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Water is one of the most important items that you need in your 72 hour kit. Experts say that you need 1 gallon of water per person a day for minimal survival; half a gallon to drink and half a gallon for cleaning and cooking.

Water On the Go

The problem with toting three gallons of water is that it’s heavvvyyy. Three gallons of water weighs about 25 pounds. You’ll probably not be able to carry that much water. You’ll need the ability to clean water. Here are a few options:

Water Purification Tablets

Water purification tablets, found in camping supply stores and online, are tablets that treat water chemically. They are usually comprised of iodine, chlorine, or chlorine dioxide. Water purification tablets are lightweight and relatively cheap. Tablets made with iodine or chlorine will kill giardia and other pathogens in the water, but not cryptosporidium. However, tablets made with chlorine dioxide will kill cryptosporidium, as well as giardia and other pathogens.

The downside of water purification tablets is that they don’t remove particles from the water. Also, water treated with water purification may have a slight chemical taste.

Takeaway: Water purification tablets should be in your 72 hour kit, but you shouldn’t depend upon them solely for your water purification needs.

Filtration Devices

Filtration devices physically remove particles from your water, in addition to removing bacteria and protozoa. Lightweight filters that are appropriate for a 72-hour kit can be found in camping supply stores and online. Filters vary  in price from $30 to over $300. Water filters are measured in microns, where the smaller number the better. We recommend that you get a filter that is .2 microns or smaller to ensure that you are removing giardia.

More expensive filters may also purify water, which remove viruses in addition to bacteria and protozoa. However, you shouldn’t need that level of protection in North America.

Takeaway: Water filters are more expensive than other water purification methods, but they will last a long time in your kit without needing to be replaced.

Bottled water

No matter what methods you use to clean water, you need to store at least some quantity of water. You can carry your water in water bottles or other food-grade water storage containers. Be sure to sterilize the containers before pouring the water in and rotate the water every six months. Your emergency water should be stored away from sunlight and extreme temperatures. You can also purchase water in pouches that are made to store for five years or more.

In addition to having some water in your 72 hour kit, you should have additional water stored in both your home and car. You can store water in clean 2-liter bottles. Just make sure to rotate the water every six months and keep the containers out of sunlight.

Takeaway: It may be difficult to keep a full 72 hours worth of water in your personal 72 hour kit. However you can store extra water in both your car and home.