How much emergency water per person?
Governments use different units and footnotes. Use this table for planning, then run your household numbers in the calculator.
| Region | Typical planning figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (Be Ready) | ~3 L drinking water / person / day (minimum) | More for cooking, washing, baby formula; build gradually. |
| United States (Ready.gov) | ~1 US gallon / person / day | Drinking + sanitation; “several days” minimum in basic kit list. |
| US Red Cross (common summary) | 1 gallon / person / day | Often quoted as 3-day evac kit + longer stay-home supply. |
| Canada (GetPrepared) | ~2 L drinking / person / day (72 h planning) | Climate and activity may increase needs. |
| Australia (Get Ready QLD example) | ~10 L drinking / person (3-day kit example) | State guides vary; check your state civil defence page. |
| New Zealand / Ireland | Several days stored; often ~3 L/day cited in planning | Follow local civil defence / gov.ie updates. |
Bottled water is not the whole plan
Official guidance usually includes stored tap water in clean containers, rotation, and — where safe — boiling or filtration when advised. Bottled water is convenient for a starter buffer, not the only source.