How long can you store bottled water?

[zanne]

I know it sounds like a strange question, but right after 9/11, I bought a case of bottled water to keep in the cellar. What if I kept it for 20 years? Would the water still be "good"?

[billyskank]

1. That water is probably millions of years old already

I dare say it'd be ok. Millions of people in the world drink far worse.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. Well, the plastic will be leeching into it and that's really unhealthy.

However, the bottle of water I have handy (purchased this week) has an expiration on it of 8/29/08. So I don't think the bottled water would be good for 20 years, in fact it probably tastes totally like plastic now.

[zanne]

4. I never noticed the expiration dates.

I guess it could be that the plastic affects it somehow. Then again it could be that they want us to throw those bottles away so they can sell more water?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

5. The plastic leeches some chemical that acts like hormones in our bodies.

It's considered carcinogenic. And that has definitely not been reported by the plastic bottle industry.

Personally, I wouldn't drink it, but it's up to you.

[zanne]

6. Thanks for the info, haruka. nt

[Tyler Durden]

8. You are referring to "Orthophthalates"

These nasties are added to PVC, a nasty on its own, to make it more flexible. It's a common additive to toys made of PVC.

PET or Polyethylene tetraphthalate is stable and does not release Orthophtalates, the carcinogen.

PET DOES use Antimony Oxide in parts per billion as a catylyst. This is released very slowly in items like sodas and beer, but not in water as it is not miscible (does not go into water solution).

Not that ANY of this shit is 100% SAFE but if if your water bottles are PET or PETE, then I wouldn't worry.

As to expiration, that is mainly due to seal degradation, so if you store your massive water stash in a cool, dark place (like I do) then you have little to worry about. Don't freeze it, though, like by storing it in your garage in Northern climates: that will hasten the destruction of the seals.

Hope this helps. I seldom get to put my plastics knowledge to a REAL use.

[zanne]

10. Thank you for your plastics knowledge.

I didn't know we had an expert on board. Good deal.

[Tyler Durden]

12. Pshaw.

No cover charge.

[JVS]

3. drink some now and see if it is good or not

[In_The_Wind]

7. Water stored in clear plastic seems to last longer than opaque plastic.

Heat will also have an effect on the length of storage time.

[Crazy Dave]

9. Even though I bought a case this July....

...and replaced it in my emergency supply with a new case, I noticed the bottled date for the water I bought in July (Deer Park) was Sep. 2004. I'm drinking some of it right now, no bad taste, no funny color, seems fine for two year old water.

[lectrobyte]

11. From what I can see of the store bought stuff, it has a 2 year shelf

life. In an emergency, though, I'd not be too concerned with drinking it past the expiration date, assuming no obvious bacterial growth. Seriously, water is really cheap, and really necessary, so why not use it to water plants and replace it with some new water? You can bottle your own really cheaply, too, two drops of bleach per gallon as a preservative.