Step 1 of 8: Water, how much

How much water do you need if the power goes out?

Start with one number, then adjust it for your household.

Free Step 1 checklist (PDF)

The one-gallon rule

Ready.gov says to store at least one gallon of water per person, per day, for several days. That covers drinking and basic sanitation.

These totals are example math at one gallon per person per day. The 3-day and 14-day columns are planning examples, not official targets. Adjust for your household.

When one gallon is not enough

• In very hot temperatures, water needs can double (Ready.gov).
• Children, nursing mothers and people who are sick may need more (Ready.gov).
• If someone in your home has a medical condition, ask their doctor what to plan for.
• Pets drink too. Add what they drink.

Store it safely

• Commercially bottled water: keep it sealed in its original container, somewhere cool and dark.
• Your own containers: use food-grade containers, wash with dish soap, then sanitize with one teaspoon of unscented liquid household bleach per quart of water (Ready.gov).
• Water that has not been commercially bottled should be replaced every six months (Ready.gov).
• Date every container and use the oldest water first.

If in doubt, boil

Bring water to a rolling boil for one full minute, or three minutes above 6,500 feet, then let it cool (Ready.gov, CDC).

Sources

• Ready.gov: Water
• CDC: Emergency water supply preparation

Free official resources

• Ready.gov: Build a Kit (supply list, printable PDF, and CDC guides on making emergency water safe)
• Ready.gov: Water
• CDC: Emergency water supply preparation