Emergency water
Plan on 1 gallon per person per day, for drinking and cleaning (Ready.gov). Store at least three days; two weeks is better.
📖 Read the guide: how much water to store
Amounts below are for 4 people, 3 days. They are planning estimates; change any of them on your list.
Saves the 5 must-haves, 2 easy-to-forget items and 1 things to do to a list on this device. Upgrades are up to you. Then shop the list item by item and tick things off.
At a glance
- 🔎 Drinking and cleaning water12 gallons
- 🛒 Water storage container2 containers
- 🔎 Water purification tablets1 pack
- 🔎 Unscented household bleach1 bottle
- 🔎 Reusable water bottles4 bottles
🛒 1 exact products we picked · 🔎 4 Amazon searches, so you choose the brand and size.
Must-haves (5)
- Must-have
Drinking and cleaning water
1 gallon per person per day is the Red Cross and Ready.gov amount. Hot weather, nursing and illness can need more.
Get about 12 gallons
4 people × 3 days × 1 = 12 gallons · official amount
Amazon search: “gallon drinking water”
- Our pick
Water storage container
Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-gallon water container
A 7-gallon jug with a spigot for storing your own tap water.
Good for: Water at home
Get about 2 containers
2 containers for the group
For filling your own water. Two 7-gallon containers hold about 14 gallons.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Water purification tablets
CDC lists tablets and bleach for making water safe. Follow the label.
Get about 1 pack
1 pack for the group
Unscented household bleach
For cleaning, and for making water safe using CDC's amounts.
Get about 1 bottle
1 bottle for the group
Amazon search: “unscented bleach”
Reusable water bottles
Get about 4 bottles
4 people × 1 = 4 bottles
Amazon search: “reusable water bottle”
Easy to forget (2)
Collapsible water containers
Get about 2 containers
2 containers for the group
Amazon search: “collapsible water container”
Date labels for food
Get about 1 roll
1 roll for the group
Amazon search: “food date labels”
Upgrades (4)
- Our pick
55-gallon water barrel
Augason Farms 55-gallon water storage barrel
One big barrel for long-term water at home. Plan on a pump to get water out.
Good for: Two weeks or more
Get about 1 barrel
1 barrel for the group
For long plans with space to store it.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
- Our pick
Gravity water filter
LifeStraw Family gravity water purifier, 12 L
Purifies larger amounts by gravity, no power needed. The maker rates it for viruses too.
Good for: A household
Get about 1 filter
1 filter for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
- Our pick
Water bricks
WaterBrick 3.5-gallon stackable container
Stackable bricks that fit on shelves and under beds.
Good for: Small spaces
Get about 2 bricks
2 bricks for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
- Our pick
Bathtub water storage bladder
waterBOB bathtub water storage
Fills a bathtub with up to 100 gallons before a storm. Pump included.
Good for: Hurricanes
Get about 1 bladder
1 bladder for the group
Fill before a storm if officials warn of water outages.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Spend less (2)
Instead of 55-gallon water barrel:
- Our pick
Water storage container
Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-gallon water container
A 7-gallon jug with a spigot for storing your own tap water.
Good for: Water at home
Get about 2 containers
2 containers for the group
For filling your own water. Two 7-gallon containers hold about 14 gallons.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Instead of gravity water filter:
- Our pick
Personal water filter
LifeStraw personal water filter
A light straw filter for a go-bag or a hike.
Good for: Go-bags and hiking
Get about 1 filter
4 people × 0.25 = 1 filter
Our rule: one backup filter per four people. Check what a filter removes before relying on it.
- Also good: Sawyer Mini water filter ↗A small filter with a squeeze pouch and a straw.
- Upgrade: Sawyer Squeeze SP129 water filter ↗Filters more water with two 32-ounce pouches to fill.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Things to do (1)
- ✅ Rotate stored food and waterCheck dates every six months.
Official guide: Ready.gov: Water ↗
More in food and water
General planning information, not professional or medical advice. A list does not guarantee anyone’s safety. In any emergency, call your local emergency number and follow official guidance from local authorities.
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