What is the shelf life of water??

**Thevail** · 03-09-2009, 04:20 AM

Does water "go bad"? Or just start to taste wierd?
Is there a risk of a stockpiled water supply being contaminated in some way by the time you might need it?

DH and I are discussing water supply currently and wondered if it might be more efficient just fo find/buy/create a few alternatives for purifying water than to actually physically store the stuff.

NOTE: We are surrounded by lakes, rivers, streams, the ocean, and it also rains A LOT here where we live. I can see that water procurement in places with a desert climate would be a stockpiling situation.

**Spirit Deer** · 03-09-2009, 11:41 AM

You can buy water purification tablets, but they are expensive. I think there's a bleach formula you can use. I'm not sure what exactly that is, but I'm sure Google knows. Using bleach would be similar to communities chlorinating city water to eliminate harmful bacteria.

There's always boiling and filtering, too. That requires fuel though, but if you live in the woods like we do, fuel probably wouldn't be a huge issue.

There are ways to purify sea water for drinking, but the latest I've heard which may not be current or correct is that it's a complex and expensive proposition. That may be for large quantities though, not what one family would need. I think it can be distilled but it's illegal to own equipment for a still, I think. I could be wrong on that, and maybe it's a different kind of still.

I'm really not being very helpful.

**Greebo** · 03-09-2009, 11:52 AM

http://www.baproducts.com/water.htm

This link provided with no guarantee as to its accuracy. Poster assumes no responsibility for any illness or injury that may result as a result of reading this link. Not FDIC insured. Your mileage may vary.

**Spirit Deer** · 03-09-2009, 12:21 PM

Here's FEMA's advice: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/water.shtm

They say to add two drops of bleach per bottle but don't specify the size of the bottles.

**Greebo** · 03-09-2009, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by Spirit Deer

Here's FEMA's advice: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/water.shtm

They say to add two drops of bleach per bottle but don't specify the size of the bottles.

Yay, our tax dollars at work again. I can just see people putting two drops of bleach in their 20 oz recycled coke bottles.

**Spirit Deer** · 03-09-2009, 01:11 PM

I'm still ROFLMAO at duct tape and window plastic, but whatever.

At least it's a start for places to look for info.

About using pop bottles for storage, IMO not a good idea due to all the warnings about carcinogens leaching out of the plastic.

Nothing's safe to use, consume, or do anymore. I still remember when ignorance was bliss...

**Thevail** · 03-09-2009, 03:35 PM

I think we'll store water for general use, and get a katadyne water filtration with extra filters.

**thefrug** · 03-09-2009, 04:13 PM

have a link to that filter there vail?

**NewLeaf** · 03-09-2009, 04:21 PM

Try Drum-Runners.com
Good info, but if I look on there too often I tend to get paranoid.

**ArmyOfFive4God** · 03-09-2009, 04:30 PM

I change water out every 6mos. I use the water I empty for plants, the washer, etc. IIRC it's 15 drops of bleach per gallon, 30 if the water is dirty or cloudy. Let sit for 15 mins.

**fixer** · 03-10-2009, 12:25 AM

Water tends to get "flat". If you pour it from one container to another one repeatedly, it will taste better. My water supply needs to be rotated. Thanks for the reminder.

**Thevail** · 03-10-2009, 02:23 AM

Sure Frug..different sites may have the best price at any given time due to sales. I know REI usually always has it too.

http://www.waterfilters.net/Katadyn-...p_0-29104.html