Water should be stored in a UV-resistant, food-grade plastic container or in metallized bags to prevent bacteria.
Traditionally, water storage barrels are blue. This dark color limits light exposure and biological growth (bacteria and algae) and also signifies that what is stored in the container is safe for human consumption (for example, gasoline is stored in red containers).
The safest containers to hold water in are polyethylene-based plastics, or plastics #1, #2, and #4. Water barrels made out of plastic #2 are good for long-term storage and are BPA-free. You can figure out the number of plastic by looking for this symbol on the bottom of containers
Other helpful tips for storing water in plastic containers:
Don’t use milk jugs for water storage. Since milk jugs are biodegradable, they will break down over time. Also, any live cultures in the milk that remain in your jug could make you ill if you store drinking/cooking water in milk jugs.
Disposable water bottles are not great for long-term storage. Water can be stored for long-term use in re-useable bottles.
Soda Bottles and Powerade/Gatorade bottles can be used for long-term water storage. However, it’s important to remember that plastics absorb flavors, so your drinking water may have a cola taste. If you store water in soda or Powerade bottles, don’t use the water for cooking or else your soup might taste like cola!
