Emergency water containers compared
The short answer
For most homes, a mix works best. Sealed store-bought bottles are the easiest: the CDC calls unopened, commercially bottled water the safest emergency source. Add food-grade containers you fill from the tap and refresh every 6 months. Avoid milk and juice jugs, glass, cardboard and anything that held chemicals.
Containers at a glance
| Container | Holds | Weight full | Good for | Watch out for | Replace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case of 24 bottles (16.9 fl oz) | 3.2 gal | 26 lb | Any home. Sealed and easy to share out | Takes a lot of shelf space for the amount | Date on the bottle |
| 1-gallon store jugs | 1 gal | 8 lb | Cabinets, carrying | Thin plastic. Some people report leaks after long storage, so check them now and then | Date on the jug |
| Clean 2-liter soda bottles | 0.5 gal | 4.5 lb | Free and sturdy. Ready.gov recommends them | Clean them well before filling | Every 6 months |
| 5-gallon food-grade jugs | 5 gal | 42 lb | Lots of water in little floor space | Heavy to move. You'll want a spigot or a pump | Every 6 months |
| Stackable water bricks | Up to 3.5 gal | Up to 29 lb | Closets, under beds, stacking | Check the maker says they're food-grade | Every 6 months |
| 55-gallon drums | 55 gal | 460 lb | Garages and ground floors | Can't be moved when full and need a pump. Not for apartments | Every 6 months |
| Emergency water pouches | Single servings | Light | Car kits and go-bags | Small amounts, so you'd need a lot for a home supply | Date on the package |
"Every 6 months" applies to water you fill yourself, as the CDC and Ready.gov advise. To size your supply, start with the water storage calculator.
Containers to avoid
- Milk and fruit juice jugs or cartons. Ready.gov says the proteins and sugars can't be fully removed and can encourage bacteria to grow.
- Cardboard containers. They leak easily and aren't made for storing liquids long term (Ready.gov).
- Glass. It breaks and it's heavy (Ready.gov).
- Anything that held toxic chemicals, such as bleach or pesticides (CDC).
What "food-grade" means
The CDC recommends "FDA-approved food-grade" containers, which you can find at surplus or camping supply stores. If you're not sure whether a container is food-grade, ask the manufacturer. If you can't get one, choose a container with a tight lid, made of something that won't break (not glass), and with a narrow opening if possible.
How to clean and fill your own containers
These are the CDC's steps:
- Wash the container with soap and water, then rinse it completely.
- Sanitize it. Mix 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach (5–9% sodium hypochlorite) into 1 quart (4 cups) of water. Pour it in, cover the container and shake it so the solution touches every inside surface.
- Wait at least 30 seconds, then pour the solution out.
- Let the empty container air-dry.
- Fill it with clean water and close it with a tight lid.
- Label it "drinking water" with the date, and store it at 50–70°F, away from sunlight and chemicals.
Tap water from a public system that's already treated with chlorine needs nothing added, according to Ready.gov. Well water or untreated water needs bleach: follow Ready.gov's instructions.
When you use the water, pour it out or use a clean scoop each time, and don't touch the water or the inside of the container with your hands (CDC).
How long does stored water last?
Replace water you store yourself every 6 months (CDC, Ready.gov). For store-bought water, follow the date printed on the bottle (CDC). Mark the fill date on each container (our label maker prints the labels), and let the calculator put the replace-by date in your calendar.
Heat and freezing
Heat and sunlight break the CDC's 50–70°F rule, so a hot garage, an attic or a car isn't a good spot for long-term storage. Freezing is a different problem: water expands by about 9% when it turns to ice, which can split a full, rigid container. If a storage spot can freeze, leave some space at the top of each container or choose a warmer spot.
How many containers do you need?
Start with 1 gallon per person per day. A family of 4 needs 56 gallons for 2 weeks: about 12 five-gallon jugs or 18 cases of bottles. The calculator works it out for your household, including pets and hot weather. Short on space? See water storage for apartments and small spaces.