Tāpuia he wai Store water
In an emergency, water supplies can be cut off or contaminated. Having a safe supply of stored water ensures you can drink, cook, and stay clean if water services are disrupted.
How much water to store
Store at least 9 litres of water per person per day, with a supply to last at least 7 days. Remember to include enough water for pets.
How to store water
Use clean, food-grade containers, and store your water in a cool, dark place. If storing tap water, change it every six months.
For long-term storage, you can use bottled water from the store.
Sanitising stored water
Before drinking stored water, it's essential to ensure it is safe. You can disinfect it using plain, unscented bleach. Let the water stand for 30 minutes after adding the bleach.
Do not use cleaning products like Janola, as they contain detergents that make them unsuitable for treating drinking water.
Bleach Dosage Guide
Here’s a simple guide for how much bleach to use for different amounts of water:
| Water volume | Amount of unscented household bleach |
| 1 Litre | 5 drops (0.25 ml) |
| 2 Litres | 10 drops (0.5 ml) |
| 3 Litres | 15 drops (0.75 ml) |
| 4 Litres | 20 drops (1 ml) |
| 5 Litres | 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) |
| 10 Litres | 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) |
| 20 Litres | 1 teaspoon (5 ml) |
| 50 Litres | 2 1/2 teaspoons (12.5 ml) |
| 100 Litres | 5 teaspoons (25 ml) |
| 200 Litres | 10 teaspoons (50 ml) |