About how long does water stay fresh

The local county extension agency doesn't directly answer that question.

http://extension.usu.edu/publica/foodpub2.htm

But, the issue surely depends on the storage conditions. What temperatures the stored water attains and so on. The source water enters into it some too. As the plastic is slightly "porous" to fumes and such, 6 months is my standard for my area for my 6 gallon plastic "cans".

Phil
 
Water only comes to chemical equillibrium with its container. The water obtained from well has often been in the ground hundreds or sometimes thousands of years. It acquires dissolved minerals in this time, which make it taste a certain way.

When water is stored in plastic containers, the only thing that can really happen to it is transfer of chemicals into or out of the water. HDPE (high density polyethylene) is one of the best (most inert) for this porpose.

Still, if you have water stored in a garage for a number of years, that water will eventually acquire the taste of petroleum, etc. that was also in the garage. Vapors can seep through the plastic given enough time.

Basically, don't worry about it. The exact taste of water in long term storage is fairly unpredictable (some of the minerals that make it taste good might settle or plate out, leaving stale tasting water). Just keep some bleach or other disinfectant on hand to make sure any opened water stays safe to drink.

Scott
 
Depending on the day there are from 5 to 8 people living in my house. I keep 60+ gallons of water in simple one gallon jugs as purchased from the local supermarket. I rotate this storage so that no bottle stays stored for more than a year, sometimes a few go 13 or 14 months. Once "in circulation" I use them to refil for daily drinking supply. These eventually go sour (after 10 refills or so on average), and get recycled, while I bring new (year old) jugs into circulation.

I've been using this system for 10+ years now. I've never had a problem with the stored jugs - remember they remain unopened until they are put into circulation. Tempretures in their storage area range from the 40's to 80's (farenhite) depending on the season.
 
Ya know, that's a good idea. I regularly buy drinking water and can easily start a rotation process as you did. Thanks for the idea!
 
Just date the bottles with a permanent marker (month and year seems to be enough) when you buy them. That way you'll know how old they are and which ones to take out of storage next...
 
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