Water preparedness at home: how to store and treat drinking water

In the event of a prolonged disruption to the water supply, access to drinking water quickly becomes a practical issue.

This could be due to a water leak, a power outage, technical problems in the water supply, or another situation where regular tap water is temporarily unavailable.

Effective water preparedness therefore needs to answer three questions:

How much water do I need to be able to store?

How do I store it properly?

What do I do if I have to use water from a source where the quality is uncertain?

The last point is especially important.

Having water containers at home is a good start, but water preparedness is just as much about hygiene, storage, and the possibility of safe water treatment.

Short answer: what is needed for good water preparedness?

Basic water preparedness consists of:

• Drinking water stored in clean, food-grade containers
• The ability to fill and transport additional water
• Routines for keeping containers clean
• Knowledge of where alternative water can be sourced
• The ability to treat water if its microbiological quality is uncertain
• A plan for how stored water should be checked and rotated

It is the combination that makes water preparedness robust.

Why is water so important in a crisis?

Water is not just needed for drinking.

In a household, water is also used for:

• Cooking
• Personal hygiene
• Washing dishes
• Cleaning
• Medication
• Pets
• Other daily needs

In situations of limited supply, drinking water and water for food should be prioritized.

Other needs can sometimes be met with water of a different quality.

It is therefore good to consider in advance what water needs the household actually has.

Should you store water at home?

Yes, having a certain amount of drinking water at home is a simple and practical part of preparedness.

It reduces dependence on immediately being able to find an alternative water source if the normal water supply is interrupted.

But storage is only one part.

The water also needs to be stored in a way that minimizes the risk of its quality deteriorating.

What type of containers should be used?

Use containers that are designed for drinking water or food products.

This is important because materials not intended for food contact can affect the water's quality.

A good container should be:

• Clean
• Intact
• Able to be sealed properly
• Easy to fill
• Easy to empty
• Suitable for drinking water
• Practical to carry when full

A very large tank might seem practical, but several smaller containers can sometimes be easier to manage.

Does a new water container need to be cleaned?

Yes, it is wise to clean even new containers before using them for long-term storage of drinking water.

A container may have come into contact with dust, material residues, or other contaminants during manufacturing, transport, and storage.

The same principle applies when a container is reused.

Just because it previously contained drinking water does not automatically mean it is still hygienically clean.

How do you fill a container hygienically?

Start with clean hands and a clean container.

Avoid touching the inside of the lid or the container's opening more than necessary.

If a hose is used, it should also be clean and intended for the purpose.

After filling, the container should be sealed properly.

Good hygiene during the filling process reduces the amount of microorganisms and other material that enter the container from the start.

Where should stored water be kept?

Water should be stored in a way that protects it from unnecessary heating and direct sunlight.

A cool and dark place is generally better than a warm place with strong light.

Also, avoid storing drinking water near products that could leak or affect the container.

This could include, for example:

• Fuel
• Solvents
• Chemicals
• Strong cleaning products
• Other substances with a strong odor

The container should also be placed so that it is not at risk of damage.

How long does stored water last?

There is no simple "best before" date that applies to all situations.

How well water keeps depends on factors such as:

• Water quality at the time of filling
• The cleanliness of the container
• Temperature
• Light
• The material of the container
• How well the container is sealed
• Whether the water or container becomes contaminated after filling
• Therefore, a good routine is more important than simply memorizing a certain number of days or months.

We delve deeper into this in our article: How long can water remain stagnant in a tank or water system?

Should stored water be replaced?

It is wise to have a routine for checking and rotating stored drinking water.

This way, you can simultaneously:

• Check the containers
• Clean them if necessary
• Detect damage or leaks
• Check odor and appearance
• Refill with fresh water
• Instead of discarding old water, it can often be used for cleaning or irrigation, depending on its condition.

Can you just look and smell the water?

No.

Abnormal odor, taste, or appearance can be signs that something is wrong.

However, normal appearance and odor do not automatically mean that the water is microbiologically safe.

Bacteria and other microorganisms can be present in water without being detectable by our senses.

Clear water is not the same as safe water.

What do you do if tap water cannot be used?

It depends on the cause.

If information is available from the municipality or other responsible authority, it should be followed.

In some situations, water may still be in the pipes but needs to be boiled before use.

In other situations, the water may be completely shut off.

In such cases, it may be necessary to use:

• Stored drinking water
• Water from a distribution point
• Bottled water
• Water from another approved source
• Alternative water that is treated before being used as drinking water

Which solution is appropriate depends on the situation.

Can water from a lake or stream be used?

Natural water can look very clean but still contain microorganisms.

It can be affected by, for example:

• Animals
• Sewage impact
• Surface runoff
• Precipitation
• Soil and sediment
• Humans
• Upstream changes
• Therefore, one should not judge safety solely by looking at the water.

If natural water is to be used as drinking water, it needs to be treated appropriately.

What is the difference between filtration and disinfection?

They are two different things.

Filtration

Filtration means that water passes through a material that removes certain particles or substances.

Which contaminants are removed depends entirely on the type of filter used.

Disinfection

Disinfection aims to inactivate microorganisms.

Therefore, a filter is not automatically the same as a disinfection system.

And a disinfectant does not automatically remove, for example, sand, sediment, or chemical contaminants.

In some situations, multiple treatment steps may be needed.

Does boiling water help?

Boiling is an established method for managing microbiological risk in water when authorities recommend it.

However, boiling does not solve all types of water problems.

For example, if water is contaminated with certain chemical substances, heating is not necessarily a solution.

It is therefore important to understand why the water is unsafe before choosing a treatment method.

What is chemical disinfection of drinking water?

Chemical disinfection involves adding a substance in a controlled concentration to inactivate microorganisms.

Different products use different active ingredients and require different:

• Dosage
• Contact time
• Handling
• Storage

It is therefore important to always use a product designed for drinking water and follow the product's instructions.

More product is not automatically better.

What is chlorine dioxide?

Chlorine dioxide, ClO₂, is an oxidant used for water disinfection.

It functions chemically differently from traditional chlorination and is used in both small and large water systems.

We have a separate knowledge article on this: Chlorine dioxide or chlorine, what's the difference?

There, we go into more detail about the differences.

What is FreeBact® Water?

FreeBact® Water is Xinix's product line for drinking water disinfection.

It includes solutions for various water volumes, from smaller quantities for personal use to larger tanks.

For water preparedness, this can be relevant in two different situations.

Water to be drunk

If water comes from a source where the microbiological quality is uncertain, FreeBact® Water can be used according to the product's dosing instructions.

Water in larger tanks

For larger water volumes and tank systems, there are solutions adapted for that type of use.

It is important to distinguish between disinfection of the water itself and sanitization of a system that already has established biofilm.

What happens if a water container has biofilm?

Biofilm consists of microorganisms that have attached to a surface and built a protective structure around themselves.

It can form on:

• Tank walls
• Containers
• Pipes
• Hoses
• Valves
• Pumps
• Other water-contacting surfaces

Simply emptying the water does not necessarily remove the biofilm.

This means that fresh drinking water can come into contact with the same microbiological coating when the container is refilled.

Read more in our article: What is biofilm and why is it a problem in water systems?

Are old plastic bottles good for water preparedness?

It depends on the type of bottle and what it previously contained.

Containers that previously held substances other than food should not be used for drinking water.

Even food packaging can be less suitable for repeated or prolonged use if it is not designed for it.

A container specifically designed for storing drinking water is therefore a safer and more practical choice.

How much water should you be able to carry?

This is often overlooked.

Water is heavy.

A very large container quickly becomes difficult to carry, even if it is practical for storage.

It may therefore be wise to combine larger storage with smaller containers that can actually be transported.

Also, remember that water may need to be collected from a distribution point if an outage is prolonged.

Water preparedness in an apartment

In an apartment, storage space is often limited.

In such cases, a combination of smaller containers or jerrycans may be more practical than a large tank.

Consider locations that are:

• Cool
• Dark
• Easy to access
• Protected from leaks
• Stable enough for the weight

Remember that even small amounts of water quickly become heavy when combined.

Water preparedness in a house

A house often offers greater storage possibilities.

At the same time, the household may have more water-dependent systems and greater needs.

It may therefore be wise to think on several levels:

• Drinking water
• Cooking
• Hygiene
• Reserve water for other needs
• Ability to collect additional water
• Ability to treat water

If the property has its own well, the reliance on electricity for the pump also needs to be included in the preparedness planning.

Water preparedness in a holiday home

Holiday homes pose a particular challenge because water systems often remain unused for longer periods.

This can involve:

• Stagnant water
• Temperature variations
• Biofilm
• Long periods between checks
• Private water source
• Seasonal use

It is therefore important not only to check the water in the tank but also the entire system when the house is brought into use after a longer period.

Don't forget pets

Pets also need water.

When planning household water needs, the needs of animals must therefore also be included.

The amount needed naturally varies depending on the animal, size, activity, and temperature.

A simple plan for water preparedness

You don't need to make it complicated.

Start with five steps.

Step 1: Store drinking water

Have drinking water at home in clean and suitable containers.

Step 2: Plan for more water

Know where and how you can obtain additional water.

Step 3: Have clean transport containers

Make sure they are actually portable when full.

Step 4: Be able to treat unsafe water

If alternative water must be used, you should already know how to treat it.

Step 5: Check readiness regularly

Review containers, water, products, and routines before they are needed.

It is significantly easier to solve problems in advance than during an ongoing water outage.

Frequently asked questions about water preparedness

Do you really need to store water at home?

Yes, having your own supply of drinking water makes the household less vulnerable during a temporary disruption in the water supply.

Can drinking water go bad in a sealed jerry can?

Yes.

Storage reduces external impact, but water quality is still affected by factors such as container hygiene, temperature, and the water quality at the time of filling.

Can you drink rainwater?

Rainwater can be contaminated both in the air and when it hits roofs, gutters, and other surfaces.

Therefore, it should not automatically be considered drinking water without appropriate treatment and assessment.

Can I use pool water as drinking water?

Pool water is not automatically drinking water.

It may contain both chemical substances and other contaminants that make it unsuitable for drinking.

Is lake water safe if it's perfectly clear?

No.

Clear water can contain microorganisms that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted.

Is a water filter enough?

It depends entirely on the filter and the type of contamination present.

Not all filters disinfect water.

Can I store water in the garage?

It depends on factors such as temperature, sunlight, and what other products are stored there.

A cool and protected place without risk of chemical impact is better.

Do I need both stored water and water purification?

They serve different functions.

Stored water provides immediate access.

The ability to treat water provides greater endurance if stored water runs out or if an alternative water source needs to be used.

Summary

Good water preparedness is about more than just filling a few jerry cans.

Consider the entire chain:

• Store good quality water
• Use clean and appropriate containers
• Store water in a cool and protected place
• Be able to transport more water
• Understand the difference between filtration and disinfection
• Have a plan for treating unsafe water
• Check and rotate your preparedness regularly

Then you will have water for the initial period and greater freedom of action if an outage becomes prolonged.

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Contact

Thank you for sticking with us this far!
For any questions or concerns, please get in touch.

Alexandra Németh, Marketing Manager, Xinix Global AB
alexandra@xinix.se
Mobile: 070-78 601 678