another. That is a good reason to choose smaller bottles, even when a larger jug looks tidier.
Keep exits clear and leave access to heaters and electrical panels. Choose somewhere everyone who needs the water can reach it. A container that one roommate can lift may be unmanageable for another. That is a good reason to choose smaller bottles, even when a larger jug looks tidier.
Water is heavy. Before moving to barrels or large tanks, ask your landlord and, where needed, a qualified structural professional about your building. An internet gallon limit cannot answer that question.
Water is heavy. Before moving to barrels or large tanks, ask your landlord and, where needed, a qualified structural professional about your building. An internet gallon limit cannot answer that question.
Water is heavy. Before moving to barrels or large tanks, ask your landlord and, where needed, a qualified structural professional about your building. An internet gallon limit cannot answer that question.
Make the supply part of the household
Make the supply part of the household
Make the supply part of the household
The More In My Basket program’s storage advice includes a useful housekeeping habit: use bottles with the closest expiration dates first. That is more useful than creating a stash nobody touches or checks.
The More In My Basket program’s storage advice includes a useful housekeeping habit: use bottles with the closest expiration dates first. That is more useful than creating a stash nobody touches or checks.
The More In My Basket program’s storage advice includes a useful housekeeping habit: use bottles with the closest expiration dates first. That is more useful than creating a stash nobody touches or checks.
Observe the expiration date on store-bought water. Put the nearest date on a note with your gallon count, and choose a reminder ahead of it. Do not cover the original labels.
Observe the expiration date on store-bought water. Put the nearest date on a note with your gallon count, and choose a reminder ahead of it. Do not cover the original labels.
Observe the expiration date on store-bought water. Put the nearest date on a note with your gallon count, and choose a reminder ahead of it. Do not cover the original labels.
If you share the apartment, agree which bottles are the reserve. When someone uses them, replace them and update the count. “There should be water somewhere” is not much of a system.
If you share the apartment, agree which bottles are the reserve. When someone uses them, replace them and update the count. “There should be water somewhere” is not much of a system.
If you share the apartment, agree which bottles are the reserve. When someone uses them, replace them and update the count. “There should be water somewhere” is not much of a system.
Start with one suitable spot and a written count. Then add what fits your budget on later shopping trips. The goal is water you actually have, can find, and keep track of—not an impressive container.
Start with one suitable spot and a written count. Then add what fits your budget on later shopping trips. The goal is water you actually have, can find, and keep track of—not an impressive container.
Start with one suitable spot and a written count. Then add what fits your budget on later shopping trips. The goal is water you actually have, can find, and keep track of—not an impressive container.
Sources
Sources
Sources
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