Good 1 or 2 Gallon Water Storage?

[SpeedRacer]

What's a good 1 or 2 gallon, water-tight and rugged container? I like to keep a gallon of water in the trunk for emergency/general use. A sealed gallon jug seems like an obvious solution, but I've had two bust on me. Bless those GM engineers that designed a drain hole in the trunk.

 

[themcfarland]

milk jugs now days are made to biodegrade faster.. even some 2 liters breakdown..

For example, we had some left at the camp for 2 years.. when I went to move them, they actually broke into hundreds of little pieces like china..

I suggest a camelbak or something that you can throw around your back and use if you have to walk any distance..

 

[oleheat]

If you can live with something a little larger, these military issue 20L water jugs are ruggged as hell....Hard to wear out, and mine have never leaked after years of use....

EDIT: Overkill, I know....But I'd venture to say they're even coon-proof, if that makes any difference.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Regardless, I think you'll need to change out the water frequently.

 

[SpeedRacer]

milk jugs now days are made to biodegrade faster.. even some 2 liters breakdown..

For example, we had some left at the camp for 2 years.. when I went to move them, they actually broke into hundreds of little pieces like china..

I suggest a camelbak or something that you can throw around your back and use if you have to walk any distance..

I have a couple Camelbaks at the house, and do keep a couple 20oz bottles of drinking water in my trunk bag. The larger containers are more general use...wound care, car overheating, etc etc so a Camelbak isn't really ideal for that. But would like it to still be drinkable if necessary. I guess what I'm looking for is something along the lines of the 5 gallon surplus fuel cans, but smaller.

 

[Nomad.2nd]

I throw a pair of 2 liter bottles in there.

Never had issues.

 

[SpeedRacer]

I throw a pair of 2 liter bottles in there.

It's so...simple...

 

[OneStory]

For example, we had some left at the camp for 2 years.. when I went to move them, they actually broke into hundreds of little pieces like china..

Guess where all that cancerous plasticizer that used to keep the container soft went?

 

[sksshooter]

We keep a jug of water on the tractor with us and my dad also keeps a jug in his truck since his truck seems to lose water every few months. We have found either the antifreeze jugs or the jugs that juice comes in like welchs grape juice last the longest. On the tractor they still eventually get a stick through them or run over but otherwise they don't leak or just degrade.

 

[homeslice]

If you like the 2 liter bottle ideas, you should check out the 3 liter bottles at dollar tree. They come with soda obviously, but I've found the plastic to be thicker and cap more resilient than normal bottles.

 

[jimdana1942]

Just how long can you keep water in any container and how long before it tastes like plastic, or aluminum?

 

[03protege]

Would a little bleach help keep the water fresh?

 

[SpeedRacer]

Just how long can you keep water in any container and how long before it tastes like plastic, or aluminum?

Would a little bleach help keep the water fresh?

My next questions. What's the water equivalent of Stabil for gasoline?

Nomad you said lemon juice, what's the science behind this?

 

[SpeedRacer]

_I_ said lemon juice. Old Indian trick...

I have no idea what "the science" is. However, I have been doing it for 30+ years. It will keep water reasonably fresh for six months or so; after that, no guarantees.

.

Derp! I knew you did. No clue why I said Nomad.

Gotcha, thanks.

 

[Tate]

In general I'd replace water stores every 6 months. Adding bleach to water will kill any bacteria (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons, or about 10 drops per gallon)but it will also give it a less than pleasant taste (that taste beats the alternatives if the water is dirty). If you leave the bleach in the water for 30 minutes (it needs time to act) you can add some vitamin C to the water to remove the bleach and make the water taste better. For your purposes I'd just replace any unused water every 6 months and forgo the chemical treatment.

 

[themcfarland]

Liquid bleach over time loses its potency as well, Pool shock is the best shelf stable idea.. make as little or as much liquid bleach as you need with the highest percentage of Sodium hypochlorite only , not the NaOCl mixed with fungicide..

http://survivalistwiki.com/index.php?title=Chlorine
heres some publications from the RedCross on the subject..
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site...toid=b60461150e8ae110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD


Good Idea on the juice bottles..
lemon juice does work, but really, any acid would would.. if its was edible.

 

[Renegade]

6-Gallon water jug at Wally-world

 

[jimdana1942]

Guess I'll just catch rainwater and drink it. Of course, if I'm in the Southwest I'll drink cactus water, or melt some snow if it's winter.
Or maybe get a camel for a pet, but how do you get the water outa the humps? Do you "milk" it out?

 

[Renegade]

Or maybe get a camel for a pet, but how do you get the water outa the humps? Do you "milk" it out?

Yes, they generally have one big udder underneath... just keep working it!

 

[madmax4x4]

nuff said