How Long Does Bottled Water Last?
Bottled water does not have one universal expiration period set by the FDA, and unopened commercially bottled water can remain usable for a long time when it is stored correctly. If the manufacturer includes an expiration or best-by date, however, it is still a good idea to follow that date, especially when the water is being kept for emergency use. As a practical rule of thumb, plan to use or rotate unopened bottled water within about 2 years for the best quality.
How long bottled water stays at its best depends heavily on how it is stored. Keep unopened bottles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, extreme heat, gasoline, pesticides, and other chemicals. For households that keep water stocked for hurricane season or emergencies, checking the bottles periodically and rotating older water is a simple way to keep the supply fresh and ready to use.
Factors That Affect Bottled Water Shelf Life
To ensure the safety and quality of your water, it’s essential that you store it securely. Practicing proper food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness. In order to confirm that your water will have a long shelf life, you should:
- Keep bottled water stored at room temperature
- Store in a dry area away from sunlight
- Never store bottled water near cleaning products or other chemicals
- Never leave bottled water in a hot car
When it comes to drinking bottled water that has been stored, you should be wary of where it was stored, for how long it was stored, and in what conditions it was stored. If your water was stored in a cool or refrigerated area out of direct sunlight, it should be safe to drink.
Does Bottled Water Expire? Understanding Shelf Life
The water itself does not spoil in the same way that milk or other perishable foods do, but bottled water should still be stored properly, and any date printed by the manufacturer should be followed. Those dates can relate to product quality and stock rotation rather than meaning the water suddenly becomes unsafe the following day.
Rotating bottled water about every two years is a practical way to make sure the bottles are still in good condition and the water tastes as expected. Over long periods, heat and sunlight can affect the plastic packaging and may change the taste or odor of the water, while bottles can also become damaged, lose their seal, or pick up odors if stored near chemicals.
Storing Bottled Water for Emergencies
The shelf life of bottled water is important if you plan to store it for long periods of time, especially during bad weather or crisis situations. During hurricane season in Florida, it’s common for residents to plan ahead and store water for potential emergencies in the area.
From June to late November, hurricanes bring power outages, debris, and even loss of running water to our great state. But, even when we lose basic amenities, our bodies expect the same amount of clean water to survive. Since tap water can be easily compromised when the power goes out, it’s important to have clean bottled water on hand for you and your family to drink.
Plan ahead. Store bottled water in a designated area and make sure it meets general water storage requirements — at room temperature and not in direct sunlight. If you’re storing bottled water for emergency purposes, it’s recommended that spring water be stored for no more than one year.
Read more about storing water for emergencies. >>
Ideal Storage Conditions for Bottled Water
Bottled water keeps best in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and major temperature swings. An indoor pantry, closet, or storage room is usually a better choice than a garage, shed, or vehicle that can become extremely hot. It is also a good idea to keep bottled water away from gasoline, pesticides, cleaning products, and other strong chemicals that could affect the packaging or leave unwanted odors nearby.
How Can You Tell If Stored Bottled Water Is Still Good?
Before drinking older bottled water, check both the bottle and the water inside it. The bottle should still be sealed, free of leaks, and not badly warped, cracked, or damaged. If the water looks cloudy, has an unusual odor or taste, or the bottle appears compromised, it is better to replace it rather than take a chance.
The Best Alternative to Bottled Water — Water Delivery Services
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