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I have a 55-gallon plastic container that I'll be filling with water.

What's the best way to preserve this water? We won't be consuming the water stored in this container.

Thanks.

rbhat
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    Inevitably the question of why is relevant. it is good that you are not going to consume it, but also, what environments is it going to be subjected to? Ultimately, (or at least technically speaking) you can't preserve it indefinitely, or at least, not without extreme care and cost. What length of time does it need to be preserved for? – noybman Sep 05 '17 at 00:10
  • Pure water won't spoil and will be as good in 10 years as it bus today. What does spoil is impurities in the water. Do how long it keeps depends on how pure it is and what it's stored in. – Tyson Sep 05 '17 at 03:45
  • Add chlorine to it to prevent algae growth. – Ken Sep 06 '17 at 08:45

3 Answers3

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If you are not going to be consuming it, then you just need to keep algae from growing in it.

Make sure the container is full to the top to eliminate air from the algae. Then store it in a dark place to prevent sunshine from feeding the algae.

The other problems to consider might be contaminants in the container to start with and leeching of anything from the plastic into the water.

Good luck!

ArchonOSX
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About 3 cups of bleach per 55gal. This is based on the drinking water preservation at a teaspoon to a tablespoon per gal.

General consensus is one year shelf life.

NPM
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  • agreed however, obviously NOTE gallon cleaned (remove oils etc), and bleached out first, before adding water. Then store at Room temperature, & capped. Room temperature should ideally not change, nor should the elevation the container is stored at. – noybman Sep 05 '17 at 00:42
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If you are looking for potable water in preparation for a storm, like Harvey was, then I highly recommend a WaterBob. It is a one-time use item, but holds a bathtub full of water in a safe, non-contaminatable container and has a hand pump to dispense water.

As for keeping water shelf stable, the bleach is a good idea depending on the container. Some plastics degrade with bleach.

There are water stabilization and purification tablets available online and at your local outdoor sporting shops that work pretty well with stackable water blocks or long-term water preservation (prepper-style) BPA free barrels that use bung holes or hand pumps. They work great.

I would suggest that you go ahead and invest in a locking roller base to put the barrel on before you fill it to make moving it easier. But that's me.

Donna Mixon
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