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> 8 gallons per person per day. Water is heavy—8 pounds per gallon

The average person needs far less than 65lbs (30kg) of water per day, which is a third of the average male weight in the US.

By medical standards humans need more like 8lbs (under 4l) per day for men and 6lbs (under 3l) for women. Less if your rationing and not exerting yourself.




The normal amount in disaster preparedness is 1gal per person per day. The problem with the larger amounts is that people see they need huge amounts and don't do anything. Better to get started storing 5-7 gal for each person.

The way to allow for extras is to store water for a longer length of time. If recommended value is two weeks, and it is in my area, then a month is a good buffer.


OP’s factoring includes washing, food prep, all that other stuff.


1.28gal for toilet flushing the most efficient toilets. 1.6gal for normal and it can be worse for older ones.

I was on a hike that recommended 1 gallon to complete it for 5 miles round trip.

I’m sure there is a method to the madness of 8 gallons per person that isn’t easy to see. There is a lot of rounding up with the military also.


1.5 a day for washing is hilariously wasteful. Use some wet wipes for crying out loud!


How do you wash your clothes and dishes with wet wipes?

Also you need to clean your home - you don't want to get sick in a catastrophe scenario.




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