Water is the first real bottleneck in any Indian emergency. Food shortages take days to matter. Power cuts are routine. But water failure creates immediate stress, conflict, and health risk. Most Indian households believe they are “covered” because taps usually work, tanks exist, or RO systems are installed. That belief collapses quickly under pressure.
This article focuses only on water. It does not assume a worst-case apocalypse. It assumes common Indian disruptions like power cuts, tanker shortages, contamination during monsoon, or administrative shutdowns. Other basics like food and shelter are covered separately in The Rule of 3s (Indian Context).
How Much Water You Really Need#
Most online advice quotes 3 to 4 liters per person per day. That number is incomplete and often misleading in the Indian context.
Drinking water alone may be 3 liters, but total survival water includes cooking, basic hygiene, utensil cleaning, and minimal sanitation. In Indian climates, especially in summer, dehydration risk increases even during inactivity. Sweating occurs even indoors. Children, elderly people, and those with fever or diarrhea need more, not less.
A realistic minimum for Indian households is:
- 3 to 4 liters for drinking
- 2 liters for cooking
- 3 to 4 liters for hygiene and cleaning
This puts the true minimum at 8 to 10 liters per person per day, even when conserving. Toilets are not included here because alternative methods are often used during shortages.
For a family of four, even a short 5-day disruption requires 160 to 200 liters. Most overhead tanks cannot be relied on because they depend on electricity and are shared in apartments. Panic usage by neighbors accelerates depletion. This is why water planning must be done independently of building infrastructure.
Risk assessment for family size and health conditions should be done alongside Risk Assessment for Indian Households.
Storage Methods for Small Flats#
Indian flats rarely have spare storage space, which leads people to avoid water prepping entirely. This is a design problem, not a space problem.
Water does not need to be stored in one large container. Distributed storage works better in flats. Smaller containers are easier to rotate, hide, and move. Common options include:
- 20-liter food-grade cans
- 10-liter stackable containers
- Reused packaged water jars if cleaned properly
Storage locations matter. Avoid terraces and balconies due to heat and contamination. Under beds, behind sofas, inside unused cabinets, and under kitchen counters are more stable. Containers should be opaque to prevent algae growth.
Rotation is essential. Stored water should be replaced every 3 to 6 months. In summer, rotation should be more frequent due to heat. Label containers with fill dates using marker tape.
Do not rely only on overhead tanks. In apartments, water pressure failure, pump shutdowns, or RWA restrictions can make stored water inaccessible. Independent storage is a core principle of bug-in planning, which is discussed later in Bug In vs Bug Out (Indian Reality Check).
RO Dependence Risk#
Reverse Osmosis systems are one of the biggest hidden vulnerabilities in Indian homes.
RO systems require electricity, regular filter replacements, and sufficient input pressure. During power cuts, water shortages, or emergencies, most RO systems stop functioning entirely. Even when power returns, filter contamination can make the output unsafe.
Another overlooked issue is wastage. RO systems reject a large percentage of input water. During scarcity, this becomes unsustainable. Many families store only RO-purified water and discard tap water entirely, leaving them with no backup.
A better approach is layered dependency:
- Store raw municipal or borewell water
- Have non-electric purification options
- Use RO only when conditions are normal
This ensures flexibility. RO should be treated as a convenience layer, not a survival layer. Overdependence on RO has caused real problems during lockdowns and power failures, which are discussed in Why Indians Specifically Need Prepping.
Rainwater Harvesting Basics#
Rainwater harvesting is not only for houses with land. Even flat residents can benefit if done legally and practically.
At its core, rainwater harvesting means capturing rain before it mixes with contaminants. The first flush should always be discarded because it carries dust, bird droppings, and pollutants. After that, rainwater can be collected for non-drinking purposes or filtered further.
For independent houses, rooftop collection into drums or underground tanks is common. For flats, balcony or window-level collection using clean tarpaulin funnels into containers is possible during heavy rains, provided local regulations allow it.
Rainwater is best used for:
- Cleaning
- Toilet flushing
- Gardening
- Emergency washing
With proper filtration and boiling, it can be made potable, but this requires preparation and knowledge. Rainwater harvesting reduces tanker dependence during monsoon disruptions and provides psychological relief during shortages.
This topic connects closely with infrastructure failures discussed in Types of Threats in India.
Water Purification Methods Available in India#
Purification is not a single solution. It is a toolkit.
Boiling is the most reliable method but requires fuel and time. Gas shortages or power cuts can limit its use. Chemical tablets are lightweight and effective but alter taste and require correct dosage. Ceramic and gravity filters work without electricity but need maintenance.
Common Indian options include:
- Boiling
- Chlorine tablets or drops
- UV pens with battery dependency
- Gravity-based filters
- Ceramic candle filters
Each method has tradeoffs. A layered approach is recommended. For example, gravity filter as primary, boiling as backup, chemical tablets as emergency.
Purification should be practiced before an emergency. Many people own filters but do not know cleaning cycles, flow rates, or failure signs. Practicing during normal times prevents panic later.
Medical risk from contaminated water escalates faster than hunger. This is why water prep connects directly to health planning, which will be covered in a later medical preparedness article.
Water prepping is not about stockpiling indefinitely. It is about removing single points of failure in daily life. Once water is stabilized, other prepping decisions become easier and more rational.
