How to Clean, Prepare and Fill a Water Container

Storing water doesn't sound super complicated, right? But you want to make sure you do it right. Nothing would be worse than opening your water storage to find that it's not drinkable. We've prepared these quick steps to help ensure that your water storage container is filled correctly and will last.

STEP 1: Before filling a water container make, sure you clean it thoroughly. You can safely clean a food-grade water container with dish soap and water. You can also clean it is by adding 1 tsp. of liquid house bleach to 1-quart of water. Make sure all soap residues is out before filling the container with water.

STEP 2: Fill the container with regular tap water. For your larger containers like a 15-30 gallons, you might want to use a hose. WARNING: A standard garden hose could contain a lead lining and is not recommended for water storage. If you are unsure if your hose contains lead, check with your local home improvement store to locate a lead-free or food-grade garden hose.

STEP 3: When using your standard tap water, it will last for about 6-months on the shelf without needing to be rotated. To maximize the water supply, it should be treated with a water preserver (Add 8 drops of preserver for every gallon of water). This will render the water a 5-year storage life.

STEP 4: Be sure to place the date on the water container so you know when you’ll need to fill it again. If you used chlorine treated water, rotate every 6 months. If you used a water preserver or tablets, rotate as often as the package indicates.

STEP 5: Store in a cool, dry, dark place. It’s ideal to store water in a location where nothing in the home will be damaged if the container leaks. Also, it's helpful to remember that you can improve the taste of the water by pouring it back and forth between containers before use.

Storage Tip: Have a drain close by or access to the outside where you can dump your water and easily replenish it with new fresh water.