Is plastic acceptable for water storage?

By Tim Gamble

All my links: https://linktr.ee/timgamble 

Q.  Are Plastic Bottles and Containers Safe for Water Storage?

A.  Plastic can leach into water over the long-term, but not all plastic leaches equally. Stick to food grade and BPA-free plastics for your long-term storage. Remember this: You will die of dehydration (in days) long before you'll die from plastic toxicity (after years of consumption, if ever). In a true long-term emergency situation, plastic water containers will be the very least of your problems.

Five Containers to NOT Use for Water Storage

1. Milk Jugs - not designed for long-term storage and will eventually leak; difficult to completely wash out the fats & proteins from the milk which may promote bacterial growth.
2. Crystal Glass and Antique Glass Containers - the glass may contain lead.
3. Bleach Bottles - bleach bottles are treated with a chemical agent that may leach into water over time. 
4. Containers that previously held toxic substances - impossible to clean thoroughly enough to be made safe.
5. Ozark Trail 6-gal water jugs - I've written about this before, but the giant X stamped into the sides is a major design flaw that will eventually spring leaks 100% of the time. My experience is with multiple Ozark Trail water jugs bought at different times - ALL eventually leaked along the X.

Containers to Use for Water Storage

• Water Tanks designed for the purpose of water storage - many types and sizes available on Amazon.
• Water Containers designed for water storage - I use AquaTainers, and have never had one leak (they are also BPA-free). 
• Food Grade plastic and glass bottles -  used bottles with tight-fitting screw-on tops that once contained water, juice, soda, or wine can be cleaned and repurposed for water storage; I use 1-gallon table wine bottles. Keep see-trough bottles in a dark room or closet, or otherwise covered to protect from light, to prevent growth of bacteria, algae, or mold.

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