Home72
How much water to store
The most common figure in European national guidance is 3 litres per person per day for drinking and cooking. For 72 hours that's 9 litres per person.
Quick table (3 days)
| People | Litres for 3 days | Drinking only (minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 L | 4.5 L |
| 2 | 18 L | 9 L |
| 3 | 27 L | 13.5 L |
| 4 | 36 L | 18 L |
| 5 | 45 L | 22.5 L |
| 6 | 54 L | 27 L |
Some guidance gives 1.5 litres per person per day as the minimum for drinking alone (for example the 72-hour campaign of Catalonia's civil protection). Use the calculator for your household.
How to store it
- Sealed bottled water in a cool, dark place.
- Check the best-before date and use the oldest first.
- 1.5-litre bottles are easy to carry and share; add a larger canister or two.
- Remember water for pets.
Making water safe to drink: follow official advice
If tap water is unsafe, only follow the instructions of your local health authorities before drinking or treating it.
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Coming soon to the App StoreSources
- National guidance in Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK — 3 litres per person per day. Based on national public guidance (not official material).
- Protecció Civil, Generalitat de Catalunya — 72-hour emergency kit campaign (2026). Based on figures from Protecció Civil de Catalunya (not official material).
- European Commission — Guidelines on Population Preparedness, 30 October 2026. © European Union, 2026, licensed under CC BY 4.0 — adapted (translated and shortened).
Based on public guidance, in our own words. Not an official app. Always follow instructions from local authorities.