diff --git a/database.env b/database.env
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d26df95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/database.env
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+POSTGRES_USER=user
+POSTGRES_PASSWORD=password
+POSTGRES_DB=database
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index 8c8a8a3..28ffa76 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -8,4 +8,14 @@ services:
       - ./pwa/:/app
     ports:
       - "3000:3000"
-    container_name: haiti_pwa
\ No newline at end of file
+    container_name: haiti_pwa
+    
+  database:
+    image: "postgres" # use latest official postgres version
+    env_file:
+      - database.env # configure postgres
+    volumes:
+      - database-data:/var/lib/postgresql/data/ # persist data even if container shuts down
+        
+volumes:
+  database-data: # named volumes can be managed easier using docker-compose