How long would bottled water keep in a shed ?

[WillieBee]

I got an allotment earlier this year and have finally got my new shed.

Obviously I'll not be going there very often at this time of year, but when i do, I'll probably fancy a cuppa .. having spent at least two weeks looking for my old camping kettle in the house (found yesterday)

I was thinking of just buying a few 2L bottles of water and leaving them in the shed, or maybe getting one of the camping style water bottles with the small tap at the base.

My question is ...How long will the water last .. would it be Ok to leave for a few weeks

Don't want to be poisoned in my new shed

[Bren In Pots]

Found this article about storing bottled water hope it helps.

https://www.buxtonwater.co.uk/faqs/storage-information

[AntC]

As long as the bottle is stored in darkness, either a cupboard or by using a black container, it will last indefinitely. I find it's generally sunlight that causes problems with algae formation, but I don't think it would ever make it poisonous. Personally, I use fresh water from the allotment drinking water tap each time for a brew up.

[bikermike]

Bottled water has a sell-by date on it, that will be based on some pretty tough conditions, which is usually a couple of years, when sealed.

Also, if you boil it, then you will be pretty safe from most organic disease causes.

The general rule for domestic systems is to turn it every 48 hrs or so as it's open (but there is a lot of safety margin in that).

How often are you down at the plot and much water do you think you'll drink?

I'd buy a reusable bottle and take it down each time you go (this is what I do, but then I am 5 mins walk from the plot, so can top up each morning and afternoon visit).

If you are further away, I'd probably get 2l bottles, keep them in the darkest part of the shed, and avoid keeping an opened bottle for more than a week (or just use it for tea).

If you kept a vat of water at site, you'd need to treat it as unsterilized.

Possibly some kit of this sort might be an option
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topic...g-water-filter

TBH, with modern flasks etc, I found it was better simply to make a flask up before going.

[WillieBee]

Found this article about storing bottled water hope it helps.
https://www.buxtonwater.co.uk/faqs/storage-information

Many thanks, I'll have a read now.

Personally, I use fresh water from the allotment drinking water tap each time for a brew up.

Yes, I suppose I can do that too. Obviously not now, but in the growing season the nearest tap is quite often connected to somebody's hosepipe. Sometimes the tap is dirty, having been opened / closed by somebody with dirty hands

I'd buy a reusable bottle and take it down each time you go (this is what I do, but then I am 5 mins walk from the plot, so can top up each morning and afternoon visit).

If you are further away, I'd probably get 2l bottles, keep them in the darkest part of the shed, and avoid keeping an opened bottle for more than a week (or just use it for tea).

About 10 minutes walk, but I usually go on the bike ...4 minutes if I'm feeling fit, or 8 mins if cold / tired. The car takes longer, as the walking / cycling route has shortcuts .. the road doesn't


THANK YOU FOR ALL THE REPLIES

[Can the Man]

I can’t add anything that hasn’t already been said, store in dark place, even throw an old jacket or jumper over the bottles, use up any opened within the week.
Just think about using a reusable bottle rather than those plastic bottles that are not good for the environment

[SarrissUK]

I use water out of the tap on the allotment that is for watering - it's watering me too, both for cold drinking water as well as for tea. But to be honest, most of the time I bring a flask

[Workslave]

Water does not go bad, just like sugar or salt, unless a contaminate gets into it which a sealed bottle should not allow.
it does get a bad taste as all the dissolved oxygen escapes during storage.
You can shake it and leave it to get air for a bit before use, to improve flavour.
I have safely drunk water from the boot of a car that was open over a year before, just taste is nasty but if its all you have its great.
all water is over 11million years old after all...

Sincerely
Steve

[Logunner]

Water does not go bad, just like sugar or salt, unless a contaminate gets into it which a sealed bottle should not allow.
it does get a bad taste as all the dissolved oxygen escapes during storage.
You can shake it and leave it to get air for a bit before use, to improve flavour.
I have safely drunk water from the boot of a car that was open over a year before, just taste is nasty but if its all you have its great.
all water is over 11million years old after all...

Sincerely
Steve

The only thing I’d add to this is... don’t drink direct from the bottle if you intend leaving any water in it for more than a couple of days. Water is cheap so no point in adding risk.

[nickdub]

frost is a factor to bare in mind

[muck lover]

If you’re boiling it I think it’s safe.

[Gordon the gardener]

Flask or two

[Plot70]

We have a mains tap water stand pipe at our allotments.
That is obviously safe in summer when it is on.