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How often should I refresh my drinking water storage? (sopuli.xyz)
submitted 10 months ago by to c/preppers@lemmy.ca
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Sorry if this is a noob question. I have some 5-liter plastic bottles of drinking water. I normally just drink from the tap so I haven’t used any of that in about a year.

I know they’re probably still good to go for quite a while but I’m wondering - what do you all typically do? Do you use and replace the water so the stored one doesn’t taste stale?

Also, are there any good alternatives to storing drinking water in plastic? I’m trying to reduce my usage of plastic containers for long term food and liquid storage.

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[–] 12 points 10 months ago (7 children)

Glass is probably the safest long-term container, sadly. I know it's heavy and fragile, but even stainless steel can develop algae over time; you're certainly welcome to try both and see what happens.

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  • [–] 1 point 10 months ago (6 children)

    don't glass also get algae?

    (i genuinely have no idea what I'm taking about, that's why I'm asking)

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  • [–] 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 child)

    treat the water with chlorine before storing it, probably not 100% guarantee, but better than nothing. i think the glass vs plastic is more about the microplastics getting into water and affecting the taste.

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  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago (3 children)

    I have not seen it develop anywhere near as easily, personally.

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  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago (2 children)

    damn, as a biologist I want to know why. I'd think that a metal container would block light therefore stop algae, while a glass one would let light in. and both would be the same if stored in a dark place.

    it is just counterintuitive to me

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  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago

    I feel like the issue with steel might be more mold than algae, and most people who aren't biologists just aren't thinking too hard about what sort of organism the gross slime in their water is.

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  • [–] 1 point 10 months ago

    not a biologist, but could it be it is easier to really clean the glass because it will have smoother surface than anything else, so it is problematic for any bio-residuum to hide anywhere?

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