How many 20L water jars does a family need per month?
A family of four that uses jar water only for drinking needs roughly 18–20 jars of 19 litres a month. If you also cook with it, plan for 24–26 jars. That assumes about 3 litres of drinking water per person per day and about 1 litre per person for cooking. Hot months and guests push the number up.
Running out of water at 9 pm is annoying; paying for jars that sit in the corner for weeks is wasteful. The easiest way to get it right is to estimate from how many people are at home and what you use the jar water for.
Quick table: jars per month by family size
| People at home | Drinking only | Drinking + cooking |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 jars | 6–7 jars |
| 2 | 9–10 jars | 12–13 jars |
| 3 | 14–15 jars | 19 jars |
| 4 | 18–20 jars | 24–26 jars |
| 5 | 23–24 jars | 31–32 jars |
| 6 | 28–29 jars | 37–38 jars |
How we worked it out
One person drinking about 3 litres a day uses around 90 litres a month — just under five 19-litre jars. Cooking rice, tea, coffee and curries adds roughly another litre per person per day. These are planning numbers, not medical advice: children drink less, people doing outdoor work drink more.
What changes the number in Kerala
- Summer (March–May): plan for 15–25% more than the table.
- Monsoon: many homes switch cooking to jar water when well water turns muddy — use the “drinking + cooking” column.
- Guests and functions: a house visit of 10 people for a day uses about 2 extra jars.
- Work from home: add one jar a month for each person who is home all day.
Which Refillr plan fits?
| Monthly use | Suggested plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8 jars | Solo — 10 refills at ₹70 | Refills never expire, so a 10-pack can last more than a month. |
| 8–19 jars | Home — 30 refills at ₹65 | Covers one to three months; one free off-route delivery a month. |
| 20 jars or more | Reserve — 60 refills at ₹60 | Lowest per-jar price, free dispenser, two free off-route deliveries a month. |
Slide to your monthly use and see which plan fits.
Frequently asked questions
How many water cans does a family of 4 need per month?
About 18–20 jars of 19 litres for drinking only, or 24–26 jars if the family also cooks with jar water.
How long does one 20 litre water can last?
For one person drinking about 3 litres a day, a 19-litre jar lasts around 6 days. For a family of four drinking only, it lasts about a day and a half.
How many litres of water should an adult drink per day?
A common planning figure is 2.5–3.5 litres of total water a day for an adult, more in hot weather or with physical work. Check with a doctor for medical needs.
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