Drought Preparedness Guide 2026

Understanding Drought Severity

The U.S. Drought Monitor classifies drought conditions on a scale from D0 (abnormally dry) to D4 (exceptional drought). Each level triggers different impacts and responses:

• D0-D1: Voluntary water conservation requested, lawns brown, fire risk increases
• D2: Mandatory restrictions likely, crop damage, livestock sales, low streams
• D3: Severe restrictions, major crop/pasture losses, water shortages develop
• D4: Emergency declarations, widespread water shortages, exceptional fire risk

Where Your Water Goes

The average American uses 80-100 gallons of water per day at home. Understanding where that water goes helps you identify conservation opportunities:

Key insight: Leaks account for 12% of household water use—nearly 10,000 gallons per year in the average home. Fixing leaks is the easiest conservation measure.

Emergency Water Storage for Drought

FEMA recommends at least 1 gallon per person per day. For drought preparedness, aim higher—droughts can last months or years, and water restrictions may limit your ability to refill.

Recommended Storage Levels

• Minimum: 14 gallons per person (2-week supply)
• Recommended: 30-60 gallons per person (1-2 month supply)
• Ideal: 90+ gallons per person plus water collection capability

Water Storage Options

• 5-7 gallon jugs: Portable, easy to rotate. Need multiple for family supply.
• 55-gallon drums: Efficient storage but heavy (450+ lbs full) and not portable
• Stackable water bricks: Modular, space-efficient, easier to move
• IBC totes (275 gallons): For serious storage if you have space
• Bathtub bladders: Emergency rapid-fill option (100 gallons)

Rainwater Collection

Even in drought-prone areas, occasional rain falls. Collecting it reduces dependence on municipal water and provides backup supply.

Legal Considerations

Rainwater collection is legal in most states, but regulations vary:

• Unrestricted: Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, and most states
• Limited: Colorado (110 gallons max), Utah (2,500 gallons with registration)
• Encouraged: California offers rebates for rain barrels

Check your local regulations before installing collection systems.

Collection Potential

A surprising amount of water falls on your roof. For every 1" of rain on 1,000 sq ft of roof, you can collect approximately 600 gallons.

Making Rainwater Drinkable

Collected rainwater should be treated before drinking:

1. First flush diversion: Skip the first few gallons that wash debris from roof
2. Sediment filtration: Remove particles with 5-micron filter
3. Carbon filtration: Remove chemicals and improve taste
4. Disinfection: UV treatment, boiling, or chlorination

Water Conservation Strategies

The typical household can reduce water use 30-50% without major lifestyle changes. During severe drought, these savings become critical.

Bathroom (44% of indoor use)

Kitchen & Laundry

Outdoor (50%+ of summer use)

Greywater Recycling

Greywater—water from sinks, showers, and laundry—can be reused for irrigation. In drought conditions, this can significantly reduce outdoor water use.

Simple Greywater Systems

• Laundry-to-landscape: Redirect washing machine output directly to trees/shrubs
• Bucket method: Collect shower warm-up water and sink water for plants
• Diversion valves: Switch between sewer and irrigation as needed

Greywater Guidelines

• Use biodegradable, plant-friendly soaps
• Don't store greywater more than 24 hours (bacterial growth)
• Don't use on edible plants (root vegetables especially)
• Check local codes—many areas have specific greywater regulations
• Never use water containing feces, toxic chemicals, or from washing diapers

Well Water During Drought

If you have a private well, drought brings unique challenges. As the water table drops, wells may produce less or run dry entirely.

Well Monitoring

• Track output: Note if pump runs longer to produce same water
• Check water quality: Drought can concentrate minerals and contaminants
• Monitor static water level: Professional can measure depth to water
• Have backup plan: Know where to get water if well fails

Well Considerations

• Deepening: Existing wells can sometimes be deepened ($2,000-$10,000+)
• New well: Drilling deeper may find water ($5,000-$30,000+)
• Hydrofracturing: Can increase yield of existing well ($2,000-$5,000)
• Shared wells: Know your water rights if sharing aquifer with neighbors

What to Do When Restrictions Hit

When mandatory water restrictions are implemented:

1. Understand the rules: Know what's restricted and penalties for violation
2. Prioritize uses: Drinking, cooking, sanitation come first
3. Let lawn go brown: Grass goes dormant but usually recovers
4. Use stored water: This is what you prepared for
5. Greywater everything: Reuse every drop possible
6. Report violations: Community compliance affects everyone

Drought and Wildfire Connection

Drought dramatically increases wildfire risk. Dry vegetation becomes fuel, and water for firefighting may be limited. If you're in a drought-affected area, also review wildfire preparedness.

Food Considerations

Severe droughts affect agriculture, which can impact food prices and availability:

• Stock shelf-stable foods: Prices rise during drought-driven shortages
• Reduce food water footprint: Beef requires far more water than chicken or plant proteins
• Grow drought-tolerant gardens: Tomatoes, peppers, herbs need less water than lawns
• Support local agriculture: Local farms may need community support to survive

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure for details.