# Emergency water storage: how much and how

> How much water to store for emergencies (one gallon per person per day), who needs more, how to bottle tap water safely and when to replace it, from Ready.gov.

- Canonical URL: https://72hourkit.com/emergency-water-storage/
- Source: [Ready.gov, storing water in plastic soda bottles](https://www.ready.gov/storing-water-plastic-soda-bottles)
- Checked: 2026-10-25
- Structured data: https://72hourkit.com/data/emergency-water-storage.json

This page includes a free interactive tool that runs in the browser and sends no data. The figures and rules it uses are the ones stated on this page, with their sources.

## How much

One gallon per person per day, for drinking and sanitation ([Ready.gov](https://www.ready.gov/kit)). Plan 3 days for a go-bag and 2 weeks at home ([Red Cross](https://redcross.org/kit)).

| Household | 3 days | 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 gallons | 14 gallons |
| 2 people | 6 gallons | 28 gallons |
| Family of 4 | 12 gallons | 56 gallons |

A gallon is about two quarts to drink and two for food preparation and hygiene. Hot weather and hard work can double what a person drinks, and children, nursing mothers and people who are ill need more ([Ready Illinois](https://Ready.Illinois.Gov/plan/water.html)). Add water for pets.

## Store-bought or your own bottles

**Commercially bottled water** is the simplest: keep it sealed, in a cool dark place, and use it by its date.

**Bottling tap water yourself** works if you do it properly ([Ready.gov](https://www.ready.gov/storing-water-plastic-soda-bottles)):

1. Wash plastic soda bottles with dish soap and rinse well.
2. Sanitize with 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach in a quart of water, swirl, then rinse.
3. Fill to the top with tap water. Treated city water needs nothing more; well water needs two drops of unscented bleach per bottle and 30 minutes standing (Ready.gov's soda-bottle method).
4. Cap tightly, label with the date and store somewhere cool and dark.
5. **Replace it every six months.**


## Working out bottles

A gallon is 128 fluid ounces, so 16.9 oz bottles go about 7.6 to the gallon. The calculator converts your total into jugs, bottles and cases of 24.

## Containers and treatment

Sealed cases of bottled water are the simplest store. For larger amounts, food-grade water containers with taps make two weeks practical, and water purification tablets are a backup, available at most sporting goods stores, as Ready.gov notes.

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