How Much Water Should Your Family Have Ready? What the Government Recommends
Over the past few weeks, we have been getting a lot of calls and emails from customers asking the same thing: “How much water should I be storing at home?”
It is a fair question, and the honest answer is not complicated. The Government of Canada has a clear recommendation, and we want to share it with you straight, without the alarm bells.
What the Government of Canada Actually Recommends
Canada’s public safety guidelines recommend that every household maintain a 72-hour emergency kit. For water, that means four litres of water per person, per day for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.
So for a family of four, the government’s baseline is 48 litres (about 2.5 of our 18L bottles) for a 72-hour period.
You can read the full guidance directly at GetPrepared.gc.ca, Canada’s official emergency preparedness resource.
Why Distilled Water Makes Sense for Emergency Storage
Not all stored water is equal. Here is why many families in Mississauga, Brampton, and across the GTA choose distilled water for their emergency supply:
- No minerals or contaminants to degrade. Distilled water is purified to 0 to 5 PPM, so there is very little in it to go off over time.
- Sealed 18L bottles store well. Kept in a cool, dark spot away from direct sunlight, sealed distilled water holds its quality for an extended period.
- No fluoride added. For families who prefer to avoid fluoride, knowing exactly what is in your water supply matters, especially in a pinch.
- Ready to drink, cook with, or use in medical equipment. CPAP machines, baby formula, wound care. Clean water does more jobs in an emergency than people realise.
How Many Bottles Do You Actually Need?
Here is a simple breakdown using the government’s 4L per person per day figure:
| Household Size | 72 Hours (Gov’t Minimum) | 2 Weeks | 90 Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 12L | 56L (3 bottles) | 360L (20 bottles) |
| 2 people | 24L (1.5 bottles) | 112L (7 bottles) | 720L (40 bottles) |
| Family of 4 | 48L (3 bottles) | 224L (13 bottles) | 1,440L (80 bottles) |
Most households find the 72-hour and 2-week ranges the most practical to start with. You do not need to fill a basement overnight.
A More Sustainable Option: 3 Gallon Glass Bottles
If you are thinking about a longer-term water supply at home, our Italian glass bottles are worth a look. The 3 gallon (11.3 litre) size holds just the right amount. It is light enough to move around without straining, and glass does not leach anything into the water over time the way some plastics can.
The bottle is yours to keep. We refill it on your regular delivery for $15.95, available in distilled or spring water, with a minimum of 4 bottles per stop. A lot of families who want a cleaner, more permanent setup go this route instead of cycling through single-use packaging.
Glass is a practical emergency storage choice. It does not absorb odours or off-flavours, it is easy to clean, and a sealed glass bottle stored properly will hold its quality for a long time. For households that want to build a proper supply and keep it maintained, it is a solid option.
Interested in the glass bottle program? Call us at 905-670-7400 and we can get you set up on your next delivery.
What About a Home Water Distiller?
Some of our customers have asked about home distillers for exactly this reason. Having the ability to produce pure water from tap water at home, regardless of what is happening with the municipal supply, is a real advantage.
A countertop water distiller is a legitimate long-term option for households that want self-sufficiency. It takes tap water and boils it into steam, leaving virtually all contaminants behind. What you get is clean, 0 to 5 PPM water you made yourself.
The tradeoff is that distillers produce water slowly, typically 4 to 6 litres at a time over a few hours, and they require electricity. They are not a replacement for a stored supply, but they complement one well.
Honest Advice From 40 Years of Delivering Water
We have been delivering distilled water to GTA families since 1986. We are not here to sell you fear. But when customers call us asking how to be more prepared, we want to give them a straight answer.
Start with the government’s 72-hour recommendation. Work up from there at your own pace. And if you want the cleanest water available for that supply, we are here when you need us.
Questions? Call us at 905-670-7400 or order online. We deliver across Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Caledon, Etobicoke, and the surrounding GTA.
Sources: Government of Canada — Your Emergency Preparedness Guide
