Short-term vs. Long-Term Water Storage

Whether you’re planning for a short-term disruption like a power outage or a long-term crisis such as a natural disaster, having a sufficient water supply is crucial for your family’s well-being. But there’s more to water storage than just filling a few bottles and stashing them away. To truly be prepared, it’s important to understand the difference between short-term and long-term water storage and why you need both in your emergency plan.

Side by Side Comparison

Let’s explore both strategies with a side-by-side comparison, looking at the differences in quantity, use-case scenarios, container types, required storage conditions, and the different rotation needs for both storage methods.

How Much Water Should I Store?

Short-Term

1 gallon per day per person for 14 days – remember your pets!

According to FEMA: “Store at least one gallon per person per day. Consider storing at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. If you are unable to store this quantity, store as much as you can.” If you can store more, do so. Start by calculating your household’s daily water needs and then plan for both short- and long-term scenarios.

Long-Term

Store as much as you reasonably can with the space you have.

Planning for 1-gallon per-day for each family member for several months to a year sounds like a good guideline but storing this much water is often impractical due to space constraints. Decide how much space you can reasonably allocate to larger containers and concentrate on storing this amount.

When to Use Each Type of Water Storage

Short-Term

For temporary emergencies.

Power outages
Boil-water advisories
Severe weather events like winter storms or heatwaves
Minor utility disruptions or repairs

Long-Term

For longer-lasting emergencies.

Major natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or wildfires
Prolonged power grid failures
Contamination of local water supplies
Major utility disruptions or repairs

Storage Containers Used

The containers used must be made from food-grade plastic.

Short-Term

These containers are typically portable and can be taken with you just in case you need to evacuate.

Commercially bottled water – single and gallon sizes
Larger containers – water bricks, cubes, and 5-gallon jugs work well

Learn more about short-term containers

Long-Term

These containers are typically larger and can hold enough water for several people for an extended period. This should also include smaller containers for siphoning and portability.

55 Gallon Barrel, Larger Drum & Tank, Outdoor Tank, and Cisterns

Learn more about long-term containers

Storage Conditions

All water storage needs to be placed in cool, dark, and dry environments.

Short-Term

Good locations: pantry, closet, basement, elevated shelves in insolated garage

Long-Term

Good locations: basement, elevated platforms in insolated garage

Learn more about proper storage conditions for any type of water storage

Rotation Schedule

Rotation is key to the overall health of your water storage.

Short-Term

Sealed commercially bottled water: up to 1-2 years
Tap water: 6 months
Tap water with water preserver added: up to 5 years

Long-Term

Tap water: 6 months
Tap water with water preserver added: up to 5 years

Learn more about water rotation

Combining Both Methods

Both short-term and long-term water storage are essential components of a well-rounded emergency preparedness plan. Using them together will protect you from minor disruptions to more prolonged emergencies, ensuring your household is ready for anything.

Learn more about short-term water storage
Learn more about long-term water storage

Conclusion

Why not take the first step today? Start small with the minimum amount of water storage for each family member, then gradually expand your efforts. Having both solutions in place will give you peace of mind and help you face any emergency with confidence.