Store first. Filter second. Treat third.
This sequence is intentionally boring: simple layers, tested equipment, paper notes and redundant ways to do the same essential job.
Start with factory-sealed drinking water and rotate it through normal use.
Use robust carriers for short-term transport and utility water; label drinking vs non-drinking.
A known filter is useful redundancy, but it does not make every source safe.
Chemical tablets are compact redundancy; follow the label and public-health advice.
Hollow-fibre filters can be damaged by freezing after use.
Know your water supplier, Priority Services arrangements and local collection points.
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A clean, manageable reserve is more useful than relying on filtration alone.
The simplest drinking-water reserve for a short household outage.
Compact filtration backup for microbiologically questionable freshwater when normal supply is interrupted.
A small backwashable filter that works well as a second household or grab-bag unit.
Tiny chemical-treatment backup when product instructions and official advice say treatment is appropriate.
A gravity system is easier for several people than repeatedly squeezing a personal filter.
Separating drinking water from washing and flushing reduces accidental waste.