How much water do you need?
If the water supply is cut off or becomes unsafe to drink, it can take time for bottled water stations or deliveries to reach everyone. Having your own supply means you can wait calmly instead of joining a queue.
The basic amount
Plan on 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, and keep enough for 3 days. That is 9 litres for each person in your home.
This covers drinking only. If you can, keep some extra for:
- making up food, such as dried meals or soup
- brushing teeth and a quick wash
- pets, who need water too
- anyone who needs more than usual, such as people who are unwell, pregnant or breastfeeding, and everyone in hot weather
Water calculator
Each person needs 9 litres over 3 days.
Bottled or tap water?
Shop-bought bottled water is the simplest option. It is sealed, it stacks neatly, and the best-before date tells you when to swap it. Multipacks of 2 litre bottles are easy to count and easy to carry.
Tap water in your own containers costs almost nothing. Use clean, food-grade containers with tight lids. Don't reuse milk or juice bottles, which are hard to clean properly. Fill them straight from the kitchen cold tap, label them with the date, and replace the water every six months.
A collapsible container takes up very little room until you need it. If your water company warns that the supply may be interrupted, you can fill it from the tap while the water is still running.
Where to keep it
Store water somewhere cool and dark, away from direct sunlight. Keep it away from cleaning products, paint, petrol and anything else with a strong smell, because plastic bottles can take on odours. A cupboard, the bottom of a wardrobe or under the stairs all work well.
Keeping it fresh
- Put a reminder in your calendar to check your water every six months.
- Use the oldest bottles first in everyday life, and replace them with new ones at the back. That way nothing goes to waste.
- If a bottle is damaged, leaking or cloudy, replace it.
If you run low
Follow any advice from your water company. If you are told to boil water and can't, water purification tablets or a filter can help. Always follow the instructions on the pack.