how much water to store
Keep 3 litres of drinking water per person per day, for at least 3 days. That is 9 litres each.
It is the figure gov.uk uses, from the World Health Organisation. It covers drinking and a little for food.
9 litres
of water to drink, per person, for 3 days
how much for your household
1 person: 9 litres
About 5 large 2-litre bottles.
2 people: 18 litres
Two 6-packs of 1.5-litre bottles, or a 10-litre container plus 4 large bottles.
4 people: 36 litres
About 18 large bottles, or three 10-litre containers with a few bottles.
Pets need water too
Allow about 1 litre a day for a medium dog. Cats need much less.
Washing and flushing are extra
Up to 10 litres per person a day covers cooking and washing. Fill the bath before a planned cut for flushing.
Keep it cool, dark and off the floor
Store sealed bottles away from sunlight and chemicals. Check the dates and use the oldest first, every 6 to 12 months.
If the taps stop, your water company helps
They set up bottled water stations. People on the Priority Services Register get water brought to them.
what to have ready
Check what you already have first, then buy only what is missing.
Bottled water
Sealed bottles keep for years. Check the dates and use the oldest first.
Choose one on Amazon: Bottled water (opens in a new tab)10-litre water container with a tap
Easier to store and pour than bottles. Fill it from your tap.
Choose one on Amazon: 10-litre water container with a tap (opens in a new tab)Water purification tablets
For water from another source, if your stored water runs out.
Choose one on Amazon: Water purification tablets (opens in a new tab)
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where this comes from
- Prepare: get prepared for emergencies (3 litres per person per day), UK Government (Cabinet Office)
- Priority Services Register, Energy networks and water companies
- Consumer Council for Water, CCW
Sources checked 24 September 2026.