Start with drinking water
The UK Government checklist uses three litres of drinking water per person per day. For a three-day supply, that is nine litres for one person, 18 litres for two, or 36 litres for four.
Drinking is only part of the plan
You need additional water for food preparation and hygiene. Pets and individual health requirements also need a separate allowance. Our calculator shows the drinking-water starting point only; it is not a complete allowance for every use.
Make storage practical
Use sealed bottled drinking water and follow the storage instructions and dates. Choose container sizes you can comfortably lift and pour. A few smaller bottles may be more manageable than one heavy container. Keep them in a cool place out of direct sunlight and away from household chemicals.
Keep it usable
Check bottles for damage during your kit review and rotate stock. If your water company issues a restriction or drinking-water notice, follow that specific advice. Boiling is not a universal solution to contamination and requires a safe source of heat.
UK Government: Be Ready checklist ↗
Check the linked guidance for updates. Follow local instructions during a real incident. This site does not provide live emergency information.