For a week without supply, plan on at least 3 to 5 litres of water per person per day and food that needs no fridge or cooking, around 2,100 kcal per person per day. Keep a filter or purification tablets so you can treat more water if the taps run dry. Sweden's Agency for Civil Defence (MCF, formerly MSB) recommends every household manage at least one week on its own. Here is how to plan it.
Reviewed by Oskar Bjork, defence engineer (Swedish Armed Forces) and adviser to Kapsel. Last updated 2026-06-22.
How much water
- At least 3 litres per person per day for drinking, 3 to 5 litres including hygiene.
- For a family of four over a week that is roughly 84 to 140 litres.
- Store some, and keep a filter or purification tablets to treat more. A collapsible container helps you collect water. See how to purify water safely.
How much food
- Around 2,100 kcal per person per day. For a family of four over a week that is food for 28 person-days.
- Choose energy-dense food that keeps at room temperature: tinned food, crispbread, nuts, muesli, dried fruit. For long shelf life, consider freeze-dried meals.
- A camping stove with fuel lets you boil water and make a hot meal, which matters when it is cold.
Eat in the right order
If the power is out, eat the fridge first, then the freezer, then the cupboard. A full freezer holds the cold for a day or two if you keep it closed.
Keep it simple to maintain
The hard part is not buying it, it is keeping it current. Store food you actually eat and rotate it. Refill water and check dates a couple of times a year. The Kapsel Core handles the water and health side as one module (Water and Health), with a filter and purification built in, so there is less to track. See the Kapsel Core.
Frequently asked questions
How much water should I store per person?
At least 3 litres per person per day for drinking, and 3 to 5 litres including hygiene. Over a week that is roughly 20 to 35 litres per person.
What food should I store for a power outage?
Food that needs no fridge or cooking: tinned food, crispbread, nuts, muesli, dried fruit. A camping stove and fuel let you heat water and cook a simple meal.
How do I make water safe if the taps run dry?
Use a filter or purification tablets. Keep a collapsible container to collect water from a distribution point.
Related: the complete emergency-kit checklist and a week without power and water. Sources: Livsmedelsverket, MCF (mcf.se), krisinformation.se.
Stored water becomes critical during a water shortage or irrigation ban, when the supply tightens.