How Long Can You Store Water

Knowing how long you can safely store water is important information for everyone, wether that's storing tap water in a refillable bottle, storing large capacities for later or even storing bottles for your businesses water cooler.

Storage time can impact water’s taste, quality and even pose potential health risks if not monitored correctly.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about water storage and how to keep your water fresh for as long as possible.

How Long Can You Store Water Safely?

Stored water can typically last:

• Tap water can be stored safely for up to 6 months if it’s been properly treated, sealed, and stored in clean containers.
• Bottled water can last years unopened, depending on the manufacturer’s guidance. Make sure to check the bottle for a best before date.
• Filtered water should ideally be consumed within 24–48 hours, especially if kept at room temperature.

Although water itself doesn’t expire, bacteria build-up or contamination from the environment can impact water quality over time.

What Impacts Water Storage Times?

Water quality and storage time can be affected by several key factors:

1. Storage Choice

Water must always be stored in air tight bottles or containers that do not contain BPA. Containers that previously stored food, chemicals, or cleaning supplies can leak remnants into the water, even after washing.

Plastic bottles used to store drinking water are generally safe, and stainless steel containers are also better for short to medium-term water storage. Tap water stored correctly can be safe to drink up to 6 months later.

2. Hygiene

Storage containers should be cleaned and sanitised before use. Small amounts of bacteria can multiply while in storage, giving it a musty smell and taste.

3. Storage Environment

Ideally, water should be stored:

• In a cool area
• Away from sunlight
• Away from chemicals, fuel, or other odorous materials

Heat and direct sunlight can accelerate bacterial growth and cause plastics to perish faster.

4. Air Exposure

The more water is opened and exposed to air, the quicker it should be consumed. Air (oxygen) and bacteria decrease how long water can be stored.

Different Types of Water and Their Shelf Life

It also helps to look at water storage times for different water types:

Tap Water

Tap water in the UK is generally safe to store due to added disinfectants like chlorine. Treated tap water that has been sealed air tight inside sanitised storage containers can last up to 6 months.

If storing tap water for longer periods, label containers with the date they were stored and rotate out every few months.

Filtered Water

Filtered water has typically had chemicals and other substances removed. Without these extra disinfectants, bacteria can spread through filtered water faster. For best quality, filtered water should be consumed within 3-5 days if refrigerated.

Bottled Water

Commercial bottled water can typically last years without being opened. However, once bottled water is opened, treat it like tap water and drink within 24 hours.

Tips for Storing Water

Here are some tips to help you store water longer:

• Use sanitised, food-grade water bottles or containers
• Ensure water containers are tightly sealed
• Store water in a cool and dark place
• Label storage containers with dates
• Rotate your stored water

Getting regular water cooler bottle delivery is the easiest ways businesses can avoid worrying about water storage times.

Water Storage at Work

When people store water in the workplace, there’s potential for the water to taste unpleasant, unhygienic, or cause harm to people’s health. Water bottles left open, containers not cleaned properly, or water dispensers left without being serviced will impact water quality.

Well managed office water dispensers are a great alternative because they remove the risk and provide a constant supply of clean and fresh drinking water.

Conclusion

How long can you store water? That depends on the source of water, container used to store water in, and where it’s stored.

Bottled water or tap water that is sealed can last months. However, filtered water and opened water bottles should be consumed quickly.

Ensure you’re following best practices for storing water, or use managed water dispenser services to help keep your water fresh.