Emergency Water Preparedness Guide
A Tennessee homeowner guide for stored water, boil-water advisories, flooding, and home water system restart.
Storms, water main breaks, flooding, power outages, and boil-water advisories can interrupt safe water access. This guide is a simple Tennessee homeowner plan for drinking water, cooking water, and basic sanitation.
Store Emergency Water
CDC recommends storing at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for 3 days, and trying to store a 2-week supply if possible. Store more for pets, pregnant people, sick family members, hot weather, or medical needs.
| Household size | 3-day minimum | 2-week goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3 gallons | 14 gallons |
| 2 people | 6 gallons | 28 gallons |
| 4 people | 12 gallons | 56 gallons |
| Adjust upward | Add pets | + 1 quart to 1 gallon per pet per day depending on size |
During a Boil Water Advisory
- Use bottled water if available.
- If bottled water is not available, bring water to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. In Tennessee mountain areas above 5,000 feet, boil for 3 minutes.
- If water is cloudy, let it settle and filter through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter before boiling.
- Use safe water for drinking, brushing teeth, cooking, baby formula, washing produce, and making ice.
- Follow your local utility or health department notice for when the advisory is lifted.
When Boiling Is Not Enough
If water may be contaminated with fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials, boiling or disinfecting will not make it safe. Use bottled water or another safe source and follow emergency instructions from local authorities.
Home Water System Restart Checklist
- After a water outage or advisory, flush plumbing according to utility guidance.
- Discard ice made during the advisory and clean the ice bin.
- Replace refrigerator, RO, or other filters if advised or if water was contaminated.
Private Wells and Flooding
Tennessee Well Safety
After flooding, do not drink from a private well until the well has been disinfected and tested. Contact your local health department or a certified laboratory for guidance.
Sources and Tennessee Accuracy Notes
CDC - How to Create an Emergency Water Supply.
EPA - Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water.
Tennessee Department of Health - Well Water Testing: test kit steps and interpretation, local resources.
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation - Drinking Water / Division of Water Resources.
Important Disclaimer
This guide is educational. For health-based drinking water decisions, use your local utility report, your local/state health department, or a state-certified laboratory. A free in-home screening can help identify common issues and guide the next step, but it is not the same as a certified lab analysis for every regulated parameter.
Ready to understand your water? Schedule a free in-home water test with Pure H2O.
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