How much water your household really needs, how to store it, and how to make it safe.
3 min read · UK guidance · Last reviewed September 2026
Part of our Emergency Kit UK guideSee the complete 72-hour checklist and gear picks in one place →Plan for three litres per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene, for three days. A family of four therefore needs around 36 litres.
Use food-grade containers, keep them out of direct sunlight, and rotate the water every six months. A collapsible carrier stores flat until needed.
A filter bottle covers you if supply is contaminated. If in doubt, boiling water for one minute remains the most reliable household treatment.
What we use to store and treat water at home:
PlusStarnearby · Water
Holds nearly two days of drinking water for a family in one rigid, stackable container.
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