How much water do you think you use daily? Is it 5 gallons, 10 gallons, or even 20 gallons? According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the average American uses between 80 to 100 gallons of water per day. In fact, over 410 billion gallons of water are withdrawn from the U.S. water supply each day!
Now imagine if that supply was suddenly unavailable. What would you do? This is why having an emergency water storage supply is crucial—not only for natural disasters but also for water outages and other unforeseen problems.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having 1 gallon of water per person per day for both drinking and hygiene. For a family of four, this means you should prepare about 120 gallons of water for a month. As you can see, proper water storage preparation can add up quickly, highlighting the importance of storing enough water for your family.
Why Material Quality Matters
All of our water containers are made from BPA-free plastic with heavy-duty walls that are ¼” thick. Constructed from food-grade high-density polyethylene, these containers are safe for water storage and prevent the leaching of harsh, man-made chemicals. The opaque lining protects your water from bacteria growth, ensuring a safer storage solution.
How Long Will Your Water Storage Last?
If you adhere to FEMA's recommendation of 1 gallon of water per person per day, you’ll be able to stretch your water supply further. For a larger family or higher daily water consumption, even a 500-gallon tank can last a substantial amount of time. Use this chart to plan for your family's needs:
| How Long Would 500 Gallons of Water Last Your Family? | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # of Family Members | 1 Gallon per Day | 2 Gallons per Day | 3 Gallons per Day | 4 Gallons per Day | 5 Gallons per Day |
| 1 | 500 days | 250 days | 167 days | 125 days | 100 days |
| 2 | 250 days | 125 days | 84 days | 63 days | 50 days |
| 3 | 167 days | 84 days | 56 days | 42 days | 34 days |
| 4 | 125 days | 63 days | 42 days | 32 days | 25 days |
| 5 | 100 days | 50 days | 34 days | 25 days | 20 days |
| 6 | 84 days | 42 days | 28 days | 21 days | 17 days |
| 7 | 72 days | 36 days | 24 days | 18 days | 15 days |
| 8 | 63 days | 32 days | 21 days | 16 days | 13 days |
| 9 | 56 days | 28 days | 19 days | 14 days | 12 days |
| 10 | 50 days | 25 days | 17 days | 13 days | 10 days |
If you have any questions about your water storage needs, we’d be happy to help! Post your questions below or browse our full selection of water storage containers and water accessories.