Shelf life of water?

Mongrel · Jul 2, 2002

Hello All,

I am wondering if anyone knows off the top of their head (or could point me in the right direction...)what the shelf life of water in sealed containers would be?

I have (5) 5gal. Poland Spring water-cooler bottles that have never been opened and are covered up so no light has gotten to them in my basement. Not that I need to, but if I had to, could I drink from them?

Curious whether they would need to be boiled or treated first...

thanks in advance-

Mongrel

matthew rapaport · Jul 2, 2002

I routinely use sealed containers of the 1 gal variety purchased up to a year or a little more ago without problem. I believe the standard recommendation is to recycle (i.e., use) the water after about a year, but they could probably go longer. About the longest I've let mine go is maybe 15 months, and they've been ok...

Mike Mlodzik · Jul 3, 2002

If the water was fine when you put it up, it will stay the same way.
Containers may break down, but the water isn't a problem.
Actually, I knew of some covered resevoirs that hadn't been cycled for decades ... the water was fine when tested.
When putting up water there is a chance of a momentary bloom in algae and others assorted 'critters', but if you water is stored in a dark location without introduction of further gases and extras ... it will get better with storage.
Taste may become 'stale' ... but the water is fine.

Mike

martin j · Jul 3, 2002

Originally posted by Mike Mlodzik
Taste may become 'stale' ... but the water is fine.

To clear away "stale" taste you can "airate" (sp ?) the water by swishing it back and forth between two containers. Or you can stir it briskly for one minute or so, either way this introduces fresh oxygen to the water again-
Martin

NorthStarXO · Jul 3, 2002

Also, those Poland Water bottles were factory sealed if I'm correct and those heavy-duty bottles last way longer than the standard milk jub type bottle.

You shouldn't reuse milk jugs because the plastic is made to break down and be recycled and they start to deteriorate after about 12 months. Also make sure you store them in a cool, dark place OFF the floor as they'll pick up tastes from the area they're in like garages, etc. Remember, plastic breathes.

thatmguy · Jul 4, 2002

I know the normal gallon jugs of water have a 2-year "freshness" marking. I still have some jugs from 1999, and they are fine.

Contact the manufacturer. They should be able to provide "safe" versus "fresh" timeframes.

Mongrel · Jul 4, 2002

for your informative and comforting replies...

These bottles are the factory sealed type for electric 'water-coolers'.

Good to know I'm sitting on 25gal of potable water

I am on a well-pump and power shortages\blackouts do occur at times.

Thanks again for answering my post...

Mongrel

NILS · Jul 4, 2002

Why not just destillate/ purify / use chemical treatment etc, on the water you`ve stored as you need it?

One a side note, well made canned goods has a very long shelf life. Many types of canned food available from ordinary stores, has an expiry date more than ten years away from the date of manufacture.

Nils

SStrauss · Jul 5, 2002

My only word of advice is that if you are going to trust it you should bottle it yourself. And before you ask I do not know how to do that.

frank k · Jul 5, 2002

look for a exp. date on the bottles and/or call Poland Spring to find out how to tell.
Bottled water should last something like 2-3 years (maybe more) just like soda pop, if the bottles are sealed, kept out of the light, and the bottles are made of the hard soda bottle type plasic (as opossed to the soft milk jug type).
If I "had to", I would drink out of date bottled water (boiled or purified if possible), then water filtered from a mud puddle, or any other potentialy contaminated source.