Last, rinse with clean water. Once the container is clean and sanitized, fill it with water you know is safe and screw the cap on tightly. This will make sure every family member knows which containers are for drinking and which aren't. Store the containers upright in a cool, dry place. Since direct sunlight and heat gradually weaken plastic containers, store them away from heat and light to prevent possible leaking.
Water is heavy, so store the containers on a strong shelf or in a cabinet.
To improve the taste of water stored for a long time, pour it back and forth from one clean container to another before drinking. A freezer is also a good place to store water for a long period. You probably won't have enough freezer space to store all the water you will need in an emergency, but storing at least some is a good idea. If you lose electricity, the frozen water will help keep foods in your freezer frozen until power is restored. This depends on the source of your drinking water, which will probably come from a public water supply, bottled water, or an untested source such as a private well or spring.