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Portable Emergency Water Storage:

Emergencies are one of those things where it’s easy to think it will never happen to you. However, if (and most likely when) it happens and you’re not prepared, you and those dependent on you will be in a terrible situation. Preparedness is the antidote to fear.

Water is something that you can only live without for a few days. Trust me, start with the portable water storage! The peace of mind alone is worth the time and effort.

It does not have to be overwhelming or difficult to take basic steps towards preparedness and self reliance. Here are some simple solutions for portable emergency water storage.

Just Starting Your Emergency Water Storage Journey?

Learn More:

STEP 1: PORTABLE EMERGENCY WATER STORAGE (This Post)

STEP 2: THE ABILITY TO PURIFY WATER

STEP 3: LONG TERM WATER STORAGE

Looking for more emergency preparedness and self reliance? Check out:

Utilizing the Power of Fall Leaves in the Garden

Lentil Sprouts for Chickens (and Your Family) – A Protein Packed Winter Treat)

Situations Requiring Portable Emergency Water Storage?

Chances are that if you’re here, you already know that answer to this question, but just for kicks, we will bring up some examples:

• Natural disaster
• Nationwide disaster
• World War III
• Water unexpectedly gets shut off
• Gas lines broken
• Emergency that is specific to your region of the world (for us it would be Earthquakes)

All that aside, we’ve already used ours a handful of times camping and when the city has had to turn off our water for road construction.

Having water in larger containers like 55 gallon water barrels, and 275 gallon tanks are useful for staying put, but when the time comes that a quick evacuation is in order, you need water prepped, ready to go in portable water storage containers. These containers need to be easily transported so that you can grab and go without even thinking about it.

Don’t have the space for water storage?

Respectfully, reevaluate your priorities and see how you can be creative for your water storage. You’re here reading this because this topic has become important to you. I guarantee you have things you can part with in order to make space for what you consider most important. I once visited a woman who lived in a tiny apartment, but had all of her water and food storage in every nook and cranny available because it was that important to her.

Family Size And Recommendations:

Ready.gov recommends:

“Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days, for drinking and sanitation. A normally active person needs about three quarters of a gallon of fluid daily, from water and other beverages. However, individual needs vary depending on age, health, physical condition, activity, diet and climate.

Take the following into account:

• Children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water.
• A medical emergency might require additional water.
• If you live in a warm weather climate more water may be necessary. In very hot temperatures, water needs can double.”

So if you are a family of five and you want enough water to last a week:

5 gallons per day x 7 days = roughly 35 gallons of water*

*Keep in mind the considerations above including pets

5 Great Options on the Market to Fit Your Needs

What your portable emergency water storage looks like will not necessarily be what works for the next person. Determine your concerns, your needs, type of storage space and your dependents (don’t forget pets!) and go from there.

1. Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container

#2 WaterStorageCube BPA-Free Collapsible Water Container with Spigot

#3 Emergency Water Storage 5 Gallon Water Tank – 6 Tanks (30 Gallons) – 5 Gallons Each w/Lids + Spigot & Water Treatment

#4 Hudson Exchange 2.5 Gallon Hedpak Container with Cap, HDPE, Natural, 2 Pack

#5 15 Gallon Emergency Water Storage Barrel – BPA Free, Portable, Food Grade Plastic

Filling the Portable Emergency Water Containers

Ready.gov recommends:

“If you must prepare your own containers of water, purchase food-grade water storage containers. Before filling with chlorinated water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and sanitize the bottles by cleaning with a solution of one teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water. Water that has not been commercially bottled should be replaced every six months.”

(Looking for more emergency preparedness and self reliance? Check out:

Utilizing the Power of Fall Leaves in the Garden

Lentil Sprouts for Chickens (and Your Family) – A Protein Packed Winter Treat)

One Step at a Time Towards Peace of Mind

You can do this! Emergency preparedness can feel overwhelming to tackle, but if you focus on one simple step at a time, you can do it. You will be able to find that peace of mind that you can provide the necessities of life for yourself and your family in the event of an emergency. Portable emergency water storage is a foundational brick on the road to self reliance.

If this post was helpful to you, please share!

Wishing you and your family all the best on your self reliance journey!

Herbs, Birds & the Bees

Garden, Chickens, Bees & Homestead