Preparing for a water supply problem or boil water notice
What matters most in a water supply problem or boil water notice, what official guidance in Australia says, and long-life food that suits it.
In a water supply problem or boil water notice, the things that matter most are drinking water, water for pets, hand sanitiser, wet wipes. Before a cyclone, fill your bath or buckets so you can still flush toilets if supply is cut.1
What matters most
- Drinking water Essential
3 litres per person per day for drinking is the commonly recommended amount. - Water for pets Essential
An estimate based on each pet's species and size. - Hand sanitiser
For when running water isn't available. - Wet wipes
Useful for cleaning when water is limited. - Toilet roll and bathroom products
Toilet roll, bin bags and other bathroom basics. - Personal hygiene supplies
Toothpaste, soap, period products and anything else your household uses daily.
What official guidance in Australia says
- Before a cyclone, fill your bath or buckets so you can still flush toilets if supply is cut.1
- Store at least 10 litres of drinking water per person, enough for three days.2
- Pack enough hand sanitiser for everyone in the house.2
- For water supply updates, check your council's website and social media, TV news and local radio.3
- Under a boil water alert, an electric kettle is the safest way to boil water.3
- Once boiled water has cooled, keep it in clean containers with lids.3
- There's no need to boil water used for flushing toilets or washing clothes.3
- When the water is declared safe again, follow any instructions to flush your taps.3
Stay safe
Water and food for a few days
For two adults, SupKit's figures for 3 days are:
| 3 days | |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | 18 L |
| Food energy | 56,484 kJ (13,500 Cal) |
Long-life food that suits a water supply problem or boil water notice
Each of these keeps without a fridge:
- Tinned chilli
- Tinned soup
- Baked beans
- Microwave rice pouch
- Tinned tuna
- Crackers
- Peanut butter
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Cereal bars
- Tinned fruit
Allergies, dietary needs and children
Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.
| Food | Typical allergens | Typically suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | varies by recipe | check the label |
| Tinned soup | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Baked beans | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Tinned tuna | fish | check the label |
| Crackers | cereals containing gluten | vegan |
| Peanut butter | peanuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Dried fruit and nuts | tree nuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Cereal bars | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Tinned fruit | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan, gluten free |
Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.
- Labels must declare wheat, fish, crustacean, mollusc, egg, milk, lupin, peanut, soy, sesame, named tree nuts, gluten cereals (barley, oats, rye) and added sulphites.4
- Allergens must be in bold in the ingredient list, plus a separate bold summary starting with 'Contains' near the ingredients.4
- 'May contain' statements are voluntary and not regulated by the Food Standards Code.4
Young children
Questions
What do I need for a water supply problem or boil water notice?
Drinking water, Water for pets, Hand sanitiser, Wet wipes, Toilet roll and bathroom products, Personal hygiene supplies.
How do I stay safe in a water supply problem or boil water notice?
If floodwater may have reached a rainwater tank, don't use that water for drinking or washing yourself.
Sources
- Tropical Cyclone - FAQs, Queensland Government (Get Ready Queensland). Checked 27 October 2026.
- Emergency kit - Get Ready Queensland, Queensland Government (Queensland Reconstruction Authority). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Drinking water during and after a disaster, Queensland Health. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Allergen labelling for consumers, Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Nuts and seeds, Better Health Channel, Department of Health, State Government of Victoria. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Introducing solid food, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Healthdirect Australia, funded by the Australian Government). Checked 28 October 2026.
We summarise official guidance in our own words. Always follow advice from your local authorities.
