If we have a war, will you have enough water? When conflict disrupts a region, the first systems to fail are often the ones we rely on most: power grids, supply chains, and municipal water infrastructure. Within hours of a major attack or civil disruption, store shelves empty and taps run dry. The households that survive the early chaos are rarely the ones with the most weapons. They are the ones with water.
This post covers everything you need to know about storing water before a crisis hits, how much you actually need, what containers to use, how to keep stored water safe, and what to do when your supply runs low.
WaterBricks and Spigots
5-Gallon Water Jugs Military Grade
Why Water Is the First Casualty of War
Water treatment plants depend on electricity, chemical deliveries, and staff showing up to work. In wartime or large-scale civil unrest, all three of those dependencies break down quickly. Pumping stations are disabled. Chemical supply routes are severed. Workers evacuate. The result is a rapid collapse of running water for millions of people who have no backup plan.
History bears this out repeatedly. During the 1990s siege of Sarajevo, residents went months without reliable water service. During conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Ukraine, water infrastructure has been deliberately targeted. In the United States, even short-term emergencies like hurricanes and ice storms have knocked out water access for hundreds of thousands of people for days or weeks.
The good news is that water storage is one of the most straightforward and affordable forms of emergency preparedness available. You don’t need a bunker or a farmstead. You need a plan, the right containers, and the discipline to maintain your supply.
How Much Water Do You Actually Need?
The standard recommendation from FEMA and the Red Cross is one gallon of water per person per day. That number covers drinking and basic sanitation. In a hot climate, during physical exertion, or for someone who is ill or pregnant, that number should be closer to two gallons per person per day. By now, you know I recommend 4 gallons per person per day. You decide what works for you.
Don’t forget your pets. A medium-sized dog needs roughly half a gallon per day to stay properly hydrated. Cats need less, but still require clean water daily.
| Household Size | Minimum (2 weeks) | Recommended (30 days) | Extended (90 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 14 gallons | 30 gallons | 90 gallons |
| 2 people | 28 gallons | 60 gallons | 180 gallons |
| 4 people | 56 gallons | 120 gallons | 360 gallons |
| 6 people | 84 gallons | 180 gallons | 540 gallons |
Most emergency planning experts consider two weeks the bare minimum. A 30-day supply is more practical for serious preparedness. If you live in a region with elevated geopolitical risk or are preparing for a prolonged conflict, a 90-day supply provides your household with a meaningful buffer.
The Best Containers for Long-Term Water Storage
Not all containers are suitable for long-term water storage. Choosing the wrong container can lead to contamination, chemical leaching, or water that becomes undrinkable within months.
Food-grade plastic containers
Look for containers labeled with HDPE (high-density polyethylene), typically marked with recycling code 2. These are rigid, durable, and don’t leach chemicals into the water over time. Avoid containers that previously held non-food products, even if cleaned thoroughly.
Water storage barrels
Blue 55-gallon barrels are a popular choice for households with space to store them. They are cost-effective on a per-gallon basis and are specifically designed for water. You’ll need a hand pump or siphon to access the water, and the barrels are very heavy when full (roughly 460 pounds), so placement needs to be considered before filling.
Stackable water containers
Five-gallon and seven-gallon stackable containers offer a practical middle ground. They’re manageable when full, stackable to save space, and easy to rotate. Many preparedness households use a combination of large barrels and smaller containers.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel tanks are the premium option. They don’t degrade over time, don’t leach anything into the water, and are resistant to heat and impact. The main drawback is cost. For most households, stainless steel makes sense as a supplementary option rather than the primary storage method.
What to avoid
Never use milk jugs or juice containers for long-term water storage. The plastic degrades, and the residual sugars encourage bacterial growth. Glass is fine for small quantities but impractical at scale. Don’t use containers that previously held bleach, gasoline, or any chemical not intended for food contact.
How to Store Water Safely
Stored water doesn’t expire in the way food does, but it can become contaminated or develop an unpleasant taste if not handled correctly.
Start with the right water
Tap water from a municipal supply is already treated and is safe to store directly in clean containers. If you’re filling them from a well or an untreated source, you’ll need to treat the water first before storing it. I personally won’t drink or cook with our municipal water. I only use reverse osmosis water. We have had too many city water issues in Utah, where people had to boil their water.
Add a small amount of bleach
If you’re storing municipal tap water in thoroughly cleaned containers, no additional treatment is necessary. However, adding a small amount of unscented liquid chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite at 8.25%) provides an extra margin of safety. The standard recommendation is about eight drops per gallon of water.
Seal containers completely
Exposure to air introduces contaminants and accelerates the growth of algae and bacteria. Ensure all containers are sealed with their original caps or airtight lids. Never leave stored water open or loosely covered.
Store away from light and heat
Ultraviolet light degrades plastic containers over time and can promote algae growth even in treated water. Store your water in a cool, dark location. A basement, interior closet, or garage corner that doesn’t get direct sunlight is ideal. Avoid storing near pesticides, gasoline, or other chemicals whose fumes can permeate certain plastics.
Rotate your supply
Even properly stored water should be rotated every six to twelve months. This doesn’t mean throwing it away. Use it for watering plants, cleaning, or laundry, and replace it with fresh water. Rotation keeps your supply fresh and ensures you stay in the habit of maintaining your preparedness.
Water Purification Methods for When Your Supply Runs Low
No matter how much water you store, circumstances may eventually require you to treat and use water from alternative sources. Every prepared household should have at least one purification method available in addition to their stored supply.
Boiling
Boiling is the most reliable low-tech method for killing pathogens. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. At elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes. Boiling doesn’t remove chemical contaminants or heavy metals, but it effectively eliminates biological threats.
Chemical treatment tablets
Iodine tablets and chlorine dioxide tablets are compact, affordable, and effective. They work well for treating water from streams, ponds, or questionable tap sources. Follow the instructions on the package, as treatment times vary depending on water temperature and clarity. Chemical tablets are ideal as a backup to your primary purification method.
Gravity filtration systems
Countertop gravity filters, such as the Berkey or similar systems, are one of the most practical choices for home use during an extended emergency. They require no electricity, filter out bacteria, parasites, viruses, and many chemical contaminants, and can process several gallons per hour. A quality gravity filter is a worthwhile investment for any serious preparedness plan.
Battery-powered water filters
The products and accessories from PortaWell (www.myportawell.com) have proven to be excellent, particularly when it comes to higher volume output. They can filter up to 60 gallons per hour. They run on a rechargeable battery that can be charged from a wall outlet or accessory solar panels. They tend to cost more than gravity-fed systems, but they can supply you with much more filtered water when needed. The name PortaWell implies the system can be moved. The battery is a 12-volt unit, much like your car battery. Hard for kids to move, but most adults can handle it.
Portable water filters
Straw-style filters and squeeze filters are lightweight and effective for filtering water on the move. They’re excellent to keep in a go-bag or vehicle kit. Most portable filters are rated for hundreds of gallons of use before replacement.
Solar disinfection (SODIS)
In a low-resource setting, clear plastic bottles filled with water and left in direct sunlight for 6 hours (or 2 days under cloudy conditions) can eliminate most biological contaminants. This method is slow and weather-dependent, but requires no equipment beyond a clear container.
Alternative Water Sources to Know About Now
Before a crisis arrives, identify the water sources available near your home. This knowledge could be critical if your stored supply is depleted and normal resupply is not possible.
- Rainwater collection using barrels, tarps, or dedicated catchment systems
- Natural streams, rivers, and ponds in your area (all require purification)
- Swimming pools and hot tubs (store large quantities; need treatment before drinking)
- Water heater tanks, which typically hold 30 to 80 gallons of drinkable water
- Toilet tank water (not the bowl), which is generally clean
- Canned goods, which contain significant amounts of water in their packaged liquid
Mapping these sources before a crisis gives you options. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to start looking.
Special Considerations for Wartime Water Planning
Standard emergency preparedness advice focuses on short-duration disasters. War or prolonged civil conflict introduces different variables that require additional planning.
Infrastructure may not recover quickly
A hurricane disrupts water service for days or weeks. A sustained conflict can disrupt it for months or years. Your planning horizon should reflect that possibility. A 90-day supply is not excessive when the scenario is prolonged conflict rather than a short-term natural disaster.
Contamination may be deliberate
During wartime, water sources may be deliberately contaminated, diverted, or destroyed as a military tactic. Don’t assume that natural water sources near a conflict zone are safe. Invest in a filtration system capable of handling chemical contaminants, not just biological ones.
Mobility may matter
In a conflict scenario, you may need to evacuate quickly. Build your preparedness plan around both a shelter-in-place option (large stored supply at home) and a mobile option (portable filters, purification tablets, and small containers that can be taken in a vehicle or on foot).
Noise and visibility
In a serious conflict, visible resources attract attention. Store water in inconspicuous locations and be mindful about who knows the extent of your preparations. This is not paranoia. It is practical security planning.
Building a Water Storage Plan Step by Step
If you’re starting from zero, the following sequence will help you build a meaningful water reserve without feeling overwhelmed. The best time to store water is before a crisis.
- Start with a two-week supply. For a family of four, that is roughly 56 gallons. Commercial water storage containers make this achievable at a modest cost.
- Add a filtration system. A gravity filter capable of handling at least 3,000 gallons gives you a long-term safety net even if your stored supply is depleted.
- Acquire purification tablets or drops as a backup to your filtration system.
- Expand your stored supply to 30 days within the first year of your preparedness effort.
- Identify local alternative water sources and learn how to access and treat them.
- Establish a rotation schedule and stick to it every six months.
- Consider a mobile water kit for evacuation scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you safely store tap water?
Tap water stored in clean, sealed, food-grade containers in a cool, dark location is generally safe for six to twelve months. After that, it’s still safe to drink in most cases, but it may have a flat taste. Adding a small amount of bleach during storage and rotating annually are best practices.
Can you drink water from a water heater during an emergency?
Yes. The water inside your hot water heater tank is generally safe to drink, though it may have a slightly metallic taste. Turn off the heat source before draining and attach a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. A standard tank holds 30 to 80 gallons. If your household water was contaminated, that includes what’s in the water heater, and should be avoided or properly filtered, if possible
Is bottled water a good long-term storage solution?
Commercially bottled water is convenient but expensive per gallon and generates significant plastic waste. The plastic bottles are also thinner than dedicated storage containers and can degrade more quickly. Bottled water is fine as part of a preparedness plan, but dedicated storage containers are more practical for large quantities.
Does stored water go bad?
Properly stored water doesn’t become toxic over time. However, it can promote bacterial growth if stored in contaminated or non-food-grade containers, exposed to heat and light, or not sealed properly. Water stored correctly tastes flat after extended periods but remains safe. Rotation prevents this issue.
What is the best water filter for emergency use?
For home use, a gravity-fed filter system that removes biological contaminants, heavy metals, and chemicals is ideal. For portable use, a squeeze filter or straw filter rated for at least 1,000 liters is reliable and lightweight. The PortaWell filtering system is great for higher volume needs. Having both types covers shelter-in-place and evacuation scenarios.
How should I store water if I live in a small apartment?
Space constraints are a real challenge in apartments. Focus on stackable containers that maximize vertical space. Under-bed storage works well for smaller containers. A compact gravity filter reduces the amount of water you need to store at any one time. Even 20 to 30 gallons in a small apartment provides a meaningful buffer compared to having nothing stored at all.
If We Have a War: What Skills Will Homemakers Need?
If We Have A War: Stock These Ten Foods Now
If We Have A War: 25 Personal Hygiene Products
If We Have A War: Stock These Cast-Iron Pans
If We Have A War: Stock Paper Products Now
Final Word
War and large-scale conflict are not abstractions. They have disrupted the lives of ordinary people in otherwise stable countries within living memory, and the early hours and days of such disruptions are consistently characterized by a scramble for basic necessities. Water is first among them.
Storing water is not a fringe concern for survivalists. It is a basic form of household resilience that every family, regardless of political outlook or risk assessment, should take seriously. The cost is low. The effort is modest. The protection it provides is real. Start today. Store what you can. And rotate it before you need it. May God bless this world, Linda
The post If We Have A War: Will You Have Enough Water? appeared first on Food Storage Moms.
from Food Storage Moms
