Top Three Mistakes People Make When Choosing Emergency Water Storage Containers

Whether you face severe weather, power outages, infrastructure failures, or other unexpected emergencies, having an emergency water supply is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your household.

Water is the most important emergency supply you can store. Your body depends on water more than any other resource, and you also need it for basic sanitation. Without water for drinking, handwashing, and cleaning food preparation surfaces and utensils, you could quickly suffer from dehydration or illness caused by harmful germs and bacteria. Most emergency preparedness experts recommend storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and basic sanitation needs.

Here are the most important mistakes people make when creating an emergency water supply for disaster preparedness:

1. Choosing unsafe water containers. Water containers should be made from non-toxic, BPA-free, food-grade materials designed for storing drinking water, such as certain plastics, glass, or stainless steel. Water should never be stored in containers that have been used to store chemicals or toxins of any kind.
2. Choosing water containers that are not reusable. Single-use bottled water is an inefficient way to store water. Much of the available storage space is lost to packaging and gaps between bottles. It is also wasteful and can be harmful to the environment.
3. Choosing containers you cannot move when you need them most. In an emergency, you may need to grab the necessities and leave your home. Very large containers also take up a lot of space in your home or garage and may not be possible for many living situations.

To avoid these mistakes, look for containers that are:

• Made with food-grade materials
• BPA-free
• Durable and leak-resistant
• A stackable shape for efficient storage
• Easy-carry handles
• Appropriate capacity for your household

Choosing the right emergency water storage container can make a major difference when disaster strikes. By selecting food-grade, durable, reusable, and easy-to-carry containers, you can build a water supply that is safe, efficient, and ready when your household needs it most. Preparing today can provide peace of mind for tomorrow’s unexpected events.

A well-designed water storage system can help you avoid the most common mistakes people make when preparing their emergency supplies. WaterBrick containers are designed to be durable, food-safe, stackable, reusable, and easy to carry—helping you store emergency water more efficiently and with greater peace of mind.

Still have questions about emergency water storage? Here are answers to the most common questions.

How much emergency water should I store?

Store at least one gallon per person per day for a minimum of three days, though many preparedness experts recommend a two-week supply.

How often do I need to rotate long-term stored water?

The CDC recommends changing out stored water at least every six months.

Are BPA-free containers best for water storage?

Food-grade BPA-free containers are commonly recommended for storing drinking water.

Can I store water in old milk or drink jugs?

Milk jugs are generally not recommended for long-term water storage because they can be difficult to sanitize and may degrade over time.