Prepare in a Year 26: Water

News
Written By Sarah Lane
Person washing their hands using water trickling from a portable water tank propped on a tree stump.

We’re starting our Prepare in a Year 26 program with water because, without it, you’re not going to last very long after a disaster.

This category is simple. There’s not much you have to do. But accomplishing the basics does take some heavy lifting and planning.

The Goal

The goal is to store 30 days of water for every person in your household, including animals. The absolute minimum you need is 1 gallon per person per day, or 30 gallons total per person. (Half that for animals.) But you may want to store more since you need the water not just for drinking but also for cooking, cleaning, washing, and bathing.

The Strategy

A stack of water bricks

  • Use 3.5-gallon BPA-free water bricks. When each brick is full, it will weigh about 27 pounds.

5-gallon water storage tanks in a stack

  • You can also opt for 5-gallon BPA-free tanks, but these weigh about 41 pounds when full so be sure to have a hand truck on hand to move them.

  • When you fill each tank, treat the water before sealing the tank so it will store longer. If you use Aquamira solution, you can store the water for 5 years before needing to replace it.

  • The easiest way to store it is in a cool, dry place, like a basement, garage, or shed where the water won’t freeze.

  • Make sure the bricks or tanks won’t topple over and burst in an earthquake. Secure them in a wooden frame attached to a wall. Alternatively, don’t stack them.

  • Make sure to store them above the floor so that in the event of a flood, they will not be damaged. Keep them away from rodents who will gnaw on the containers.

Recommendations

  • Our partner Bay Hay and Feed carries 5-gallon tanks and the Aquamira solution.

  • Our partner Cascadia Ready sells readiness kits that include water tanks. Every sale donates 5 percent to Bainbridge Prepares.

Prizes

Have you finished the January task? Submit proof of your accomplishment and enter to win a prize.

Level Up

Was this task a breeze? Take it to the next level—Advanced or Pro. Read more here.

Read more about water on our Water Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) Team page.

Team Player

Don’t go it alone. Work with other family members or neighbors to prepare. For this category, consider investing in a water cistern to share with one or more neighbors during a disaster.

If you and your neighbors are on a well system, learn about residential wells after a disaster.

Learn More

Consider attending the following upcoming events:

Emergency Preparedness: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

  • Tuesday, January 20, 2026

  • 6 PM–7 PM

  • Bainbridge Public Library

Preparedness is the cornerstone of community resilience. Are you ready? Disaster can come in many forms, and preparing yourself, your family, and your community is one of the most important things you can do.  Bainbridge Prepares,  the  Bainbridge Island Fire Department,  and the  City of Bainbridge Island  collaborate to bring us a monthly series that will cover a variety of topics including: water, sanitation, hygiene, food, communications, and more.  

Please register for a free ticket, available two weeks before the event.

Rainwater Collection for Emergencies

  • Sunday, March 29, 2026

  • 2 PM–4 PM

  • Commodore School Lower Gym

Bainbridge Prepares will present simple methods for collecting and purifying rainwater, offering you a renewable, always-available source of water at your residence, and tips to collect and purify rainwater if you are away from home. The presentation will include practical demonstrations and preparation notes.

Sarah Lane https://bainbridgeprepares.org
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Prepare in a Year 2026!!!