Water Storage Options: Pros and Cons for Senior Care Facilities

When it comes to emergency preparedness, nothing is more essential than water. Seniors are already more susceptible to dehydration, and even a short disruption in water service can quickly escalate into a health crisis.

Emergencies don’t just mean a loss of power. City alerts can range from boil water advisories to do not drink orders—or the water can be shut off entirely, with or without warning. And if you think you’ll just run out to Costco to buy a few cases of bottled water at the last minute, remember: you won’t be the only one. Empty shelves are a common sight before hurricanes, wildfires, or winter storms.

That’s why water storage is one of the most important parts of your emergency preparedness plan. FEMA recommends at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for three days as a baseline. Many states now require facilities to maintain three or more days on hand—check your local regulations for specifics.

So what’s the best way to store 3 gallons of water for each of your residents  and staff? Each method has strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a breakdown of the five most common approaches administrators use.

1. Plastic Bottled Water (12oz, 1 gallon, 5 gallon containers)

Pros

• Low upfront cost

• Widely available

• 12oz bottles are easy to distribute in emergencies

Cons

• Short shelf life (typically 1–2 years)

• Heavy and labor-intensive to rotate

• Risk of leaks or microplastic degradation over time

• Compliance risk if even a few cases are expired

• 1 and 5 gallon containers are difficult when distributing water to residents 

📌 Pro Tip: Track expiration dates in a spreadsheet and assign a staff member to oversee rotation.

2. Canned Emergency Water (10-Year Shelf Life)

Pros

• Guaranteed 10-year shelf life—no rotation required
• Stacks and stores better than plastic bottles
• Compact and leak-proof
• 12oz cans are easy to distribute
• Reduces compliance risk from expired water
• Easy to grab and transport during an evacuation
• Better value over time
  

Cons

• Higher upfront cost compared to bottled water

📌 Pro Tip: Look at total cost over 10 years. Canned water is typically 2 or 3 times less expensive than rotating bottled water every few years.

3. Large Water Storage Tanks

Pros

• Can store large volumes of water in one place
• One time set up cost, with low maintenance costs

Cons

• Requires regular treatment and testing to prevent contamination
• Even when maintained, stored water often tastes unpleasant
• Difficult to distribute in small amounts during an emergency
• Requires dedicated space and higher upfront cost

📌 Pro Tip: Tanks are best used as a secondary layer, not a standalone solution. Pair them with packaged water for compliance.

4. Water in Plumbing / Hot Water Heaters

Pros

• Already available on-site
• Doesn’t require extra storage space

Cons

• Only usable if municipal water was safe before shutoff
• Requires additional valves to access safely
• Amount of water is limited
• High risk of leaving you with undrinkable water and no backup

📌 Pro Tip: Treat water in the plumbing as an emergency fallback only.

5. Water Vendor Delivery Contracts

Pros

• No storage space needed

Cons

• Roads or supply chains may be compromised during disasters, disrupting your delivery
• Vendor contracts often contain “best effort” language with multiple outs if they cannot deliver
• High risk of no water showing up when you need it most

📌 Pro Tip: Read the fine print. Most vendor contracts are not binding in true emergencies. Use vendor delivery contracts as a last resort, not your primary water plan.

The Bottom Line

Water is the one supply you cannot afford to gamble with. Between boil advisories, contamination alerts, and sudden shutoffs, senior care facilities must plan for multiple scenarios—not just a quick trip to the store.

Every storage method has pros and cons, but the safest approach is a layered one: pair long-term, compliance-ready supplies like canned water with backups such as water tanks or vendor contracts. That way, you’re covered both for surveyors and for the residents who rely on you.

📌 Next Step: Review your facility’s water storage plan this quarter. Ask yourself: If the city shut off our water tonight, how many safe days of supply would we have on hand?