Storing water the simple way

Water is one of the most useful things to have on hand during an outage or a boil-water notice. The good news: storing it is simple, and you can start small.

How much to aim for

A common starting point is about one gallon per person per day, for at least a few days. That covers drinking and some basic cooking and washing. Count pets too, and add a little extra if you live somewhere hot.

Choose a container that fits your space

Store-bought bottled water is the easiest place to start. If you'd like to fill your own, use containers made for drinking water. A collapsible jug with a spout, like the CoreMuse 2.1-gallon water jug, holds about two days of water for one person and folds flat when empty. Avoid milk jugs, which can break down over time.

Where to keep it

Pick a cool, dark spot away from chemicals and direct sunlight — a closet floor, under a bed, or a basement shelf. Full containers are heavy, so store them low and somewhere you can reach.

Keep it fresh

Clean containers before filling them, label each with the date, and refresh home-filled water about every six months. Pairing the reminder with daylight saving time changes makes it easy to remember.

A backup for filtering

A personal filter, such as the LifeStraw personal water filter, can be a lightweight backup to keep with your kit. It is not a cure-all: personal filters don't remove every contaminant, such as chemicals or salt, so read the instructions, use it as a backup to stored water, and follow local boil-water or safety notices.

Some options to consider

These are suggestions based on features and common use, not products we've personally tested.