Water Storage

5 Water Storage Tanks for Home Emergency Water in 2026

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A large green water storage tank on a gravel pad beside a farmhouse

The short answer

Water storage tanks make sense once jugs and barrels run out of room. Pick a tank rated for drinking water if you will drink from it, and plan the base before you buy.

Last updated September 2026

Contents8

Our top 5 picks

  1. 1Best starter tank for drinking waterWaterPrepared 55-Gallon Stackable TankView at eBayRead our analysis
  2. 2Best compact tank with a locking lidUS Water Systems 35-Gallon TankView at eBayRead our analysis
  3. 3Best low, square tankRomoTech 50-Gallon Square TankView at eBayRead our analysis
  4. 4Best mid-size horizontal tankRomoTech 550-Gallon Tank with LegsView at eBayRead our analysis
  5. 5Best large drinking water tankElkhart Plastics 1000-Gallon Vertical TankView at eBayRead our analysis

Water storage tanks pick up where jugs and barrels leave off. A tank holds more water in one place, often with a spigot or drain, and can take rain water or well water as well as tap water. The key choice is whether you will drink from it. That decides what tank you need.

#1. WaterPrepared 55-Gallon Stackable Tank: best starter tank for drinking water

#2. US Water Systems 35-Gallon Tank: best compact tank with a locking lid

#3. RomoTech 50-Gallon Square Tank: best low, square tank

RomoTech 50-Gallon Square Tank

Our verdict:

Best low, square tank

Best for trailers, truck beds and low spaces.

View at eBay

Keep in mind: the listing aims at farm and utility use. Confirm it suits drinking water before you store water to drink in it.

#4. RomoTech 550-Gallon Tank with Legs: best mid-size horizontal tank

#5. Elkhart Plastics 1000-Gallon Tank: best large drinking water tank

See the 1000 gallon tank guide.

Factors to consider when choosing a water storage tank

  • Drinking or not. For drinking water, look for food-grade or NSF/ANSI 61 listings. Utility tanks may be fine for gardens and cleaning only.
  • Light. Dark or opaque tanks block light, which slows algae growth.
  • Fittings. A spigot or drain near the base, and a wide lid for cleaning.
  • Weight. Water weighs about 8.3 pounds per gallon. A 500-gallon tank weighs over two tons when full.
  • Shape. Vertical tanks save floor space. See the vertical water storage tank guide. Low horizontal tanks suit trailers and tight heights.

How we picked these water storage tanks

We checked each tank's listing for material, fittings and whether it is meant for drinking water. We followed the container rules on Ready.gov's water page and in the CDC's water storage guide. Details come from each listing, so check the current page before you buy.

Setting up a water storage tank

Put the tank on a flat, level, solid base that can hold its full weight. Keep drinking water tanks out of direct sun when you can. Clean and sanitize before first use, following Ready.gov's bleach steps. Label the fill date and replace or treat water on a schedule. For rain collection, remember the EPA's point that roof water can carry bacteria and chemicals, so treat it as non-drinking water unless you filter and disinfect it.

For smaller options, see the water storage containers guide. For the full water plan, see the rain water barrel hub.

Questions people also ask

Are plastic water storage tanks safe for drinking water?

Only if the tank is made for it. Look for food-grade or NSF/ANSI 61 listed tanks. Many farm and utility tanks are for non-drinking use only.

How often should water in a storage tank be changed?

Ready.gov and the CDC say to replace water you store yourself every six months. Large tanks that you draw from and refill often need a cleaning routine too.

What size water storage tank do I need?

Start from one gallon per person per day. Two weeks for four people is 56 gallons. Larger tanks suit rain collection, gardens, livestock or longer outages.