Emergency water storage is the practice of keeping treated, sealed drinking water on hand before a disaster disrupts municipal supply. FEMA's 1 gallon per person per day is a survival minimum; 2 gallons per person per day is more realistic once you account for cooking, hygiene, and pets.
Written by Mike, a union electrical lineman with 21+ years on the job and mutual aid deployments after Sandy, California wildfires, Texas winter storms, and Gulf Coast hurricanes.
FEMA recommends storing at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. — Ready.gov — Water
FEMA recommends 1 gallon per person per day as a minimum. In practice, 2 gallons per person per day is more realistic once you account for cooking, basic hygiene, and pets. For a family of 4 building a 2-week supply, that's 112 gallons.
Commercially sealed water has a shelf life of about 2 years but remains safe longer if stored properly. Tap water in clean, sealed containers stays safe for 6–12 months in a cool, dark location. Rotate every 6–12 months.
Yes — rinsed 2-liter soda bottles are one of the best DIY water storage options. They're food-grade PET plastic and seal well. Avoid milk jugs — protein residue promotes bacterial growth. Label with the fill date and store away from light and heat.
At 2 gallons per person per day: one person needs 28 gallons for 2 weeks. A family of 4 needs 112 gallons. Two 55-gallon barrels plus a filtration backup like a Berkey covers stored supply and treatment.