How do you store water from tap?

[cjpsmom]

When putting water up, in say milk jugs or other type of bottles, how do ya'll store it? Where-light or nonlighted area? A/C'd area or garage? Do you add something to it to make it last and how long will it last? This is a new area to me and would really appreciate some words of wisdom from some of the wisest people I know.

[notsyourbeezwax]

I don't know about wise, but I know something about storing water!

Actually just a few comments. Milk jugs break down. Your water will end up everywhere. Do not use milk jugs. If you do not have water containers (I like the blue blocky one from Wal-Mart), use 2 liter soda bottles, or gallon juice bottles. If you have empty canning jars sitting around, store water in those. You are already using the space, why not?

I put a drop or 2 of regular, unscented chlorine bleach in my water to kill any lurking beasties. Store in as dark a location as possible, since the light can encourage bacteria growth. I prefer to keep my stored water in the house, with the same climate control as the rest of my stuff. But then I don't have good storage options outside my house anyway.

Don't forget to rotate your water. Mark it on your calendar, or whatever reminder system you use. I generally discard and replace my storage water every 6 months, but you might want to make it 3 months if you keep it outside.

HTH

[Lmnde]

If you are storing for a potential water/electric outage, put them in your freezer[s] as long as you have the space. In case of an electric outage they will help keep your food frozen longer, and you have cold water to drink or to put frzn bottles into your coolers to keep your perishables fresh longer, without drowning everything in thawing water/ice cubes.

I also use old bleach + laundry containers to keep wash/cleaning and flush water at hand, with the leftover soap residue in them, they are perfect for handwashing etc...

Going into hurricane season and expecting a potential outage, fill all of your bath tubs, buckets, storage containers and plastic containers/crates as soon as you start prepping [be sure to put it somewhere safe where it won't damage floors + carpets etc, in case of leakage or breaking]. This short term stored water [depending on where it is stored] can be filtered with a regular jug type water filter system to use for drinking afterwards if you run out of bottled water...

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I store water in my freezer myself. It helps take up extra space in my freezer which makes it more energy efficient and then if there was a power outage it would help keep my frozen food fresh longer. Plus I don't have to worry about bacteria as it cannot grow in ice.

[mum2hba]

I use juice containers, and store the water in my freezer.

[TheWoman]

Originally Posted by notsyourbeezwax Milk jugs break down. Your water will end up everywhere. Do not use milk jugs.

I think this one bears repeating. Milk jugs are okay for short term (like there is a hurricane is on its way) but don't rely on them for your "just in case" water storage.

[cjpsmom]

Thanks gals!

[oregon]

Originally Posted by TheWoman I think this one bears repeating. Milk jugs are okay for short term (like there is a hurricane is on its way) but don't rely on them for your "just in case" water storage.

This also includes the distilled water jugs you get at the grocery store. I bought a couple gallons of water for drinking to see us through a potential outage. They never got used so I kept them in the garage "just in case". The following summer I had water all over my garage floor. These jugs are made of the same stuff as milk jugs.

I now filter my water, boil it, and put it the blue water containers I pick up from Winco.

[cjpsmom]

I've been washing and reusing my Pepsi bottles (2ltrs) and adding a drop or two of bleach. I'm still planning on getting one those "water containers" but just haven't made it there yet. Thanks again to all for the tips and WARNINGS!!!!!