Containers matter
Choose food-grade, sealed containers for water storage. Options include:
- Pre-sealed bottles: Buy 1–2 litre bottles from a grocery store (easiest, requires no prep)
- Refillable jugs: Food-grade 18.9 litre jugs from refill stations (most economical)
- Bathtub liners: For non-drinking water only (flushing, cleaning)—fill only when you know an outage is coming
Storage location
Keep water in a cool, dark, dry place away from sunlight:
- Basement or closet (ideal)
- Garage (avoid if unheated)
- Pantry
- Away from gasoline, pesticides, and other chemicals
Preparing your own water
If filling containers yourself from tap water:
- Use clean, food-grade containers only
- Fill to ¾ capacity to allow space if water freezes
- Seal tightly
- Label with the date filled and the date to replace (usually within 1 year)
- Store in a cool place
Maintenance
- Check sealed bottle best-before dates once a year
- Swap out oldest bottles first (first in, first out)
- Update supplies during seasonal time changes (spring and fall)
- For containers you fill yourself, replace the water every 6–12 months
Freezing conditions
In an unheated garage or outdoor shed, always leave ¾ full capacity to prevent burst containers when water freezes.
Next: Learn how to purify water if it becomes unsafe and what to do during a boil-water advisory.