In much of the northern and western hemispheres, people are experiencing extremely hot weather. Perhaps you have been considering getting a jug of water to keep in your fridge when you come inside from the heat?
Tap water can be stored in the fridge for up to six months. We recommend using a glass container to prevent potentially harmful toxins from seeping into your water. After 6 months, you risk potentially harmful toxins or bacteria developing in your water.
Make sure you replace your water regularly to prevent this from occurring.
What should you do if you hear about a potential natural disaster? How should you prepare water for long-term storage? What is the best container for storing your water for emergencies? We will give you all the details you need in this article!
Does Tap Water Go Bad?
Tap water does not go bad, but it can get contaminated. Tap water will last up to six months when properly stored in the refrigerator.
Water usually goes bad due to environmental factors, such as contamination in the water or the presence of bacteria. However, as long as it is kept in a secure place and away from potential contaminants, it should last up to 6 months.
If you want to store your tap water in the refrigerator, you should first boil it. This will kill most of the bacteria and germs, which will prevent the water from becoming toxic. However, even if you leave the water unboiled, as long as you store it in the refrigerator, it is unlikely to go bad.
To prevent mold, bacteria, and other potentially harmful contaminants from developing in your water, sanitize the container before use.
Ideally, you should only use a metal or glass container rather than a plastic container for longer-term storage. Plastic has toxins that can leach into the water, which is why it is not ideal for long-term storage.
Do not use an unwashed and unsanitized container. This will further prevent any potential contaminants from accumulating in the water. Preferably, unless treated for long-term storage, keep it in the fridge for the best quality.
How Do You Know If Water Has Gone Bad?
Water that has gone bad usually smells musty, is cloudy, and might have some debris present. Cloudiness could represent the presence of bacteria or microorganisms in the water. Mustiness might indicate that debris or contaminants are present in the water.
As mentioned in the previous section, water does not “go bad” in the conventional sense. Water does not have any components which spoil its compositional parts.
Milk, for example, contains lactose which can spoil and ferment with time. Water has no such thing. However, water is a solvent, which means it breaks down and absorbs elements from the environment around it.
Water can absorb toxins from the surrounding area, especially if it sits or flows through this space for a while. Murky colors, cloudy surfaces, or a putrid or musty smell can indicate the presence of such contaminants.
If you notice the presence of algae or mold inside the water container, you should not drink the water. Mold and algae usually appear in water that has sat for a long time in a humid space. Mold and algae are usually harmless; however, some strains are very dangerous if consumed.
Always throw away the water if you notice the presence of mold or algae. The jar should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. If you can not kill the mold or algae, you should throw the container away.
Can You Get Sick From Drinking Old Water?
Water with dangerous pathogens, bacteria, or other contaminants can get you very sick. However, water does not expire. Therefore, drinking old water will not harm you. Drinking contaminated water can potentially harm you, however.
Old water might taste and smell stale. This is sometimes found to be unpleasant, which is why many water companies add minerals to improve the taste of bottled water.
This taste is not indicative that the water has spoiled, though. It is simply the oxidation and minerals in the water breaking down over time and the water losing its taste.
Water that is contaminated can harm the body, though. Bacteria, pathogens, and other microbes can cause digestive distress. This includes parasites infesting the intestines, leading to extreme dehydration and cramping.
Additionally, water contaminated with heavy metals such as lead can cause psychological and medical conditions. Cases such as the water contamination scandal in Flint, Michigan caused many to get lead poisoning and legionnaire’s disease.
However, old water is not dangerous to drink. Contamination is present before the water gets old or is caused by cross-contamination while it is in the bottle.
How Should You Store Water For Long-Term Storage?
Tap water should be stored in a clean container with a lid in the fridge. This should keep the water clean and safe from cross-contamination for up to 6 months.
To store tap water at room temperature for an extended period of time, you should sanitize the container and water. Ensure it is kept in a cool, dark place away from sunlight to keep the water temperature cool.
According to the CDC, this is the safest way to keep water for prolonged storage:
- Sanitize your water source
- Sanitize your water containers
- Ensure the container is thoroughly sealed
- Store in a dark, dry place (a basement or closet)
- Try to keep the space cool and free of chemical cleaners
To sanitize your water, the CDC recommends using one of several methods. These include:
- Boiling the water
- Use a chlorine bleach
- Purification tablets
- Iodine
The CDC recommends boiling your water source if possible and distilling it for a day or two if possible. This will allow for the most sanitary water since it helps purge the water of most bacteria and heavy metals.
Distillation consists of boiling your water and then allowing it time to sit before moving it to the permanent storage container.
If you are in an emergency, cannot access a burner, and do not have time to distill your water, you can use a disinfectant.
The most common disinfectant of choice is bleach, which is not deadly as long as you dilute it correctly. Follow the directions on the bottle if it is available.
If you are unable to read the label or it is no longer attached to the bottle, follow these measurements for bleach of 5-9% concentration:
| Method of Measurement | 1 Quart of Water (Or, Liter) | 1 Gallon of Water | 5 Gallons of Water |
| Dropper | 2 Drops of bleach | 8 Drops of bleach | 40 drops of bleach |
| Measuring Spoons | Less than a ⅛ a teaspoon | ⅛ of a teaspoon | ½ a teaspoon of bleach |
How Long Is Tap Water Safe To Drink?
Tap water that has not been purified and is stored in a plastic container should only be kept for 6 months. After 6 months, you risk plastic contaminants or unfiltered bacteria developing in the water.
This could be harmful to your health if you drink this over an extended period of time. Emergency supplies of purified water can be stored for up to 12 months.
If you follow the CDC’s recommendations for prolonged water storage, you can keep water for up to 12 months. Although you can reuse plastic gallon jugs, we do not recommend this if you have other options.
Make sure you replace your homemade water supply every 6-12 months to ensure it is fresh and free from contaminants.
The IFAS of Florida recommends that people keep a minimum of a 3 day’s supply of water. Each person in your household should have at least 1.5 gallons of water daily. If you are alone, you should keep at least 4.5 gallons of water in your emergency supply.
Replace tap water stored in the fridge every couple of weeks if you have not followed any purification methods.
If you boil your water and wash the water container regularly, you can keep it for 6 months. However, if you simply refill a plastic bottle straight from the tap, make sure you drink it within a few weeks.
How to Store Water Long Term in the Freezer
Another excellent long-term method of storing water is keeping it in your freezer. This is one of the best options because it prevents plastics from contaminating the water. It also stops the growth of bacteria and keeps the water pure and safe for drinking.
To store tap water in your freezer, start by boiling the water for 10-15 minutes and then let it cool off. Meanwhile, find your plastic water bottles and clean them.
You can wash them with hot water and soap and then let them air dry. You can also use hot water and diluted bleach, let it sit for a few minutes and then let the bottle air dry.
Pour the water into the container and seal. The best storage bottles for this kind are old soda or sparkling water bottles. We recommend the 2-liter bottles. These are the best option because they have a twist cap which will prevent any spills or cross-contamination in the freezer.
You can store frozen water for up to 2 years this way. As an added bonus, if you lose power in an emergency, these bottles will also keep your frozen food good for longer.
What’s the Best Container To Store Water In?
The best container for water storage differs based on the storage method. For short-term water storage in the fridge, we recommend a glass container that is easy to clean. We recommend food-grade plastic bottles, drums, or other emergency containers for long-term storage.
Glass or less flimsy containers are the best for short-term fridge storage. This prevents the water from becoming contaminated with toxins from the plastic container and allows you to clean the container easily.
However, plastic is better if you are looking for long-term water storage. You can use simple plastic gallon containers, but these are not the best option. Rather, you should choose an opaque, heavy plastic drum for water storage.
The CDC recommends large, opaque water containers with the FDA approval seal. These contain fewer potential toxins and are designed to prevent cross-contamination. You can find these containers at army supply stores or camping stores.