Knowing how much water to store is one thing. Having the right containers to store it in is another. The wrong choice means water that tastes of plastic after three months, containers that crack under the weight of a full stack, or a setup that takes up more space than your household can spare. This guide covers the most practical water storage containers available, organised by household situation, so you can build the right setup for your home.
What Makes a Good Emergency Water Container?
Before getting to specific products, it helps to know what separates a reliable container from one that will let you down. There are five things worth checking.
Food-grade material
Any container used for drinking water storage should be made from food-grade HDPE (high-density polyethylene), marked with recycling symbol 2. This material does not leach chemicals into water under normal storage conditions and is the industry standard for water and food containers. BPA-free labelling is a minimum requirement. Avoid repurposing containers that previously held milk, juice, or cleaning products, as residue encourages bacterial growth even after thorough washing.
Opacity
Light accelerates algae growth in stored water. A good storage container is opaque or at minimum UV-resistant. Most purpose-built emergency containers are dark blue or black for this reason. Clear containers work for short-term storage in dark locations but are not suitable for long-term use in a lighted room or garage.
Seal quality
The cap and spigot are the two most common failure points. A container with a loose or degrading seal will contaminate or lose your stored water. Look for screw-on vented caps rather than push-fit lids, and test the seal before relying on any container for long-term storage.
Practical size and weight
A full 7-gallon container weighs around 58 pounds (26 kg). That is manageable for most adults to move short distances, but consider whether anyone in your household may need to handle these containers alone during an emergency. If mobility is a concern, 5-gallon containers at around 42 pounds are easier to manage, and collapsible containers offer the most flexibility.
Stackability and storage footprint
In most homes, space is the real constraint. Rectangular containers stack more efficiently than round ones. Some containers, like the WaterBrick, are specifically designed to interlock and maximise vertical space. Collapsible containers take up almost no space when empty, which makes them useful for supplementing a fixed storage setup.
Comparison: Six Water Storage Containers for Home Use
| Product | Capacity | Material | Best for |
| Reliance Aqua-Tainer | 7 gal / 26 L | BPA-free HDPE #2 | Home storage, starter kit |
| Reliance Jumbo-Tainer | 7 gal / 26 L | BPA-free HDPE #2 | Jerrycan-style handling |
| Scepter Military Water Can | 5 gal / 20 L | BPA-free HDPE | Long-term durability |
| WaterBrick (8-pack) | 3.5 gal / 13 L each | BPA-free HDPE | Stacking in tight spaces |
| waterBOB Bathtub Bladder | Up to 100 gal / 378 L | Food-grade LLDPE | Last-minute surge storage |
| Reliance Fold-A-Carrier | 5 gal / 20 L | BPA-free PE | Compact storage when empty |
Prices are approximate and vary. Always verify the listing is the main unit before purchasing. Check Amazon.com for current availability and pricing.
The Picks: Which Container is Right for You?
Best overall for home storage: Reliance Aqua-Tainer (7 gal)
The Aqua-Tainer is the most popular emergency water container in its category for good reason. It is made from BPA-free HDPE #2, holds 7 gallons (26 litres), has a hideaway spigot for dispensing without lifting, and stacks efficiently when empty. At around $15 per unit it is the most cost-effective way to build a serious home water supply. A family of four needing a two-week supply at one gallon per person per day would need eight of these, coming to roughly $120 total.
One important note: do not store Aqua-Tainers in direct sunlight or warm spaces. The manufacturer states prolonged sun exposure makes the container brittle and prone to leaks. A cool, dark cupboard, utility room, or basement shelf is the right location.
Best jerrycan-style handling: Reliance Jumbo-Tainer (7 gal)
The Jumbo-Tainer holds the same volume as the Aqua-Tainer but has a traditional jerrycan form factor with an upright pour spout and military-style carrying grip. This makes it easier to pour directly into a pot or pitcher without needing to use a spigot. At around $20 it is slightly more expensive than the Aqua-Tainer but a better choice if you prefer to pour rather than dispense through a tap. The two containers are often used together in the same household.
Best for long-term durability: Scepter Military Water Can (5 gal)
The Scepter is the most robust container in this comparison. It has a 4-inch filling opening for fast filling and easy cleaning, a locking ring to prevent the cap loosening accidentally, and a separate 1-inch pour spout with no moving parts. At around $45 to $50 it costs roughly three times as much as the Aqua-Tainer, but it is built to last 20 years and withstand rough handling. If you are building a long-term storage setup and only want to buy containers once, the Scepter is worth the premium.
Note that Scepter containers are sometimes sold at inflated prices on Amazon when demand spikes after a disaster. If you see pricing significantly above $50, check back in a few days or look for alternative sellers.
Best for limited space: WaterBrick (8-pack, 3.5 gal each)
WaterBrick containers are designed specifically for stacking in tight spaces. Each brick holds 3.5 gallons (13 litres) and the interlocking design means you can build a stable column in a closet or under a bed. An 8-pack gives you 28 gallons (106 litres) of storage, enough for a two-person household for two weeks. They also double as food storage containers for dry goods like rice and beans. At around $130 for an 8-pack they are a more expensive per-gallon solution than Reliance containers, but the space efficiency justifies the cost for apartments and smaller homes.
Best for last-minute surge storage: waterBOB Bathtub Bladder
The waterBOB is a different kind of product. It is a heavy-duty food-grade bladder that fits inside a standard bathtub and can hold up to 100 gallons of water. You deploy it when an emergency is imminent, fill it from the tap in about 20 minutes, and then draw water from it using the included siphon pump. It keeps water safe for up to 16 weeks.
It is not a substitute for a standing water supply. It is single-use and requires advance notice to deploy. But for households with very limited storage space, or as a supplementary emergency measure during a storm warning, it offers a large volume at a low cost of around $30 to $35. Keep one stored flat under a bathroom cabinet.
Best for grab-and-go kits: Reliance Fold-A-Carrier (5 gal)
The Fold-A-Carrier collapses flat when empty, making it practical to include in a vehicle or evacuation bag without taking up significant space. When filled it holds 5 gallons (20 litres) and has a carry handle for transport. It is less robust than the rigid containers but works well as a portable supplement to a home storage setup, or as the primary water container in a 72-hour bag for a vehicle-based evacuation.
How Many Containers Do You Need?
The answer depends on your household size and your target supply duration. Use the figures from your water storage calculation and divide by the container capacity you choose.
Example: a household of 3 people targeting a 2-week supply at 1 gallon per person per day needs 42 gallons total. That is 6 Aqua-Tainers (42 gallons), or 12 WaterBricks (42 gallons), or a mix of both.
A practical starting point for most households is four Aqua-Tainers or Jumbo-Tainers, which covers a family of four for three days. Add containers gradually until you reach your target.
How to Fill and Maintain Your Containers
Filling
- Use cold tap water from a municipal supply directly. No treatment is needed for water from a treated municipal source if containers are clean and sealed promptly.
- For water from a well or untreated source, add 8 drops of unscented liquid chlorine bleach (6 to 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon before sealing.
- Fill containers completely to minimise the air gap, which slows degradation.
- Label each container with the fill date using a waterproof marker.
Storage
- Store in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight and temperature extremes.
- Keep containers away from chemicals, cleaning products, and fuel, as plastic can absorb vapours over time.
- Do not store containers directly on concrete floors if possible. Use a pallet, shelf, or wooden board to reduce moisture and temperature transfer.
Rotation
- Rotate water every 6 to 12 months for HDPE containers stored in good conditions.
- Set a calendar reminder when you fill each container. A twice-yearly rotation schedule (spring and autumn) works well for most households.
- Rotated water can be used for garden watering, cleaning, or toilet flushing. It does not need to be wasted.
What About Purification?
Stored tap water from a treated municipal supply does not need purification before drinking if it was clean when sealed and has been stored properly. However, if there is any doubt about the source quality, or if your stored water has been open for an extended period, treating it before drinking is straightforward.
Boiling is the most reliable method for eliminating biological contaminants. Water purification tablets are compact and effective for treating smaller volumes. A quality portable filter handles repeated treatment over days or weeks without consumables.
Our Recommendations at a Glance
- Best overall value for home storage: Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-gallon
- Best for traditional jerrycan handling: Reliance Jumbo-Tainer 7-gallon
- Best long-term durability: Scepter Military Water Can 5-gallon
- Best for apartments and small spaces: WaterBrick 8-pack
- Best last-minute surge storage: waterBOB Bathtub Bladder
- Best for evacuation and grab-and-go: Reliance Fold-A-Carrier 5-gallon
Most households benefit from a combination rather than a single product. A starting point of four Aqua-Tainers for home storage plus one Fold-A-Carrier in the car covers both shelter-in-place and evacuation scenarios at low cost.
Once you have the right containers in place, the next step is knowing how to treat water from other sources. Our guide to the best emergency water filters covers the options for household use.