Water supply off, what to do: a UK plan for the first 48 hours

Quick checklist

What to do first when the water goes off

1. Check the basics. Try another cold tap. Look at whether neighbours are affected.
2. Check the water company's website or app, or call the number on your bill. Water companies publish known problems. If you rely on a mobile signal, write the number down now.
3. Do not leave taps running once you know the supply is off. Close them, so water does not pour out when it returns.
4. Look at your stopcock. Our guide on where your stopcock is shows how to find it. Do not do any DIY work on your plumbing, gas or electrics. Call the water company or a registered professional.
5. Use stored water for drinking. Keep what you have for drinking and basic food preparation first.

Water companies usually provide bottled water or collection points if an interruption goes on for longer. Ask yours what it does and when.

Water supply off, what to do about drinking water

Be Ready advises 3 litres of water per person per day. For two days, that is 6 litres each, and 24 litres for a family of four. Our guide to how much water to store for an emergency has the full sum.

That figure is for drinking and simple food preparation. Washing and flushing take more. If you have notice of planned work, fill clean, food-grade containers with tap water before it starts. The kitchen cold tap is usually the mains supply. Do not drink from the hot tap.

Food-grade water storage containers (Retailer link coming soon) suit a cupboard or utility room. Collapsible water carriers (Retailer link coming soon) fold flat until you need them. Our guide to storing water at home covers cleaning and rotation.

If your water company tells you to boil water before drinking it, follow that advice exactly. 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.

Flushing the toilet

You can flush a toilet by pouring water into the bowl from a bucket. A few litres is usually enough. If you are warned in advance, fill the bath or a large container with tap water and use that for flushing and washing, not for drinking.

Keep young children away from a filled bath or bucket. If you have to bag waste, use strong heavy-duty refuse sacks (Retailer link coming soon), tie them and keep them away from food. Wash your hands afterwards.

Keeping clean

Handwashing matters most. Use a little water, soap and a bowl. If water is very short, use hand sanitiser, or wipes if you cannot wash. Keep wipes and soap to hand: a pack of unscented wet wipes (Retailer link coming soon) and a liquid hand soap refill (Retailer link coming soon) cover most of it. Our guide to how to wash without running water goes through a full wash step by step.

For dishes, use paper plates or wipe plates clean, and eat from containers. Wash up when the supply returns.

Cooking and heat

Use an electric kettle or hob if the power is on. If the power is off as well, eat food that needs no cooking. Never use a camping stove, barbecue or gas heater indoors to boil water, because they give off carbon monoxide.

Looking after others

• Check on neighbours, especially older people, new parents and anyone who relies on a medical device that uses water.
• If you or someone in your home needs extra help, join the Priority Services Register at thepsr.co.uk through your water company. It is called the Customer Care Register in Northern Ireland.
• If someone feels ill, call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

When the water comes back

Run the cold tap for a minute or two until the water runs clear. If it stays cloudy or smells wrong, do not drink it and call your water company. Check for leaks. Re-fill your stored water and clean your containers. If the interruption was long, ask your water company whether you can claim compensation.

Do this today (free)

1. Write down your water company's number and where your stopcock is.
2. Fill two clean bottles from the cold tap, cap them and date them.
3. Put a bucket under the sink.
4. Join the Priority Services Register if it applies to you.

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 wipes, a soap refill and a few sturdy bottles.
• About £25: add a collapsible carrier or a food-grade container.
• About £50: enough containers for two days of drinking water for the whole household, plus some heavy-duty sacks.

Sources and further reading

• Be ready for emergencies: checklist and household plan
• Priority Services Register
• Ofwat (GOV.UK)
• Ready Scotland