How Much water should I store for emergencies in Canada?
Why Water Is the #1 Emergency Supply
When it comes to emergency preparedness, water should always be your top priority. Clean drinking water is essential for hydration, cooking, sanitation, and first aid — yet it’s often the first thing people forget to store.
In Canada, power outages, boil water advisories, winter storms, wildfires, and flooding can all disrupt your access to safe tap water. Storing enough water for your household is a low-cost, high-impact way to boost your resilience in any emergency.
How Much Water Do You Actually Need?
Public Safety Canada and the Canadian Red Cross recommend storing:
At least 2 litres per person per day for drinking, plus 2 litres for cooking and hygiene.
That’s a total of 4 litres per person per day. For a family of four, that’s 48 litres for a 3-day supply.
Recommended Minimums:
Household Size3-Day Supply7-Day Supply1 person12 L28 L2 people24 L56 L4 people48 L112 L6 people72 L168 L
Tip: If you have pets, add at least 0.5–1L per pet per day depending on size.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Planning
3-Day Supply: The minimum for most emergency kits. Good for evacuations or short disruptions.
7–14 Days: A better goal for rural, remote, or high-risk areas where help may be delayed.
Long-Term: If you’re preparing for prolonged power outages, natural disasters, or supply chain issues, consider storing 1–2 weeks’ worth of water — or investing in purification tools.
Water Storage Options
You don’t need to buy expensive bottled water. There are multiple low-cost ways to store clean water at home:
Everyday Options:
Reuse clean juice or soda bottles (not milk jugs, which can degrade)
Store store-bought jugs (4L or 18L from the grocery store)
Rotate bottled water every 6–12 months
Long-Term Storage:
20L water storage cubes (collapsible or stackable)
55-gallon food-grade barrels with hand pump
Bathtub water bladder (for filling when a warning is issued)
Winter Storage Tips:
Don’t store water in unheated garages or sheds
If storing in a car kit, use flexible plastic containers (they’re less likely to burst)
Purification and Backup Options
In longer emergencies, stored water may run out. Always have a backup method:
Water purification tablets -
Great for bug-out bags
Light and portable
Personal filters (e.g., LifeStraw, Sawyer Mini)
On-the-go
Compact but limited volume
Gravity-fed filters
At home
Good for larger families or off-grid living
Boiling
Most reliable
Boil for 1 minute (3 minutes at high altitudes)
Where Should You Store Water?
In a cool, dark place (closets, under beds, bottom of pantry)
Spread across different locations (some upstairs, some downstairs)
Keep emergency water separate from your daily supply
Pro Tip: Label your containers with the date and rotate every 6 months.
Final Thoughts
Water is one of the simplest — and most overlooked — preparedness steps. By storing just a few containers and reviewing your needs seasonally, you can ensure your household stays safe, hydrated, and ready for anything.
