How Much Water Should You Store Per Person?
One gallon per person per day, for at least three days (a 3-gallon minimum per person) — that's ready.gov's official floor. A two-week supply (14 gallons per person) is the stronger, still-official target for households with the storage space. Hot climates, pregnancy, illness, and pets all raise the real number above one gallon.
The one thing to know: Ready.gov's baseline is one gallon of water per person per day, for at least three days (drinking + sanitation) — 14 gallons per person gets you to the better two-week benchmark. Hot climates, pregnancy, illness, and pets all raise that number, so treat one gallon as a floor, not a target.
Where the 1-gallon number comes from
Ready.gov's Water page states that a normally active person needs roughly three-quarters of a gallon of fluid daily from water and other beverages, but recommends storing a full gallon per person per day to also cover basic sanitation — hand washing, food prep, and hygiene during a disruption. That's the number behind every "3-day kit" and "2-week kit" figure you'll see cited elsewhere.
Doing the math for your household
| Household size | 3-day minimum | 2-week target |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 gallons | 14 gallons |
| 2 people | 6 gallons | 28 gallons |
| 4 people | 12 gallons | 56 gallons |
| 6 people | 18 gallons | 84 gallons |
Add extra for each pet, and increase per-person amounts in hot climates or for pregnant, nursing, or sick household members.
What raises the number above one gallon
- Hot or dry climates — heat sharply increases fluid needs; plan for more than the baseline gallon.
- Pregnancy and nursing — increased fluid needs beyond the standard adult figure.
- Illness — fever and dehydration both raise water needs.
- Pets — budget separate water for each animal; it's not covered by the per-person gallon.
Storage options at a glance
Research-based picks (how we evaluate) — live Amazon search links, no prices or ratings, an honest drawback on each.
WaterBrick WaterBrick 3.5-Gallon Stackable Container (4-Pack)
Stackable, food-grade, ~14 gal total for 4-pack, screw-cap, BPA-free
Modular stacking design fits in closets and under stairs far better than a single large drum, and each brick is light enough to carry when full.
Best for: Apartment or garage storage of the FEMA 2-week per-person water target without floor-space commitment
Watch out: At 3.5 gallons each you need 4 per person for a 2-week supply, so cost adds up fast for a family — cheaper to mix with large drums for bulk and bricks for portability.
Check price on AmazonReliance Aquatainer 7-Gallon Water Container
7-gallon rigid jug, spigot, food-grade HDPE
The simplest, cheapest way to hit a meaningful chunk of the 3-day-per-person water minimum in one container with a built-in pour spigot.
Best for: Households wanting an inexpensive first water-storage container before scaling up
Watch out: Full, it's about 58 lbs and awkward to move — plan where it lives before you fill it, and rotate/clean per the label rather than leaving it sealed indefinitely.
Check price on AmazonDatrex Emergency Drinking Water Pouches (4.225 oz, 3-Day Supply)
Individually sealed pouches, 5-year shelf life, USCG-approved
No container to clean or rotate every 6 months — sealed pouches with a genuinely long shelf life, ideal for a car or go-bag.
Best for: The portable/car-kit slice of your water plan, not whole-house storage
Watch out: Cost per gallon is far higher than bulk storage, so this supplements — it doesn't replace — larger water containers at home.
Check price on AmazonIf your stored supply runs low: disinfecting found water
For clear water without visible contamination, ready.gov's method is 1/8 teaspoon (about 8 drops) of plain, unscented liquid chlorine bleach per gallon, stirred and left to stand 30 minutes — if it doesn't smell faintly of chlorine afterward, repeat the dose and wait 15 more minutes. Cloudy or visibly dirty water should be filtered or allowed to settle first. This is general information, not a substitute for your local health department's guidance during an actual water-safety event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready.gov's baseline is one gallon per person per day, for at least three days (three gallons minimum), with a two-week supply (14 gallons per person) as the stronger, still-official target where you have storage space.
Yes — the one gallon covers both drinking and basic sanitation (some cooking and hygiene use), not just drinking water alone. Hot climates, illness, pregnancy, and nursing all increase real need above one gallon.
Yes. Ready.gov's household planning explicitly calls out unique needs like pets — budget separate water and food for each pet rather than assuming your per-person gallon covers them.
Commercially bottled water in sealed containers is the simplest option and needs no treatment; large food-grade containers (drums, stackable bricks) are cheaper per gallon for bulk storage but need periodic rotation if self-filled. Mixing formats — bulk storage at home plus portable pouches for a car or go-bag — covers more scenarios than one format alone.
Ready.gov's method for plain water is 1/8 teaspoon (about 8 drops) of plain, unscented liquid chlorine bleach per gallon, stirred and left 30 minutes; repeat the dose and wait 15 more minutes if it doesn't smell faintly of chlorine. This is for water that's clear and free of visible contamination — cloudy water should be filtered first.