Water: how much and how to store it

Ready.gov lists one gallon of water per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation. A three-day starting supply is three gallons per person. That is not a universal ceiling. CDC notes that needs can be higher for people who are pregnant or sick, pets and hot climates. Build a supply that fits your household, and add more when possible.

Unopened commercial bottled water is the safest and most reliable source in an emergency, according to CDC. Store it in its original sealed container in a cool, dark place. If you fill your own containers, use food-grade water-storage containers and follow CDC’s cleaning and storage directions. Avoid containers that previously held toxic chemicals. Keep water where you can reach it and check the supplies periodically.

Water concerns are not all alike. A boil-water notice, a do-not-drink notice and a do-not-use notice can require different precautions. Boiling addresses germs, but it does not make chemically contaminated water safe. During an advisory, use your water utility or local health department as the source for current instructions. Read the official pages below before choosing a treatment method.