Hi N8tureboy! Well - that depends! The simple answer is yes. But there are a few questions first. Do you lie in town on city water? or out in the country on a well? Do you need water for humans and/or animals?? Do you want to store water for a few days for an emergency type situation where you will use as little water as possible or did you want to carry on as usual?

Everyone should have some water stored - preferably inside to keep it from freezing. You can use empty plastic juice containers for a really cheap solution or 5L blue water jugs that you can purchase.

If you mean large stores of water outside then the only option for it to remain unfrozen is an underground cistern. Melting snow is certainly an option but not one I would want to employ for more than a few days power outage - lots of work to melt it and it will need to be filtered - lots of debris!

A good filter is always a good investment - I recommend the Berkey. Tell us some more and we may be able to be more specific!

I'm on Town power, I do store water in my basement. Looking for a potable water solution. I never really though about having to ration the water, but that's a very Good point.

Im using my water storage as we speak...and feeling very smug about it. We havent had water for 4 days now since the pipes froze in the cold snap. This happens a few times a year. It would be easy for me to not have water storage because I am on a well and even have a second seface well. Neither are very usefull at the moment. Didnt stop me from having coffee this morning . Im looking forward to a shower again. I was three days in need of one before the freeze.lol.
So, to answer your question, damn right, you should store water.I collect those camping 20L plastic containers when I find them at second hand stores or garage sales for a buck or two. They are easy enough to haul where I need them. I once hauled them to a burn pile...just in case...and case happened. It spread to the tall grass and the water helped put it out before it got out of hand. There is 8 in the food storage room. Not all that impressive but enough with the other systems. Add another 6 milk jugs. They are much more convenient to just grab and fill the dogs and chickens waterbowles.So, I am far from having to melt snow or walk over to the pond 15 minits away and boil out the creepy crawlies. It doesnt take long without drinking water before you start opening your canned vegies or fruit just to wet your mouth. Been there, done that.

I've been picking up those Water Cooler Bottles, and storing Bottled water water. Was wondering if it was worth it to get something larger.

Thanks for the advice guys, and is anyone else has anything to add, it would be greatly appreciated.