If you don’t think a lack of safe drinking water is a possibility where you live, think again. California’s 4 year drought problems in the US culminated in 2015 with historic water limitation policies. The California Energy Commission joined Governor Jerry Brown to impose restrictions aimed at cutting the Golden State’s water consumption by a full 25%. This has made many people consider their practicality of emergency water.

California is home to some of the wealthiest and most modern communities in the world, and they do not have enough water for basic needs. Their current drought has delivered their worst water supply situation of the last 1,000 years. What can you do? Keep these top 5 tips for drought and emergency water storage in mind and start preparing today for the inevitable water problems of the very near future.

1 – Begin storing water today, not tomorrow

Each human being requires 1 gallon of water per day. That is just for consumption. When you factor in cooking and bathing, that recommended minimum goes up drastically. Plumbing repairs can shut your water supply off immediately. Man-made and natural catastrophes can also quickly limit your access to safe water and drive your need for securing an emergency water supply.

2 – Honestly study your water usage habits

People waste water every day. They fill a glass full of water, drink half of it and pour the rest down the drain. Some people leave the faucet running while they brush their teeth, another useless and wasteful habit. Every little bit counts when it comes to water conservation, and that means developing smart water consumption habits.

3 – Stock up on moist food

Some foods require no added water for preparation and consumption. Many canned goods are high in liquid and water content. This is a simple way to stretch your current emergency water supply, since you have to eat anyway.

4 – Buy a rice cooker

When cooking on the stove, cover your pots and pans. This helps limit water lost through evaporation. Additionally, it cooks foods faster, which will help you trim your electric bill. Purchasing an inexpensive rice cooker is a great way to minimize the amount of water use when cooking food as well.

5 – Make evacuation bug out plans

If a disaster causes drought and water shortages in your area, you should have a plan in place for evacuating. For multiple survival reasons, planning and preparing a bug out location makes a lot of sense, and drought or water shortage is just one of them. This should include building or purchasing a bug out bag, complete with enough supplies, food and water for 72 hours for each member of your family.