How much water to store for an emergency: a UK household guide
Last reviewed 24 October 2026 · 4 min read
Quick checklist
Quick checklist
0 of 6 doneHow much water to store for an emergency, person by person
Use this table as a starting point. It uses the official figure of 3 litres per person per day.
| People in your home | One day | Three days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 litres | 9 litres |
| 2 | 6 litres | 18 litres |
| 3 | 9 litres | 27 litres |
| 4 | 12 litres | 36 litres |
One litre of water weighs about one kilogram, so 36 litres is a heavy load. Plan where it will sit and who can lift it.
What the 3 litres does not cover
We read the figure as drinking and simple food preparation. Washing, flushing a toilet and cleaning take more. If your water might be off for longer, or you want to wash, see our guide to what to plan before the water goes off.
Some people need more than the basic figure:
- Babies. Be Ready lists baby formula, with ready-to-feed best. Speak to your health visitor or pharmacist about formula and the water to make it up.
- Hot weather, illness and older people. These can raise how much you drink. Add a little extra and ask your GP or pharmacist if you are unsure.
- Pets. Be Ready lists pet food and bottled water. How much depends on the animal, so ask your vet. As our reasonable practice, add a few litres for each pet.
Where to keep it
Store tap water in clean, food-grade containers. Food-grade water storage containers (Retailer link coming soon) suit a cupboard or utility room, while collapsible water carriers (Retailer link coming soon) fold flat and suit a small flat. Add a date label (Retailer link coming soon) to each one so you know when to swap it. Choose a cool, dark place away from heat, sunlight and strong-smelling chemicals. Our guide to storing water at home covers containers, cleaning and rotation in depth.
Sealed bottled water is another option. It has a best-before date printed on it, so check it every six months, as Be Ready advises for supplies.
Filters and tablets are not a substitute for a safe store of water. If you ever use any treatment product, follow the maker's limits exactly. Where your water company tells you to boil or avoid your tap water, follow its advice.
Do this today (free)
- Count your household and do the sum.
- Wash two or three clean 2-litre drinks bottles.
- Fill them from the cold tap, cap them and write the date on them.
- Put them in a cool cupboard.
If you have £10, £25 or £50
These are budgets, not quotes. Prices change, so check the current price first.
- About £10: a pack of date labels and a few sturdy bottles or one container.
- About £25: add a second container or collapsible carrier.
- About £50: a full set of containers, so the whole family's three days is covered.
Questions people ask
How many litres of water per person per day should I store?
The official Be Ready advice is 3 litres per person per day, which we read as covering drinking and simple food preparation. Plan for three days, which makes 9 litres each. Add extra for babies, hot weather, illness and pets. Ask your GP, pharmacist or vet if you are unsure.
Is it safe to store tap water?
Yes, if you use clean, food-grade containers and keep them cool and dark. Label each with the date. As our reasonable practice, swap stored tap water every six months. Bottled water has a best-before date, so check it when you check your other supplies.
Can I use old milk or juice bottles?
Clean drinks bottles can do in the short term, but milk cartons are hard to clean and can split. Food-grade containers last longer and are easier to wash and fill. Whatever you use, wash it well, rinse it, and label the date.
What if I live in a flat with little space?
Spread it around. Keep a few litres in a cupboard, under a bed and behind the sofa. Collapsible carriers fold flat until you need them. Even a partial store helps, and you can add to it each month.
Sources and further reading
Sources
firesidefolk.com/water/how-much-water-to-store-for-an-emergency · Last reviewed 24 October 2026 · Fireside Folk