Before you begin. This procedure is general reference information, not professional advice. Equipment varies by manufacturer, model, and year. Always follow the documentation supplied with your equipment — where it differs from this page, follow the manufacturer. Verify that you have the tools, the working conditions, and the ability to do this task safely. If anything is unclear, if the equipment is damaged, or if the task exceeds your experience, stop and use a qualified professional. You are responsible for your own safety and for the outcome. This site accepts no liability for any loss, damage, or injury arising from the use of this information.
Specifications marked unverified could not be traced to a manufacturer source. Do not rely on them — obtain the value from your equipment documentation.
Summary
An emergency water supply is water you keep on hand for a disaster or a service failure. The CDC recommends 1 gallon of water per person per day, with a minimum of 3 days and a target of 2 weeks stored at all times. The hard part is not buying the water — it is keeping track of it and replacing it before it goes stale. Bottled water takes care of itself until the expiration date. Water you fill into containers yourself needs to be replaced every 6 months, which is why this page is as much about the calendar as it is about the containers. A storage routine that works is the routine you do the same day every six months, and this page gives you the steps to set that up.
Necessary equipment
| Item | Note |
|---|---|
| Food-grade water storage containers | The FDA approved them for food. Buy them from a camping or surplus store. |
| Bleach for sanitization | The bleach must have no scent. It must contain 5 to 9 percent sodium hypochlorite. |
| Measuring spoon | A teaspoon is the unit for the sanitization solution. |
| Marker or label writer | Write the storage date on each container. |
| Thermometer | Know the temperature of the storage place. |
| Calendar or reminder app | Set a reminder for the six-month rotation date. |
| Clean scoop or cup | Never put your hand in stored water. |
| Drinking water material | CDC gives 1 gallon for each person for each day. |
Calculate the quantity of water you need
Estimated 3 min
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-08-03
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-08-03
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-08-03
- Count the persons in your household.1mReport a problem with step 1, Calculate the quantity of water you need
- Include yourself and every person who lives with you.
- Include a person who stays with you frequently.
- Write the quantity in gallons for a 2-week supply.2mReport a problem with step 2, Calculate the quantity of water you need
- CDC gives 1 gallon for each person for each day.
- A household of three persons needs 42 gallons for 2 weeks.
- Multiply the number of persons by 14 days.
Obtain containers and fill them with water
Estimated 29 min to 1 hr 34 min
USE ONLY A CONTAINER THAT THE FDA APPROVED FOR FOOD.
A container that held bleach, pesticide or gasoline will contaminate the water.
- Get containers that are food-grade for water storage.15mReport a problem with step 1, Obtain containers and fill them with water
- Buy the containers from a camping supply store or surplus store.
- Do not use a container that held bleach, pesticide, gasoline or any other chemical.
- Select containers with tight-fitting lids.3mReport a problem with step 2, Obtain containers and fill them with water
- A container must close tightly so the water stays clean.
- Narrow openings are better than wide openings.
- Do not use glass containers.1mReport a problem with step 3, Obtain containers and fill them with water
- Glass is breakable and dangerous.
- Select a container made of plastic or another unbreakable material.
- Fill the containers with tap water.10mReport a problem with step 4, Obtain containers and fill them with water
- Use water from your household tap.
- Fill each container to the top.
Prepare containers for long storage
Estimated 20 min to 1 hr 38 min
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-08-03
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-08-03
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-08-03
- Wash each container with soap and rinse it with water.5mReport a problem with step 1, Prepare containers for long storage
- Clean the inside and the outside.
- Rinse until no soap remains.
- Sanitize each empty container with a bleach solution.3mReport a problem with step 2, Prepare containers for long storage
- Mix 1 teaspoon of bleach in 1 quart of water.
- The bleach must have no scent and contain 5 to 9 percent sodium hypochlorite.
- Pour the solution into the container.
WRITE THE WORDS DRINKING WATER AND THE DATE ON EVERY CONTAINER.
A label tells you the storage date and the container purpose.
- Let the bleach solution touch all inside surfaces of the container.2mReport a problem with step 3, Prepare containers for long storage
- Cover the container.
- Shake the container until the solution covers all the inside surfaces.
- Wait at least 30 seconds.
KEEP THE STORED WATER AWAY FROM DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND TOXIC CHEMICALS.
Fumes from gasoline, pesticide and bleach can pass through the container wall and poison the water.
- Pour the bleach solution out and let the container air-dry.5mReport a problem with step 4, Prepare containers for long storage
- Do not rinse the inside of the container.
- Let it dry in the air.
- This process takes about 1 hour.
- Fill each clean container with tap water.5mReport a problem with step 5, Prepare containers for long storage
- Fill each container to the top.
- Close the lid tightly.
Store the water in a safe place
Estimated 6 min to 10 min
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-08-03
DO NOT PUT YOUR HAND IN THE STORED WATER.
Remove water with a clean scoop or cup.
- Find a storage place that is cool and dry.3mReport a problem with step 1, Store the water in a safe place
- The storage place must stay between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- A basement, a pantry or a closet is a good choice.
- Do not store the water in direct sunlight.
- Keep the containers away from toxic substances.3mReport a problem with step 2, Store the water in a safe place
- Do not keep the water near gasoline.
- Do not keep the water near pesticides or cleaning supplies.
- Fumes can pass through the container wall and contaminate the water.
Track the rotation date
Estimated 5 min to 9 min
- Write the storage date on each container with a permanent marker.3mReport a problem with step 1, Track the rotation date
- Write the text DRINKING WATER on each container.
- Write the date you filled the container.
- Use a format like 2026-08-03.
- Set a reminder on a calendar or a reminder app for 6 months from the storage date.2mReport a problem with step 2, Track the rotation date
- The reminder is when you will replace the water.
- CDC gives 6 months as the replacement interval for water you fill yourself.
Replace the stored water
Estimated 22 min to 1 hr 20 min
Source: How to Create an Emergency Water Supply · tier 1 · accessed 2026-08-03
- Open the oldest containers first.2mReport a problem with step 1, Replace the stored water
- Look at the dates you wrote on each container.
- Start with the containers that have the earliest dates.
- Use the old water or let it go to waste.5mReport a problem with step 2, Replace the stored water
- You can water plants or wash the car with it.
- Do not pour large quantities into a drain at once.
- Wash and sanitize the empty containers.10mReport a problem with step 3, Replace the stored water
- Follow the same steps as in the prepare section.
- Wash the container. Sanitize it. Rinse it. Dry it. Refill it.
- Fill the containers with fresh tap water.5mReport a problem with step 4, Replace the stored water
- Write the new storage date on each container.
- Set the reminder for 6 months from the new date.
Terminology
This page uses one term for each item and holds it throughout, as ASD-STE100 requires. Equipment sellers and other guides use the names below for the same parts.
- emergency drinking water supply
- Also called: emergency water, stored water, backup water, water supply, drinking water storage
- food-grade container
- Also called: food container, water container, water bottle, storage container, FDA approved container
- rotation
- Also called: replace, refresh, change, update, swap out
- sanitize
- Also called: disinfect, clean, sterilize, wash
- sodium hypochlorite
- Also called: chlorine bleach, liquid bleach, unscented bleach
When to use a professional
Stop if you believe the water holds contamination. Do not treat the water yourself. Speak to the local health department or your water utility. A health professional must test the water to decide if it is safe to drink.
Common questions
How much water should I store for my family?
The CDC recommends at least 1 gallon per person per day for a minimum of 3 days. For a 2-week supply, calculate the number of people in your household times 14 days times 1 gallon. A family of four would need 56 gallons for 2 weeks. Store more if someone is pregnant, ill, has a medical condition, or if you live in a hot climate.
Can I use any container to store drinking water?
No. You must use containers that the FDA approved for food. Never use containers that held bleach, pesticides, gasoline or other chemicals, because fumes and residue can contaminate the water through the container walls. Avoid glass containers because they break easily and can cause injury. Choose containers with tight-fitting lids and narrow openings when possible.
How do I know if my stored water is still safe to drink?
Unopened, properly stored commercial bottled water is safe until the expiration date on the bottle. Water you fill and store yourself is safe for 6 months from the date you filled it, according to CDC guidance. After 6 months, you should replace it. If the container is visibly damaged, leaking, or the water smells or tastes unusual, discard it. If you are uncertain, do not drink it.
Can I store water in the same containers from year to year?
Yes, as long as you follow the proper cleaning and sanitization steps. Wash each container with soap and water, then sanitize it with a bleach solution (1 teaspoon of unscented bleach containing 5-9 percent sodium hypochlorite in 1 quart of water). Let the solution contact all inside surfaces for at least 30 seconds, then pour it out and let the container air-dry before refilling. This process removes any bacteria or contamination.
Where is the best place to store emergency water?
Store water in a cool, dry place between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight. Good locations include basements, pantries, closets or storage rooms. Keep the containers away from toxic substances such as gasoline, pesticides, cleaning supplies and other chemicals. Fumes from these materials can contaminate the water through the container walls over time.
Related procedures
- What to put in a home emergency kit and how much of it
- How to get the house ready for a storm and a power outage
- What do I do during a boil water notice, and what do I do once it is lifted?
Sources
Every specification on this page is traced to one of these sources. Tier 1 is a manufacturer document, a published standard, or a government safety authority. See Standards for the full tiering rule.
Revision history
Current version 1 · updated 2026-08-03 · next review due 2027-08-03
- v1 · 2026-08-03First draft. CDC How to Create an Emergency Water Supply page (accessed 2026-08-03) provides the specifications for water quantity, storage duration, rotation interval, container types, bleach sanitization procedures, and storage conditions. All specifications are verified against CDC tier-1 source. EPA emergency disinfection page consulted for supplementary bleach guidance but not used for specifications because CDC guidance is sufficient and current.
Corrections to this page are listed in the public corrections log. Reports that are credible and not yet verified are listed in the public errata register, and an open one renders above the step it concerns.
Comments and corrections
Found an error? A correction with a manufacturer source is applied and logged publicly. You can also write to corrections@fixchecklist.com.
Every step above carries its own report control, which tags the report with that step so a correction reaches the right place. For anything about the procedure as a whole — the order of the sections, a step that is missing, something that did not match your equipment — use this: report something about this whole procedure.