Water Mistakes and Hidden Fixes: What Most Preppers Overlook

When it comes to preparedness, I’ve recently shared how much water you need, different ways to store it, and how to purify it safely.  If you missed that post, you can read it here: Emergency Water Storage and Purification:  What You Need to Know. 

But there’s more to water security than just stockpiling jugs.

In this post, we’re focusing on the critical mistakes people often make when storing, purifying, or planning for water—errors that could leave you high and dry when it matters most.

We’ll also cover hidden water sources that might be sitting quietly in your home, just waiting to be part of your backup plan. Because if your supply runs out—and it might—you’ll want to know exactly where to turn.

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Common Water Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them

You’ve stored some water and feel pretty good about it. That’s a great start—but even experienced preppers make mistakes that can turn a life-saving supply into a wasted effort.

From poor storage habits to risky purification methods, these missteps can cost you in a crisis. Let’s walk through the most common water mistakes—and how to fix them before they leave you high and dry.

Using Dirty or Improper Containers

Not all containers are created equal. Old milk or juice jugs break down quickly and can leak or grow bacteria—even if you rinsed them out.

Always choose food-grade plastic or containers made specifically for water storage. Wash them thoroughly with hot, soapy water and rinse well before filling.

And don’t forget to label your containers with the fill date.

Storing Water in Direct Sunlight or on Concrete

Stashing water in the garage or on a hot porch might seem convenient, but heat and light can degrade plastic and promote algae or bacterial growth. Sunlight breaks down containers over time, especially clear or thin plastics.

Another common mistake? Storing water directly on a concrete floor. Concrete can leach chemicals and lime into the plastic over time, especially in humid environments. This can affect the taste, odor, and safety of your water.

Plus, concrete floors experience big temperature swings—hot in summer, cold in winter—which can stress the plastic and cause slow leaks or container failure.

Instead, store water in a cool, dark place, raised off the ground using a wooden pallet, plastic crate, or even a thick rubber mat. A small adjustment like this can help your water stay clean, stable, and ready when you need it.

Forgetting to Rotate or Purify Stored Water

Water doesn’t spoil—but it can absorb odors or develop bacteria over time, especially if it’s stored in plastic containers. That’s why it’s important to rotate your stored water every 6 to 12 months.

Use what you’ve stored and replenish it with a fresh supply—just like you would with pantry goods.

Even if your water looks clear, it doesn’t always mean it’s safe to drink.  If you’re getting water from a rain barrel, lake, river, or any source you don’t fully trust, always test it first.

The safest approach is to test and purify. 

I’ll be the first to admit—I don’t have a water testing kit yet, but it’s on my wishlist. I’ve done the research, and if you’re looking to add one too, here’s the kit I’m planning to buy: the Varify Premium Drinking Water Test Kit. It checks for 17 key water quality indicators, including chlorine, fluoride, lead, iron, and bacteria—giving you a clear picture of what’s in your water.

The kit includes 100 test strips, sealed in five individual pouches to keep them fresh, plus 2 bacteria tests that give results in about 48 hours.

It’s simple to use with a color-coded guide, and accurate enough to trust.

While I already have short-term bottled water, 5-year pouches, 50-year canned water (who wants to inherit it?), and Potable Aqua tablets for purification, I know adding a reliable water test kit is the smart next step.

Using Bleach Incorrectly

Bleach can make water safe to drink—but only if used properly.

Too little won’t kill germs. Too much can make you sick.

Use plain, unscented bleach only—no fragrances, thickeners, or additives.  

Here’s the correct dosage:

• 6 drops of 8% bleach per gallon 

• 8 drops of 6% bleach per gallon

Stir and let it sit for 30 minutes. The water should have a faint chlorine smell. If it doesn’t, repeat the process.

⚠️ Warning: No purification method removes radiation. If you suspect water may be contaminated by radiation, do not drink it. Common testing kits won’t detect it—and consuming radioactive water can be fatal.

Poor Maintenance or Broken Gear

You don’t want to discover your siphon pump is missing or your spigot leaks when you’re already in a crisis. Check your water setup every few months and make any needed repairs or replacements ahead of time.

Ask yourself:

• Are containers sealed and labeled?
• Is everything clean and stored off the ground?
• Are your purification tools (filters, tablets, bleach) still usable and within date?
• Is your siphon pump or spigot in working condition?
• Do you have a backup purification method (in case your primary one fails)?
• Have you recently tested or inspected your long-term stored water?
• Do you have enough smaller containers for pouring, sharing, or carrying water?

Even a five-minute check every season can prevent frustration—or worse—during an emergency.

Not Storing Enough Water

A case of bottled water won’t last long in a real emergency. Most people underestimate what they’ll need. The bare minimum is 1 gallon per person per day, but that only covers drinking and light hygiene. For real peace of mind, aim for a two-week supply:

• 1 person = 14 gallons
• 2 people = 28 gallons
• 4 people = 56 gallons

Start small, build over time—but keep increasing your reserve until you’re truly covered.

Not Sharing the Plan with Your Household

If you're the only one who knows where the water is—or how to treat it—your whole plan can fall apart in an emergency.

Make sure your family or housemates:

• Know where water is stored
• Understand how to purify it
• Know what to do if the stored water runs out

Print out instructions and keep them with your supplies. Because when stress is high, clear steps make all the difference.

The Water You Forgot: Hidden Sources in Your Home

You always need a plan in case your main water supply runs out. Step one is simple: make sure you have enough stored in the first place.

As we mentioned earlier, one gallon per person per day is the minimum—but a two-week supply is far more realistic in a serious emergency.

Once you’ve built up your supply, it’s time to think about what you’d do if that water ran dry.

Here are some often-overlooked water sources already in your home. They’re hiding in plain sight—and knowing about them could make all the difference.

Hot Water Heater

Your home’s water heater can hold 30 to 80 gallons of water—and that water is often clean and safe to use.

First, turn off power or gas to the heater. Then close the water intake valve to avoid contamination from backflow.

Open the drain valve at the bottom, and collect water as needed.

If the water is hot, let it cool and purify it before drinking, especially if your tank hasn't been cleaned or used recently.

Toilet Tank (Yes, Really!)

Not the bowl—the tank. If you haven’t added any cleaners, deodorizers, or blue tablets, the water in the toilet tank can be a usable emergency source.

It's clean tap water straight from your plumbing system. 

Always purify before using, just to be safe, especially if your toilet hasn’t been cleaned in a while or you’re unsure what’s been added.

Canned Foods and Drinks

If you’re eating canned fruits, veggies, beans, or soup—don’t pour off the liquid. It may not be ideal for sipping, but it helps with hydration and can be used for cooking or cleaning. Even the juice from canned fruit adds to your water intake. 

Melting Ice

What I didn’t realize until recently is that manual defrost freezers still exist—and they’re common in chest freezers, off-grid setups, and older models.

These freezers build up visible frost over time, and that ice becomes a bonus short-term water source if the power goes out. If you have one of these, you’ve already got extra emergency water on hand—you just didn’t know it.

Even if you have a modern frost-free freezer, there may still be ice trays, freezer packs, or frozen meals that release usable water as they thaw. Let that ice melt fully and purify it before drinking. It’s a simple but smart way to stretch your resources during an extended outage.

Rainwater Collection

You can collect rainwater in a clean pot, bowl, or food-grade bucket in a pinch—but be cautious when it comes to using water from a rain barrel connected to your gutter system. That water is not safe to drink without serious treatment.

Here’s why.  Rainwater that runs off your roof may be contaminated with bird droppings, bacteria like E. coli, or chemicals from roofing materials like asphalt, metal, or old paint. The first rainfall after a dry spell (called the “first flush”) is especially dirty, as it washes off everything that’s built up.

Rain barrel water is generally fine for watering your garden or washing outdoor equipment, but it’s not suitable for drinking unless it’s been properly filtered, purified, and disinfected—ideally with a full system that includes filtration, boiling or UV treatment, and carbon filtering to remove chemicals.

If you want to safely collect rainwater for emergencies, stick to open-air collection with clean containers, avoid collecting runoff from roofs, and always purify it thoroughly before use.

The Bathtub Trick (with a Liner)

If you have warning ahead of a storm or outage, you can fill your bathtub with clean water using a product like a WaterBOB, which holds up to 100 gallons and keeps the water sealed and sanitary.

Product Image from WaterBOB official webpage

If you don’t have one, a freshly cleaned tub can work in a pinch—but be aware that open tubs can collect dust and debris, and the water isn’t sealed for long-term use.  It will provide water for washing and flushing.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I rotate my stored water?

Rotate stored water every 6-12 months, just like pantry goods. Use what you've stored and replace it with fresh water to prevent odors and bacterial growth.

What's the correct bleach ratio for water purification?

Use 6 drops of 8% bleach per gallon, or 8 drops of 6% bleach per gallon. Use only plain, unscented bleach. Let it sit 30 minutes—the water should have a faint chlorine smell.

How much water do I really need for emergencies?

Minimum: 1 gallon per person per day.

Realistic: 2-week supply (14 gallons per person). For a family of 4, that's 56 gallons for true peace of mind.

Can I drink water from my toilet tank?

Yes, but only from the tank (not the bowl) and only if you haven't added cleaners or blue tablets. It's clean tap water, but always purify it first to be safe.

Is rainwater from my gutters safe to drink?

No. Roof runoff contains bird droppings, bacteria, and chemicals from roofing materials. Only collect rainwater in clean containers placed directly outside, and always purify thoroughly before drinking.

Final Thoughts

Water is the foundation of any emergency plan—and it’s not just about how much you have, but how well you’ve planned to store, purify, and access it.

The truth is, even a well-stocked pantry won’t help much if your water is unsafe or runs out faster than expected.

By avoiding common mistakes, testing your water, and knowing where to find hidden sources around your home, you’re setting yourself up for real resilience.

You don’t need to do it all at once—just start where you are. Add a gallon or two this week. Double-check your supplies. Make sure your family knows the plan.

A little effort now can prevent panic later. And when it comes to water, prepared beats lucky every time.