Water Storage: 2 Person, 7 Day Supply

2 people need approximately 18 gallons of water for 7 days. This is based on the FEMA recommendation of 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation, adjusted for your household composition.

FEMA recommends 1 gallon per person per day as a minimum: half gallon for drinking and half gallon for food preparation and hygiene. In hot climates or during physical activity, this amount should be increased by 50-100%.

For 18 gallons, we recommend: 2 7-Gallon Aqua-Tainers, 1 5-Gallon Containers. Use food-grade containers and store in a cool, dark place away from chemicals.

Stored water should be rotated every 6 months if using plastic containers. Water in food-grade barrels with water preserver can last up to 5 years. Always check for cloudiness or odors before use.

Yes! Dogs need approximately 0.5-1 gallon per day, and cats need about 0.125-0.25 gallons per day. Add this to your household total for complete preparedness.

Have backup purification methods: water purification tablets, portable filters like LifeStraw or Sawyer, or unscented household bleach (8 drops per gallon, wait 30 minutes). Never drink untreated water from unknown sources.

18 gallons requires approximately 2 cubic feet of storage space. A 55-gallon barrel is about 2 feet in diameter and 3 feet tall. Plan your storage location accordingly.

Yes! A standard 40-gallon water heater can provide emergency water. Turn off the power/gas first, let it cool, and drain from the bottom valve. This water may have sediment, so filter before drinking.