How to Store Drinking Water: Short-Term Emergency and Long-Term Storage Guide

Our comprehensive UK guide to safely storing drinking water, whether you’re keeping a short-term emergency supply or storing larger volumes for longer periods

Drinking water storage has become more prevalent in recent times owing to the government’s Be Ready campaign, which encourages people to have three days’ worth of food and water in their home.

The Be Ready campaign works to prepare people in case essential services are disrupted due to severe weather events, temporary system failures (like power outages or water main breaks) or cyber-attacks. It encourages British households to make sure they have what they need on hand to manage the disruption.

So, we decided to put together a guide on everything you need to know about drinking water storage, both in an emergency and for more long-term commercial use.

In this guide, you will find:

• Why should you keep an emergency water supply?
• How much water should you store for an emergency?
• What are the best tanks and containers for short-term emergency water storage?
• Can you store tap water in plastic containers?
• How should you store drinking water, and how long can it last?
• How to store drinking water for a public event
• Emergency water storage FAQs

Why should you keep an emergency water supply?

Having an emergency short-term water supply is useful for the reasons outlined above – to ride out issues like severe weather or mains breaks.

But you should also consider uses beyond drinking – it can be easy to underestimate just how much water we use on a daily basis in ways we don’t even think about, until that water isn’t available. You should also consider how much water you will need (because it might be more than you think).

How much water should you store for an emergency?

When calculating the amount of water needed for a short-term emergency, it’s best to establish a baseline of what you need for drinking. After that, think about what else you might need it for – for example, cooking, washing, cleaning, or a separate allowance for pets.

But starting with drinking water, below is a handy baseline table that gives you a guide on how much you’ll need.

Struggling to visualise it? 36 litres of drinking water for a family of four – enough for three days – would be the equivalent of two large standard office water cooler jugs, 18 two-litre soda bottles, or about 4 standard domestic cleaning buckets. Also, that much water would weigh just under 80lbs (79.4) or 36kg, so think about where you’re putting it, and how often you plan to move it.

Key takeaway: Allow three litres of drinking water per person per day, or nine litres per person for a three-day emergency.

As for other household needs, that will very much depend on your specific circumstances. It can be easy to forget just how many aspects of everyday life require water, so here is a table of suggestions and general guidance:

What are the best tanks and containers for short-term emergency water storage?

This again will depend on the number of people that require water. At Kingfisher Direct, we offer a wide range of reliable and cost-effective water storage options that can be used for emergency storage. Below, you’ll find a handy list to consider depending on the number of people, along with why they are the ideal choice:

Portable food-grade containers and jerry cans (Best for one person to a household)

Why? These options are useful where water needs to be stored compactly, moved easily or refilled quickly. But it is important to remember that the containers must be suitable for potable water.

Our recommendations for three days of water storage include:

• 20L Food Grade Bucket with Tamper-Evident Lid (One person)
• 20L stackable jerry can, natural (One person)
• 30L plastic open-head drum (Two people)
• 60L UN approved plastic tight-head barrel (Five people)
• 25L stackable jerry can ×4, natural (Eight people)

Small potable water tanks (Best for medium-sized groups)

Why? This option is better where a large household, site or small business needs to keep a bigger emergency reserve on in place.

Our recommendations for three days of water storage include:

• 110L water trolley (wheeled) (Nine people)
• 210L baffled upright water tank (17 people)
• 500L baffled upright water tank (41 people)
• 800L upright potable water tank (66 people)

What about large-volume commercial storage?

While the Be Ready campaign focuses its advice on households, we understand that if a mains failure happens or adverse weather strikes, the need for water storage is just as important for an entire organisation. For the latter, we would suggest you opt for a 1000 litre IBC or a large-scale water tank.

These proven, cheap-per-litre options would be ideal if you need to store medium-to-large-to-very-large volumes of water, and some of our best options are listed below:

• 1000L new IBC, plastic pallet, UN approved (83 people)
• 1250L new IBC, steel pallet (104 people)
• Enduramaxx 2000L vertical potable, black (166 people)
• Enduramaxx 5000L vertical potable, black (416 people)
• Enduramaxx 10000L vertical potable, black (833 people)
• Enduramaxx 15000L vertical potable, black (1,250 people)
• Enduramaxx 30000L vertical potable, black (2,500 people)

While these options make for excellent choices for short-term water storage in an emergency, they would also suit very well for long-term storage

• Read more here if you’re unsure what potable water means

Can you store tap water in plastic containers?

You can store tap water in plastic containers, but they must always be suitable for drinking-water storage. Also, you must ensure they are thoroughly cleaned and securely sealed, and have never previously been used to store fuel or chemicals.

Your best bet is to choose a purpose-made potable water container with WRAS and/or food-grade approval – having a BPA-free symbol is a good sign, but this alone does not guarantee potability.

Be sure to fill the container with cold mains water and label with the filling date.

How should you store drinking water, and how long can it last?

You should keep bottles sealed and store them somewhere cool and away from fuel and chemicals. It is best to store the water somewhere dark and away from direct sunlight.

• Top Tip: UV-resistant plastic black containers are adept at protecting water from sunlight. That said, it doesn’t guard against heat, so still make sure it’s somewhere cool. Also, you won’t see the waterline, so keep that in mind too.

Where possible we would recommend using manageable container sizes, as you might need something easily movable and can be dispensed from without wastage or contaminating the rest of the supply.

Remembering to add a filling date is important because the CDC recommends replacing the water every six months – so having a record of when you filled it will come in handy when the time comes to rotate. If the time comes where you need a three-day supply, you don’t want water that has been sat for six months or more and now may be stagnant.

Public-supply water does have some levels of dissolved chlorine in it which helps to keep viruses and bacteria at bay. However, it is always best to replenish the water as frequently as possible to reduce the likelihood of it becoming stagnant which can pose serious health risks. While the CDC recommends six months as a maximum, we don’t think there’s any harm in checking as often as you can.

You also need to ensure that the ground you are using can withstand the weight of the container or tank you are using. The weight will vary depending on the size you get. For homes, this is usually around 250 litres. If you are storing water for an event or festival on outside ground, the tank can be much larger, providing the ground can support it.

When choosing the correct potable water tank, take into consideration both the weight and the footprint of your storage method and be sure to check that the ground will not give way under such a load.

• Read more here about cleaning and maintaining your water tank

How to store drinking water for a public event

Outside of emergency preparedness, festival and event organisers who run licenced premises in England or Wales have a legal obligation to provide free potable water to their customers. In Scotland, a law states similar but refers to “tap water” rather than potable water. 

The British Standards set some guidelines for festival organisers to follow. They state that drinking should be provided from a mains supply where possible. If not, an alternative quality water supply should be used. British Standards also require that all water dispensing equipment should be cleaned and cared for. As well, as an acceptable amount of drinking water points being made available.

Having access to mains water isn't always possible, particularly for large-scale events in rural locations. For that reason, event organisers may turn to potable water storage tanks as a solution.

The regulations that apply to storage tanks are specified under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. These regulations state that:

• Water tanks must be watertight to prevent contamination and bacterial growth such as Legionella
• Potable water tanks should not be made of metal as this increases the risk of rust which can contaminate the water
• Tank lids or covers should be provided to prevent insects, animals and other contaminants from entering.
• The tank should also keep water away from direct light and sources of heat to keep the water at a temperature of around 20°C
• Tanks that can store 1,000+ litres should be constructed to allow inspection and cleaning without having to fully uncover them
• The tank must be fitted with vents and overflow connections
• If you have multiple water tanks, it is recommended that they be connected to prevent stagnation

Browse one of the largest selections of water tanks in UK

With our range of WRAS-approved potable water tanks, you can be confident in the safe storage of your drinking water. We stock a range of sizes from 5 litres to 25,000 litres making them suitable for a variety of domestic, commercial, and industrial applications.

For further information on our range of potable water tanks, please contact our sales team on 01777 858009 or email sales@kingfisherdirect.co.uk.

Emergency water storage FAQs

Can emergency drinking water be stored in a garage or shed?

Yes, but only if the storage area stays reasonably cool, dry and protected from direct sunlight, chemicals, fuels and pests. Avoid places that experience extreme heat or freezing temperatures, as these can damage containers or affect water quality.

Should emergency water be kept indoors or outdoors?

Indoor storage is usually better for smaller emergency supplies because temperatures are more stable and the water is easier to access. Larger potable water tanks can be stored outdoors if they are designed for external use and protected from contamination, excessive heat and freezing.

Can emergency water freeze, and does freezing damage the container?

Yes. Water expands when it freezes, which can split or deform rigid containers that are filled completely. If emergency water may be exposed to freezing temperatures, leave some expansion space and use a container suitable for those conditions.

How should emergency water supplies be labelled and dated?

Label each container with the date it was filled and, if relevant, the date it should be checked or replaced. Clear labelling makes it easier to rotate supplies and helps prevent confusion with non-potable water or other stored liquids.

Can you use an IBC for emergency drinking water storage?

Yes, but only if the IBC is suitable for potable water and has not previously contained hazardous or unsuitable substances. For drinking water, use a food-grade or potable-water-rated IBC with a known history and ensure it is clean, sealed and stored correctly.

What should you do if stored emergency water looks, smells or tastes unusual?

Do not drink it until you are confident it is safe. Discolouration, unusual odours, cloudiness or an unexpected taste can indicate contamination, so the water should be replaced or assessed before use.