You will die within three days if you don’t have enough drinking water. During a natural disaster the last thing you want is to be in dire need of water.
Besides shelter and food, you must prioritize your water supply when building out your emergency preparedness kit.
Store-bought water bottles and gallon water jugs can work fine for short term water storage but these containers are not ideal for longer term storage. These containers don’t last as long and are prone to failure.
Ideally you should invest in more permanent solutions for emergency water storage.
The best water storage containers.
There are countless water storage containers available on the market. Each type has it’s own benefits and drawbacks.
Large water storage containers are going to be very heavy and difficult to move. A 55 gallon drum of water weighs over 400lbs for reference.
Smaller containers are easier to work with and transport should you need to. A 5 or 10 gallon container will be much more manageable if you need some of your water to be portable.
I prefer to have a variety of containers for portability and bulk storage.
Best water storage containers for limited storage space
WaterBrick water containers
Our favorite water storage containers for limited space is the WaterBrick.
These stackable water storage containers are well made and can be stacked nearly anywhere.
They have a durable handle and cap. You can also buy a spigot separately.
Why we like them:
Nested stacking design
Durable plastic construction
Food-grade HDPE (BPA free plastic)
Decent value if you buy the bulk packs
Best water storage containers for durability
5 Gallon Military Water Containers
When I was in the military we used these plastic jerry can water storage containers on deployment and during training exercises.
We even used them as makeshift weighs for working out. Carry a couple of these for a few hundred yards and you’ll get strong.
If they can survive US Marines they will probably survive anything you can throw at them.
These are my favorite portable water storage containers.
The only downside to these is they can be expensive.
Why we like them:
Extremely durable construction
Intelligent cap and vent design
Food-grade HDPE BPA-free plastic
Convenient carry handle
Great for camping and loading in vehicles
Can be used as impromptu workout equipment
Best large water storage container
55 GALLON WATER BARREL
There are a lot of great options for bulk water storage but our favorite is the 55 gallon water barrel.
These are very cost effective for how large they are so it doesn’t cost a lot to build up a good supply of emergency water storage containers. If you want to store water in bulk but not break the bank, 55 gallon barrels are the best.
Build quality is excellent and they are very durable long term in our experience.
These 55 gallon barrels aren’t as feature-packed as some other large containers but they also don’t cost $300 a piece.
The main downside to these is they require a pump or siphon to extract the water. The pumps are included with most barrels though.
Keep in mind, these big guys are over 400lbs when filled so don’t plan on moving them easily.
Why we like them:
Extremely cost effective for bulk storage
Durable construction
Food-grade HDPE plastic (BPA free)
Best budget water storage containers
Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container
If you’re looking for a semi-portable water storage container that’s affordable the Reliance Aqua-Tainer is great.
These are well made and somewhat portable. They have a good lid design and also include a spigot to make pouring easier.
The main thing I don’t like about them is their thick shape. It makes carrying more difficult than the jerry cans or other containers.
Why we like them:
Affordable
Quality construction
Screw cap and vent
Exchange 2.5 Gallon Water Containers
For something lighter and more portable than the Aqua-tainer check these out.
They don’t have a vent and they don’t block light but these are cheap and get the job done.
Why we like them:
Affordable
Food-grade HDPE plastic (BPA free)
Relatively light weight
How to Choose Water Storage Containers for Emergency Preparedness
Long term storage of water isn’t difficult but there are a few things you should consider when choosing your water storage containers.
Can I use recycled containers to store water?
Plastic bottles such as milk jugs or soda bottles can be used for water storage containers. The main issue with these containers is they aren’t designed for long term storage.
These bottles are relatively thin and will begin to break down over time. They also don’t block light from reaching your water. The water storage containers in our list will last indefinitely.
If you use these recycled containers you must rotate the water and bottles regularly. Then use entirely new bottles and fill them with fresh water.
What size water containers should I get?
I use a combination of container sizes and types. This allows me to have a lot of water stored while also affording me the ability to move many of my storage containers if necessary.
At least 50% of my water storage containers are 55 gallon barrels or similar. These are heavy and not really movable but they are also very cost effective.
The remainder of my emergency water storage containers hold around 5 gallons of water.
I like this combination of containers so I have a lot of portable containers while being able to have a large water supply without spending too much.
Evaluate your needs and determine what works best for you and your family.
Do you need Spigots or Faucets?
For large water storage containers they are usually a necessity. Water weights about 8lbs per gallon so large water containers get heavy fast. Consider how difficult it will be to pour water from a 50+ pound container.
Not all spigots are designed the same and some containers have very poorly made spigots. They also can get awkward if the spigot sticks out of a container making them prone to breaking.
I prefer to keep a sturdy cap on my containers and only attach a spigot if needed. I also keep a piece of hose to use as a siphon on large containers if the spigot or pump breaks.
Should I buy Stackable Water Storage Containers?
Stackable containers can be very convenient especially if you’re short on space. You can free up a lot of floor space by using stackable containers.
Keep in mind that some containers are only stackable when empty.
If you’re storing your water containers on shelves or racks pay attention to how much weight you’re loading. Many shelves will fail when overloaded.
What Material is Best for Water Storage Containers
The best water storage container material is HDPE (plastic #2). All other types of plastic are either too weak or will leach chemicals into the water. Food grade plastic is a must for potable water storage containers.
Check to make sure the containers you are getting are considered food grade. Not all HDPE is considered food grade. If you want non potable water storage containers they don’t need to be food grade but should still be made of HDPE for long term storage.
What Color Storage Containers Should I get?
The best water storage containers are going to prevent light from reaching your water. By protecting your water from light it will prevent algae growth.
Blue is very common as well as other dark colors. You want your container to prevent light from reaching your water. Clear or opaque containers can work but you will want to store water in a dark place.
How to Prepare and Fill Your Water Storage Containers
When you get your water storage containers you don’t want to just fill them with tap water and put them in storage.
There are a few steps you should take to make your water last as long as possible.
How to Clean and Fill Your Containers
Fill your containers with warm water and a little dish soap. Seal the container and shake it to clean out any debris. Rise out the soap.
Fill the container with about a quart of water. Add a teaspoon of unscented household chlorine bleach.
Close the container and shake well to make sure the bleach water mixture is able to disinfect the entire container.
Thoroughly rinse and fill your sanitized container with fresh water.
There is no need to chemically treat water. You can use water preserver if you wish. Good quality tap water will be fine for at least a year without any additional treatment when stored properly.
Store water containers in a cool, dry, dark place. Keep your containers off the ground if possible. I get free wood pallets for this purpose.
