When it comes to emergency preparedness, water is the most critical resource to have on hand. While food is essential, humans can survive far longer without it than without water. Let’s dive into the essentials of water storage—how much you need, the best ways to store it, and how to ensure it stays safe and drinkable over time.
Why You Need to Store Water
Your household water supply can be disrupted by surprisingly common events: roadwork, broken water mains, local contamination, flooding, or even a plumbing mishap at home. These disruptions remind us just how vulnerable our access to water can be. Being prepared ensures you won’t be caught off guard when clean water becomes unavailable.
Affordable Water Storage Options
One of the most cost-effective ways to store water is in 55-gallon or 30-gallon drums. These are far cheaper than relying on store-bought bottled water. To illustrate the savings:
- A single large 33.8 oz. bottle of water costs about $1.38.
- Storing 30 gallons of bottled water would cost approximately $156.78.
- Meanwhile, filling a 30-gallon drum with tap water costs just 12 cents.
Similarly, a 55-gallon drum of tap water costs 22 cents, compared to nearly $287 for bottled water. While the initial investment in a drum and pump might seem steep, these tools are durable and can last a lifetime—unlike disposable water bottles.
DIY Water Storage Tips
If you prefer smaller containers, you can fill your own bottles at home, but be mindful of the materials:
- Avoid milk jugs. They’re biodegradable and will eventually break down, leading to leaks.
- Think twice about soda bottles. These can absorb flavors, leaving your water with an unpleasant aftertaste.
- Reusing water bottles? While convenient, most store-bought water bottles are made of thin, single-use plastic that’s not built to last.
The ideal choice is polyethylene-based plastics. Look for blue-colored drums—a clear indicator they’re food-safe and BPA-free.
How Much Water Should You Store?
The general rule of thumb is to store one gallon of water per person, per day:
- ½ gallon for drinking
- ½ gallon for hygiene
Here’s what that looks like:
- 3 days’ supply: Covers minor disruptions.
- 2 weeks’ supply: Sufficient for most natural disasters.
- 1 year’s supply: Prepared for major societal disruptions.
Plan your storage based on the size of your household and the types of emergencies you’re preparing for.
Important Water Storage Tips
- Use the Right Hose: Never fill your drum with a standard garden hose, as these often contain harmful chemicals. Instead, opt for a drinking water hose, such as the Camco TastePURE 50’ Drinking Water Hose, which is both safe and affordable. You can find one of these hoses for around $10-20 bucks on Amazon depending on the length!
- Adapt Your Faucet: Filling a drum can be tricky if your nearest faucet isn’t hose-compatible. Thankfully, inexpensive adapters can connect a drinking water hose to almost any faucet in your home.
- Treat Your Water for Long-Term Storage:
- Chlorinated tap water can often store safely for years.
- For extra peace of mind, add 2 tablespoons of household bleach to a 55-gallon drum. This helps kill bacteria, though it will leave a chlorine taste.
- For better-tasting, long-lasting water, consider a stabilized oxygen water treatment. These treatments keep water pure for years without altering its flavor. They’re available online and cost about $15 for a 55-gallon drum.