5 Mistakes People Make with Emergency Water Storage (And How to Avoid Them)
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Introduction: Storing water sounds simple — just fill a few bottles, tuck them away in the pantry, and forget about them, right? Not quite. Water is the single most important survival item in any emergency plan, and improper storage could lead to contamination, waste, or total failure when you need it most. In this article, we’ll dive deep into five of the most common water storage mistakes and show you how to avoid them with smart, proven strategies.
Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Containers
It’s tempting to reuse soda bottles, milk jugs, or other plastic containers lying around the house. But these aren’t designed for long-term storage, and worse, they can leach harmful chemicals or allow bacteria to grow over time. Milk jugs in particular break down quickly and are difficult to sanitize.
Solution: Invest in BPA-free, food-grade emergency water tanks specifically designed for potable storage. These containers are built to seal tightly, prevent contamination, and withstand environmental stress like temperature swings and impact.
Mistake #2: Storing Water in Sunlight
Stashing your water outside or in a sun-drenched room? That’s a fast track to algae growth and plastic degradation. UV rays not only affect the integrity of the container but also promote biological contamination in clear or translucent tanks.
Solution: Always store water in opaque, UV-resistant tanks and keep them in a shaded or indoor area. A garage, basement, or utility room works well. Emergency Water Tanks are manufactured with opaque walls that block light and preserve purity.
Mistake #3: Forgetting to Rotate or Treat Water
Many people assume water lasts forever if stored in a sealed container. While it doesn’t “go bad” the same way food does, water can become stagnant, taste unpleasant, or grow bacteria if not treated and rotated properly.
Solution: Add water preservers to your tanks if storing longer than 6 months, and rotate water at least once a year. Label each tank with the date it was filled. This simple habit ensures your water is always fresh and ready to use.
Mistake #4: Not Storing Enough Water
“I’ve got a case of bottled water, I’m good.” Not so fast. One gallon per person per day is the absolute minimum recommended by FEMA, and that’s just for drinking and light hygiene. Add in cooking, pets, and washing, and your needs skyrocket.
Solution: Use a water storage calculator to determine exactly how much water you need. For a family of four over two weeks, that’s 56–112 gallons. Emergency tanks come in multiple sizes to accommodate short- and long-term storage goals.
Mistake #5: No Way to Access or Dispense the Water
You’ve done it — you bought the big tank, filled it, stored it properly... but how do you actually use the water in an emergency? Many families forget to consider how they’ll extract water quickly and safely.
Solution: Choose tanks with integrated spigots or ports compatible with gravity-fed systems, hose attachments, or hand pumps. Emergency Water Tanks are designed for real-world usability when it matters most.
Bonus Tip: Not Factoring in Mobility or Refill Plans
In a long-term outage, evacuation, or mobile situation, large tanks may be impractical. Many people forget to consider how they’ll refill or relocate water supplies.
Solution: Mix tank sizes: have large tanks for base storage, and a few 5–7 gallon jugs for mobility and refilling. That way, you're ready for both shelter-in-place and bug-out scenarios.
Emergency Water Storage Checklist
- ✅ Use BPA-free, food-grade tanks
- ✅ Store in a cool, shaded or indoor location
- ✅ Rotate every 6–12 months
- ✅ Treat long-term water with preservatives
- ✅ Ensure easy access with spigots or siphons
- ✅ Calculate realistic storage needs
- ✅ Keep a mobile refillable option on hand
Conclusion: Store Smarter, Not Just More
Emergency water storage isn’t something to leave to chance. These common mistakes are easy to avoid — and correcting them now could save you time, money, and stress later. Whether you’re storing 50 gallons or 500, investing in the right system and habits ensures your family has safe, usable water when it’s needed most.