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Water Storage and Filters

Water runs out first. The standard is 1 gallon per person per day: 3 gallons each for a 72 hour kit and about 14 gallons each for two weeks. Store some, and have a way to purify more.

Updated November 1, 2026

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72 HoursTop Pick

Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets (100 Pack)

Light, cheap and effective backup for making water safer to drink.

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72 HoursTop Pick

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System

A tiny filter that cleans up to 100,000 gallons. A favorite for go bags.

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72 Hours

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Drink straight from a stream or bottle. Light and simple for every kit.

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2 Weeks

LifeStraw Family Gravity Water Purifier

Hang it up and clean water for a whole family without power.

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90 DaysWhole Family Water

Countertop Gravity Water Filter System

Large capacity gravity filter for daily use and long outages.

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2 Weeks

Brio 5 Gallon BPA Free Water Bottle

Reusable 5 gallon container with a carry handle.

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2 WeeksTop Pick

Reliance Aqua Tainer 7 Gallon Water Container

Stackable, rugged and easy to pour. A top pick for home water storage.

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2 Weeks

WaterBrick Stackable Water Containers

Stack them in closets and under beds. Great for small spaces.

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90 DaysWhole Family Water

55 Gallon Water Storage Barrel Kit

Barrel, pump and wrench in one kit. Holds about two weeks of water for four people.

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90 DaysWhole Family Water

Large Emergency Water Storage Tank

Serious long term water storage for the whole household.

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72 Hours

waterBOB Bathtub Emergency Water Storage

Fill your bathtub with up to 100 gallons of clean water before a storm hits.

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72 Hours

Emergency Drinking Water Pouches

Sealed water pouches with a long shelf life for kits and cars.

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90 Days

Water Preserver Concentrate

Treat stored water so you rotate it less often.

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90 Days

Drum and Barrel Siphon Pump

Get water out of big barrels without lifting them.

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72 Hours

Collapsible Water Jugs

Fold flat for storage, then fill when water is available.

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90 Days

Rain Barrel Collection Kit

Catch rainwater for gardens, flushing and filtering. Check local rules first.

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90 DaysWhole Family Water

Big Berkey Gravity Water Filter

A popular large capacity countertop filter for families.

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2 Weeks

Katadyn Hiker Pro Pump Filter

Pump clean water fast from streams and ponds.

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90 DaysWhole Family Water

Water Distiller

Removes many contaminants by boiling and condensing.

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2 Weeks

Water Testing Kit

Check your water for common contaminants.

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What to look for

  1. Count pets too. Dogs and cats need water every day.
  2. Use containers made for drinking water (food grade, BPA free).
  3. Have two ways to make water safe: a filter and purification tablets.
  4. A bathtub water bag can hold up to 100 gallons when you get a storm warning.
Related guide

Emergency Water Storage Guide

How much to store, what to store it in, and how to make more water safe.

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Common questions

How much water should I store for an emergency?

Ready.gov recommends at least 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days. For two weeks at home, that is about 14 gallons per person.

How long does stored water last?

Commercially bottled water is fine until its date. Water you store yourself in clean food grade containers should be replaced about every 6 months, or treated with a water preserver for longer storage.

What is the difference between a water filter and purifier?

Filters remove bacteria and protozoa. Purifiers also deal with viruses. Purification tablets are a light, low cost backup to any filter.