How much water to store for an emergency
3 min read
Water is the one thing you can’t improvise. The good news: the numbers are simple, and a three-day reserve fits in a cupboard.
In short
- Plan on 2 litres per person per day: 1.5 to drink, 0.5 to cook (Germany’s BBK).
- For 72 hours, that’s 6 litres per person — the same figure the French government guide gives.
- Store sealed bottled water somewhere cool and dark, and check dates twice a year.
- Keep purification tablets or a filter as a back-up, not as a replacement for the reserve.
The number to remember
Official guidance lands on very similar figures. Germany’s BBK says an adult needs at least 1.5 litres of liquid a day, plus 0.5 litres if you want to cook. Catalonia’s civil protection service asks for at least 1.5 litres per person per day. The French guide Tous responsables rounds it up to 6 litres per person for 72 hours.
| Household | 3 days (EU minimum) | 10 days (BBK ideal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 6 L | 20 L |
| 2 people | 12 L | 40 L |
| 3 people | 18 L | 60 L |
| 4 people | 24 L | 80 L |
When you need more
- Heat and effort. In a heatwave, or if you’re clearing up after a storm, you’ll drink more.
- Babies, pregnancy, illness. Plan extra for anyone who needs it, and for preparing infant formula.
- Pets. Catalonia’s civil protection service reminds pet owners to keep water, food and bowls for several days for them too.
- Hygiene. These figures cover drinking and cooking only. If a disruption is announced, filling clean containers — or the bath — gives you water for washing and flushing.
How to store it
- Sealed bottled water is the simplest option: it keeps for a long time and needs no preparation.
- Store it somewhere cool and dark, away from cleaning products and fuel.
- Rotate it. Check the dates when you check the rest of your kit — twice a year — and drink the oldest bottles first.
- If you store tap water, use clean containers meant for food or drink, close them well and renew the water regularly.
- Split it between a few places if you can, so one leak or broken shelf doesn’t take it all.
When the reserve runs out
A back-up for making water safe is useful: purification tablets or a compact filter. The French guide lists tablets “as a last resort”. Follow the instructions on the pack for doses and waiting times, and remember that neither tablets nor most filters remove chemical pollution.
Why the water stays at home
Six litres per person weigh six kilos. No backpack can carry three days of water for a household and still be something you can grab and go. That is why a go bag carries a bottle, a collapsible container and a way to purify, while the reserve stays at home. More in go bag vs home supplies.
The 72H Kit
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