Storing Bulk Potable Water in New Jersey: Tanks, Sizing and How Long It Lasts

Published November 13, 2026 · A Clear Alternative Water, Pennsauken NJ, since 1991

Storing bulk potable water comes down to four things: enough water for the people and uses you are planning for, a clean food-grade tank rated for drinking water, a cool spot out of sunlight that will not freeze, and a schedule to replace the water before it gets old. Federal guidance says to plan on at least 1 gallon per person per day and to replace stored water that is not commercially bottled every six months. For anything bigger than a few jugs, a licensed potable water hauler can fill your tank in one trip and come back on a schedule to refresh it. A Clear Alternative delivers certified potable water to homes, farms and businesses in all 21 New Jersey counties, 24 hours a day. Call 1-888-577-8088.

How Much Water to Store

Ready.gov recommends storing at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for several days, for drinking and basic hygiene. The CDC recommends at least a 3-day supply, and its disaster guidance suggests two weeks if you can manage it. Children, nursing mothers, people who are sick and anyone working hard in hot weather may need more.

Those numbers cover drinking and a little washing. If you want to keep toilets flushing, run a kitchen or water animals, you will need far more. A simple way to size a tank is to look at your water bill or meter for average daily use, then multiply by the number of days you want to cover.

• Household drinking supply: 4 people x 1 gallon x 14 days = 56 gallons
• Household with toilets and washing: often 50 to 100 gallons a day or more, depending on the home
• Businesses, farms and care facilities: use your own meter readings, since uses vary widely

Choosing a Storage Tank

Use a container made for drinking water. The CDC recommends FDA-approved food-grade containers for stored water, because they will not pass harmful substances into it. For larger tanks, the CDC's emergency water planning guide says tanks should meet NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for drinking water use, and new tanks are best, since a tank that once held chemicals can leave residue behind.

What to Look For

• A drinking water rating (food-grade or NSF/ANSI 61), stated by the maker
• An opaque tank, usually white, blue or black, so light does not reach the water
• A tight lid or sealed manway to keep out dust, insects and animals
• A vent with a screen, a drain valve at the bottom, and a fill opening a hose can reach
• Fittings that let a pump connect to the building if you plan to use the water through your plumbing

Weight matters too. Water weighs a little over 8 pounds per gallon, so a 500-gallon tank holds more than two tons. The CDC planning guide notes that the floor or pad under a large tank must be able to carry that load.

Cleaning and Sanitizing Before You Fill

Small containers are easy to clean at home. The CDC says to wash the container with soap, rinse it completely, then sanitize it with 1 teaspoon of unscented household bleach mixed in 1 quart of water, cover and shake so the solution touches every inside surface, and pour it out. Never reuse jugs that held milk or juice, or anything that ever held chemicals.

For a large tank, follow the tank maker's cleaning and disinfection instructions. A new tank should be rinsed before the first fill. A tank that has sat empty or has visible sediment should be cleaned before it is filled again. Ask us when you schedule a delivery if you have questions about getting a tank ready.

How Long Stored Water Stays Fresh

Federal guidance is consistent: replace stored water that is not commercially bottled every six months. Ready.gov and the CDC both say so. Label every container or tank with the date it was filled.

The CDC planning guide adds that water stored in filled containers should keep a detectable free chlorine level to stop germs from growing, and that the level should be checked at least daily while the water is in use during an emergency. A drinking water chlorine test kit can tell you whether a residual remains. If stored water smells off, looks cloudy or the tank has been opened and left uncovered, do not drink it; use it for flushing or cleaning and refill with fresh water.

Where to Keep a Tank in a New Jersey Winter

The CDC says to keep stored water in a cool place out of direct sunlight, at a fairly steady temperature, ideally between 50°F and 70°F, and away from gasoline, pesticides and other chemicals. In New Jersey that usually means a basement, heated garage, barn with freeze protection or an insulated shed. An outdoor tank can freeze and crack in a January cold snap, and sunlight on a clear tank in summer encourages algae. If a tank has to sit outside, choose an opaque one, insulate the fittings, and plan to keep it full and in use rather than idle.

Filling Large Tanks by Delivery

Filling a big tank with a garden hose can take hours, and if you are on a well, it puts a heavy load on the pump. We haul certified potable water in a dedicated tanker that carries up to 6,200 gallons, so one trip can fill a large tank or several smaller ones. We can also come back on a schedule, every six months for a standby supply or more often for a tank you draw on every day.

If you already have a cistern or underground holding tank, see our guide to filling a cistern or holding tank with potable water.

Who Keeps Bulk Water on Hand

• Homes on private wells, as a backup for a pump failure, power outage or a dry spell. See our guide to drought watches and private wells.
• Farms, so animals have water if the barn line freezes or the well goes down. See livestock water during a drought.
• Nursing homes, clinics and child care centers, which need a written plan for water outages. See our emergency water planning guide for health care facilities.
• Restaurants, offices and job sites, which can keep a tank ready to keep sinks and toilets going. See our commercial water page.

Serving All of New Jersey

A Clear Alternative has been family-run since 1991 from 9230 Collins Ave in Pennsauken, and we hold New Jersey potable water hauler license #0704582. We deliver to all 21 counties, from Sussex and Warren in the north to Cape May in the south. See our emergency water delivery page and service areas.

When to Call A Clear Alternative

Call us when you have a new tank ready for its first fill, when your stored water is due to be replaced, or when you want a standing refill schedule before winter storms or summer dry spells. Tell us your address, the size of the tank, where it sits and how close a truck can park. We answer 24 hours a day at 1-888-577-8088, or you can request a quote online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water should I store for an emergency?

Ready.gov recommends at least 1 gallon per person per day for several days. The CDC recommends at least a 3-day supply and two weeks if possible. Add more for toilets, washing, animals or business use.

How often should stored water be replaced?

Replace stored water that is not commercially bottled every six months, according to Ready.gov and the CDC. Label each tank or container with its fill date.

What kind of tank is safe for storing drinking water?

Use a food-grade container or a tank rated to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for drinking water, ideally new and opaque, with a tight lid. Never use a tank that once held chemicals.

Can I keep a water storage tank outside in winter?

Water stored outside can freeze and crack the tank. The CDC recommends a cool place out of sunlight at a fairly steady temperature, so a basement, heated garage or protected barn is better.

How large a tank can you fill?

Our potable tanker carries up to 6,200 gallons per trip, and we can schedule regular refills.