Emergency water: the simple guide
How much water to keep, how to store it, and how to make other water safer to drink.
How much water do you need?
The official Be Ready advice is to keep 3 litres of drinking water per person, per day, for 3 days. That’s 9 litres per person, or 36 litres for a family of four. Extra water may be needed for baby formula, medical devices and pets. Source: Be Ready, water supply interruptions.
Storing water at home
- Rinse your containers before the first use.
- Fill them with fresh tap water and close them tightly.
- Keep them somewhere cool, dark and easy to reach.
- Replace the water regularly (we suggest every 6 months), or as advised by your water company.
When you need other water
Be Ready explains that boiling, or adding water purification tablets, can help make alternative water safer to drink in an emergency, and that most alternative sources also need to be filtered first.
The filter straw removes bacteria and impurities (manufacturer data). It does not remove viruses, chemicals or salt. If water may be contaminated by sewage, filter it first, then boil it or use tablets.
Never drink floodwater, seawater, or water that may contain fuel or chemicals.