Storing water in garage?

[Oxygen Mask]

Leaching: BPAs, thalates, etc are why the water "tastes" like plastic after a while, and they are known to increase cancer risk. Now we have microplastics to worry about too.

Distilled: Lots of independent testing has shown that much if not most"distilled" water isn't very pure at all, and single serve drinking water is often even worse...

Years ago my boss lived up the mountain and the water came from an artesian well, the clearest and sweetest water I ever tasted. Bosses wife decided to save money by refilling the water cooler jugs with the well water. Within days there was algae growing in the bottles!

I keep my water supply in glass bottles, mostly 5.5 to 6.5 ABV.... Replenish stock regularly.

 

[Kudaor1990]

If you must use plastic, BPA free, storage cool/dry/dark, rotate every 6 months. I just trade up/out at homedepot to save on deposit and time/water.

 

[Lilhigbee]

We keep four of the blue BiMart 7.5 gallon cubes full in the garage. Every year or so I dump them in the garden and refill, adding a teaspoon or so of bleach. If we get to the point where we NEED that water plastic leaching is going to be the least of my concerns!!

 

[gmerkt]

In a true emergency the leaching would be the least of my concerns.

Yes, in the absence of alternatives, you'd be glad to have it.

Leaching: BPAs, thalates, etc are why the water "tastes" like plastic after a while, and they are known to increase cancer risk.

The older you get, the less you need to worry about this. You're a lot more likely to die of something else.

So you might conclude, the water's aging, you're aging, no problem.

 

[Retired Guy]

I have some GI water jugs stored. Sometimes I remember to cycle it...sometimes I don't. My plan is to run it through my water filter anyway.

I won't do the small plastic water jugs. When the Nisqually earthquake hit in 2001, things shifted in my storage area and ALL the stored jugs were crushed. Popped like a water balloon! I know the GI jugs can take a lot of abuse.

 

[Siglvr]

Buy a 200 gallon water box. You can get them cheaply off of craigslist or Meta classifieds. Stick it under your gutter downspout. I did the 50 gallon water barrels under 2 downspouts. Water gets replentished fast around here rom rainwater. Keep your hiking filters handy and you're good to go even if your bleach has aged out. I also have a couple of 5 gallon carboys in the basement. Hard to remember to replentish them though. I'd rather drink some plastic water than die of thirst. But that's me.

They make something called an Aquabob or Aquapod, an "Emergency Bathtub Water Storage Bladder 65-100 Gallon Capacity". The idea being you will toss the empty bag in a bathtug and fill it up before an emergency. Between that, the downspout storage, and your water heater, you should be good for a while. https://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Ca...for+bathtub+water+storage,aps,264&sr=8-3&th=1

Most folks don't know that when the electricity turns off, any water in those big green storage tanks will be gone soon. It's going to be a race for that water. Storing some for drinking in a true SHTF so that idiots don't waste it all in toilet flushes will be a good thing.

 

[salmon creek gary]

I read all the posts in this thread and noted all advice, cautions, and concerns, as well as the disparity of responses. That made me wonder if AI could provide a concise response to the question of water safety when stored long-term for emergency use. So, I asked Google AI the following question, framing it in terms of my own storage solution:

How long can storebought water (like crystal geyser 2.5 gal jugs) remain safe for drinking if stored in an unheated garage (seasonal range of 40-85 degrees F) as an emergency water supply?

FWIW, the AI response was as follows:

"Store-bought 2.5-gallon water jugs (like Crystal Geyser) stored in an unheated garage with fluctuating temperature (40-85°F) are best consumed or replaced every1 to 2 years for optimal taste and safety. While water does not technically expire, the plastic jugs can begin to leach chemicals or taste stale over time, particularly with heat cycles.
Key Considerations for Long-Term Storage:

• Temperature & Light: The 85°F high in your garage is a risk factor, as heat speeds up plastic degradation. Keep containers off the floor, away from direct sunlight, and far from chemicals like gasoline or paint thinner.
• Safety Limits: Though they may last up to 5 years under ideal, cool conditions, 1-2 years is a safer rotation cycle for a hot garage.
• Best-By Date: Check the manufacturer's date, which generally provides a solid 1-2 year window for high-quality, safe consumption.
• Inspection: Periodically check for leaks, bulging plastic, or algae growth. If the water smells or tastes like plastic, it is still generally safe, though unpleasant, to drink."

 

[Alpinej]

how long can I store new 1 gallon water bottles in a garage?
I am wanting to move some of my water into my unheated garage near the garage door.

My garage door is insulated so some slight protection but it's not temp controlled.
I have about 20 1 gallon bottles of crystal Geiger, Costco 1 gallon water bottles. New and sealed.

Is it good to go in the garage?

Thanks

+ following

 

[ScumBeach]

As long as you add something to kill yes. All tap water has some bacteria in it. If you put something in to kill that you are good to go for a long time. As mentioned taste may seem "off" but would not hurt you in a pinch. On our RV fresh water storage I use the tablets since we are not going to drink it. If we had too in an emergency would just use a Life Straw to cut the taste.

You dont need bleach. Long term undisturbed storage is actually a method of water purification, bacteria only live a few days. As long as you filter out any cysts like giardia or cryptosporidium, which are resistant to Cl.

 

[hongkong2]

I've been playing with the idea of injecting bleach into Costco 1 gal jugs using a syringe and sealing the hole for longer storage time.

 

[ScumBeach]

I've been playing with the idea of injecting bleach into Costco 1 gal jugs using a syringe and sealing the hole for longer storage time.

Don't do it, Its useless, and you risk going over the MCL of 4mg/l. Jugged sealed water is already filtered.

 

[Camelfilter]

I've been playing with the idea of injecting bleach into Costco 1 gal jugs using a syringe and sealing the hole for longer storage time.

Don't see any point to doing so. Myself. Just leave them be just as they are. For years.

If you do have concerns about contamination, ad a bit of bleach just before consumption. As in the day before or so.

If an extended use is forecast, say "boil water" warning, or water outage. Then treat "a bunch" for an assumed consumption. If concerned about contamination...

-Completely different than refilling them from tap water, & long term storage. Then yah, ad bleach...

 

[Koda]

As long as you add something to kill yes. All tap water has some bacteria in it.

I thought that tap water had some super small amount of chlorine to purify it. Ive heard if you fill a [clean] container to the rim with tap water and seal it, it will store for a very long time like store bought water.

 

[Camelfilter]

I thought that tap water had some super small amount of chlorine to purify it. Ive heard if you fill a [clean] container to the rim with tap water and seal it, it will store for a very long time like store bought water.

Might. Might not. Too many variables. Best to err on the side of caution.

 

[Koda]

Might. Might not. Too many variables. Best to err on the side of caution.

I guess I should clarify "city" tap water, I dont see how any public water source could get away with supplying untreated water for bacteria etc.

 

[Camelfilter]

I guess I should clarify "city" tap water, I dont see how any public water source could get away with supplying untreated water for bacteria etc.

Just too many variables. Municipal tap water is fine. For consumption.

May or may not be for storage. Again, too many variables. Variables being where the consumer is along the distribution path. Still fine for consumption.

"Perhaps" not for storage though. Also means "could be" perfectly fine for storage too.

 

[Koda]

Just too many variables. Municipal tap water is fine. For consumption.

May or may not be for storage. Again, too many variables. Variables being where the consumer is along the distribution path. Still fine for consumption.

"Perhaps" not for storage though. Also means "could be" perfectly fine for storage too.

Ah, very good point. Got it now.

Seems like the biggest variable would be the bottling it part at home, just filling the container exposes it but it might depend one how "clean" one person thinks they are.

 

[Alexx1401]

I thought that tap water had some super small amount of chlorine to purify it. Ive heard if you fill a [clean] container to the rim with tap water and seal it, it will store for a very long time like store bought water.

Municipal water systems use disinfectant to bring the water up to Fed "safety" standards. This does NOT mean there is nothing in the water. Just that they have killed enough of the stuff to be considered safe to consume. Let that water sit for a long time and you will taste and smell the difference. Would it make you sick? Probably not but, you would taste and smell that it was "off".

 

[ScumBeach]

I thought that tap water had some super small amount of chlorine to purify it. Ive heard if you fill a [clean] container to the rim with tap water and seal it, it will store for a very long time like store bought water.

I am studying to take the op1 distribution and treatment certs right now so... yes there is a Cl residual in tap water, up to the MCL of 4mg/l.

 

[ScumBeach]

Oh boy, lots of wrong information here...