5 Gallon water jugs long term?
Posted by MaLTC@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 32 comments
I’m considering adding a shelving unit to my basement that can hold 12 of those 5 gallon jugs that will be purchased filled and sealed.
I don’t have a water cooler or need one so rotating product is not an option.
I’d like to store these in the basement on the long term (several years).
My thoughts were: I own several lifestraw water filters which could filter out any microplastics should I need to use this water in a SHTF scenario- if even needed.
Basically- Looking for a “set it and forget it” water source I can store in the basement on the long term.
Any thoughts?
rhoninoaks@reddit
I worked for a water treatment company that sold and delivered these bottles. Some things I can tell you is, if not stored in direct sunlight. They have a shelf life of about 4 years if it is RO water. Spring water doesn't last as long, and it's not the water it's the bottle that goes bad. A lot of the big 5 gal bottles have BPA and a lot of other stuff in the plastic that makes them contaminate the water and will give it a bad taste over time.
If you find BPA free bottles which do exist, id say storing RO water for 10 years probably wouldn't be an issue.
EatShitBish@reddit
Unfortunately anything that's BPA free is using chemicals that are just as bad, if not worse. They just aren't banned yet. This is information from a scientist
Pastry_Gnome@reddit
If you aren't the scientist, your trust me bro doesn't apply, lol.
EatShitBish@reddit
Usually people are capable of doing their own research if it's that important to them.
Pastry_Gnome@reddit
The claiming shit without sources should be important to everyone. Sadly, it is not.
rhoninoaks@reddit
Well scientists should know that glass 5 gallon bottles exist which contain no chemicals and are completely inert. So I don't understand the point of your comment as it's not accurate.
dhoepp@reddit
5-6 gallon glass jugs exist for brewing beer. Referred to as carboys.
Water will go bad after a year or two? It’s not delicious but keeping your water at a 5% alcohol or higher preserves it. That’s how sailors would keep water on ships for long voyages in the maritime days.
JustinCompton79@reddit
Aluminum cans of water have a decent shelf life.
Rough-Silver-8014@reddit
Buy better quality jugs yourself and add the water yourself.
MaLTC@reddit (OP)
Then just filter treat if needed?
Rough-Silver-8014@reddit
Yeah thats what I would. If you use the bottles above plastic tends to break into the water sometime down the road unless you get better quality bpa free containers.
rb109544@reddit
I'd go for 1 gallon jugs...a bit cheaper than bottles...easier to transport plus a little more sanitary...easy to refill and toss into a backpack. Now if you had the cold water and hot water dispenser plus not losing power then keep a couple for that.
BecauseImBatmom@reddit
I’ve had gallon jugs split at the bottom seam after a few years. They had a slow leak, and when I picked them up they split completely along the seam. They were stored in a dark place at room temp.
AdditionalAd9794@reddit
I have a purpose built rack that holds 10, 2 wide 5 tall, I think it was like 50 bucks when we bought it.
Our well was contaminated by a gas station in the 70s, a recent test came back clean but we don't trust it and are used to bottled water after all these years. We get delivery from Alhambra bi weekly. Between two of us and two dogs, we go through 5-6 of those 5 gallon bottles every two weeks, just cooking and drinking, not counting showers and irrigation.
Just something to consider, that entire rack of 10 with our water consumption would last shy of a month without rationing. Less if we were forced to use that water for hygiene
MaLTC@reddit (OP)
I appreciate the info. I live in a populated area so a couple of weeks worth of water should suffice. I’ll try and calculate my daily usage within the coming days to get a rough estimate what to expect would be needed, but with rationing I believe 6-8 ( gallon jugs ) would be a reasonable backstock, and absolutely beats having next to nothing which is my current situation. (I do own a aqua bob for the tub at least.
AdditionalAd9794@reddit
Also not a necessity, but I would suggest rotating your water like you would any other pantry item. Buy a rack of ten like mine, or even bigger. Use it sparingly, you don't have to use it all the time like me. Get a nice water dispenser, they are super convenient, they have waterlogic ones that do hot, cold and sparkling.
Also maybe consider what type of water you are going to store, some retail brand like alhambra or arrowhead, tap water, rain water, pond water, purified, distilled, mineral, etc.
MaLTC@reddit (OP)
Thanks. Would purified have the longest shelf life?
nevergiveup2018@reddit
I have like 10 of those, and plan on adding a lot more. :)
I've had them for a year at least, and it looks fine.
Aust_Norm@reddit
If you know any electricians or have data centres nearby or places that have big UPS centres have a look out for empty distilled water containers as they are often thrown out. I have picked up 15 or 20 x 20L (5 gallon drums) for free.
You can also get taps for them that can be stored in the cap and moved to the bung when needed.
The drums stack well, have only ever had distilled water in them, and are heavy in construction.
newarkdanny@reddit
I have that setup, well almost, I have several 7 gallon aquatainer containers and 1 of these you linked. In a basement on steel shelf. These jugs have two out of the box disadvantages. 1 - No handle, when filled there heavy, not impossible for most adults but still heavy and oddly shaped to carry up from the basement 2 - getting the water out is weird since usually you put them in dispenser and dispense, without a dispenser you would lay it on its side pour your water out, again the weight comes into play here as tipping it over even a bit causes a ton of water to come out. The solution is either get a manual pump or one of the battery operated pumps. I have both, the battery powered one is the way to go. Overall though if I'm being honest a container with a built in handle and spout is much more superior. As far as saving water in there it's fine, rinse it out prior add some water purification drops (optional) and put them away. Ideally you would rotate the out once a year but I have gone 1 to 5 years (with and without drops) and you couldn't tell the difference.
MaLTC@reddit (OP)
Appreciate the insight. I’ll get a dispensor or two, transfer into another jug- then treat/filter as needed.
Mamabearscircus@reddit
We use 5 gal from a local water company and I find the caps leak a bit if stored on their side. They sell manual pumps for them, we use one camping, and we use a usb charge pump at home instead of a water cooler
MaLTC@reddit (OP)
I will for sure monitor that situation or design the shelves (I’ll build myself) to have an incline so the cap rests higher than the base.
throwmethewaytogo@reddit
I’ve looked at these, and they tend to be between $5 and $7 per 5-gal jug. Conversely I can get a 40 pack or 0.5-L bottles (slightly over 5-gal) from Sam’s club for under $4. I see all kinds of various water storage options on here: from the water cooler jugs to Aqua Blocks to Augason farms 55-gal barrels, and none of them come close to matching the cost efficiency of simple bottled water. I understand the cubes and drums can be cleaned and refilled if/when the water goes “bad” but for their price, I’d have to refill them several times to match the <$1/gal bottled water. What am I missing here? Why aren’t they the go-to?
MaLTC@reddit (OP)
I just want to store a large quantity of water and not worry about it. I have no objection to individually bottled water like the 40 pack of 16.9 oz bottles from costco.
throwmethewaytogo@reddit
I hear ya. It just seems like bottled water gets a lot of flak on here for the supposed “toxins.”
Ryan_e3p@reddit
I wouldn't worry so much about "toxins" as I would be that the plastic walls on disposable bottles are stupid thin. Also, having containers with larger mouths on them makes it easier to refill and reuse.
MaLTC@reddit (OP)
This is very true. I’ll stick to the larger 5gal containers as initially planned.
DadBod_NoKids@reddit
I've noticed the same thing regarding better per oz. prices with individual bottles, but i can't get on board with all the plastic waste that comes along with individual bottles. I still keep a couple cases of costco waters on hand, but my 5 gallon jugs get used the most
Mr_Mouthbreather@reddit
I have about 80 gallons stored this way for a few years now with no issues.
MaLTC@reddit (OP)
Thanks- I was planning to buy them factory sealed/filled. I feel like IF needed in a few years etc a filter would do the trick..
Head-Thought-5679@reddit
I have the rack and purchased a water cooler with hot/cold water it’s pretty handy