WaterPrepared 55 Gallon Tank review: a month of household water stored before the outage

This is a research-based review, based on manufacturer specs and published data. We do not test products. Specs come from WaterPrepared's product page for the Blue 55 Gallon Water Storage Tank, checked November 1, 2026. Storage guidance comes from the CDC.

Water is the first thing to plan for in a long outage. Many treatment plants and pumping stations need electricity, and the CDC's baseline is at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days, with a 2-week supply if possible. A 2-week supply for four people is 56 gallons. That is the job this tank is sized for.

Most 55-gallon drums only have bung caps on top, so getting water out means a pump or siphon. WaterPrepared's design moves the access to the front: spigots that take a standard garden hose and utility valves at the front and center. In an outage that matters more than any other spec, because you will be drawing water from it several times a day.

Who should buy it

• Families planning for outages of a week or more, especially where the water system depends on grid power or a private well pump.
• Homes with a garage, basement or utility room that stays near the CDC's recommended 50°F to 70°F storage range.
• Anyone building toward a 30-day plan who wants several tanks: the stackable design saves floor space as the reserve grows.

Who should skip it

• Upper-floor apartments. Roughly 460 lb on a 22 × 28 in footprint is a concentrated load; check with your building before placing one.
• Renters who move often. Draining and moving a 55-gallon tank is a project.
• Households that will not rotate water. Stored tap water should be replaced every 6 months per the CDC, which means draining 55 gallons twice a year.

Strengths

• Front access. Hose-thread spigots and utility valves mean no pump is needed to fill a pot or jug.
• Food-grade material. The maker states HDPE that is BPA free and FDA/NSF approved, with a UV-resistant blend.
• Stackable. The maker designs the tanks to stack or sit side by side, so a second or third tank does not double the floor space.
• Large fill cap. Easier to fill and to clean than a narrow bung opening.
• One container, many days. About 55 person-days at the CDC baseline, or two weeks for a family of four.

Drawbacks

• Weight. About 460 lb full by our arithmetic. Fill it where it will stay, on a level, solid floor.
• No treatment or pump included. The listing is the tank. You still need bleach or another disinfection method for water stored past 6 months or of uncertain quality.
• Rotation work. Draining and refilling every 6 months is the routine the CDC recommends for tap water you store yourself.
• Not portable. For carrying water to a car or a neighbor, add smaller jugs.

How it compares

The main choice is how much to keep in one place versus in containers you can carry.

Using it in a long outage

Setting it up before an outage

1. 01Pick a spot that stays cool and dark. The CDC recommends 50°F to 70°F, out of direct sunlight.
2. 02Keep it away from gasoline, pesticides and other chemicals. The CDC specifically warns against storing water near toxic substances, which rules out the shelf next to the gas cans.
3. 03Set it on a level, solid surface with the spigot side facing you and room underneath to fit a bucket or pot.
4. 04Clean the tank with soap and water, rinse, then sanitize: the CDC method is 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach (5% to 9% sodium hypochlorite) per quart of water, swirled over all surfaces, then poured out.
5. 05Fill with tap water from a drinking-water-safe hose, cap it and label the fill date. Replace the water every 6 months.

Using it through a long outage

Draw water into a clean pitcher or jug for the kitchen rather than drinking straight from the spigot, and keep the spigot clean. Budget 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene; flushing and washing take more, so collect rain or gray water for toilets and keep the tank for people. If you are stretching the supply past 2 weeks, add a filter and disinfection plan for any outside water you collect, such as a Sawyer Squeeze followed by bleach.

In freezing weather, a tank in an unheated garage can freeze and crack fittings. If a winter outage is likely, either store it in conditioned space or leave headroom and check it during deep cold. Our guide to water when the taps stop covers how long municipal systems run on backup power and how to plan around it.