I am a first time poster but have been lurking for awhile. I really enjoy everyone's thoughts & ideas. My question is does anyone know how long bottled water stays good? I don't know when to start stocking up because I'm not sure how long it will stay good? Thanks in advance for anyone's thoughts! Have a great day!

-- Lori Strohecker (las@cpabr.com), November 19, 1998

Answers

Most bottled water sold in grocery stores has dates on it. I just bought a jug yesterday that had an expiration date of November 2000. Go for it!

-- libby alexander (libbyalex@aol.com), November 19, 1998.

# # # 19981119

Hi, Lori,

My guess: The "expiry" date represents the life of the storage container. Two years sounds about right before the plastic bottle bio-degrades. ( Water doesn't have an expiration date! LOLROFLMAO!! )

Regards, Bob Mangus # # #

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus@mail.netquest.com), November 19, 1998.

Bob,

Perhaps you might get up off floor because SOME water DOES have an expiration date due to some interesting micro-organic information. Contact Lens solutions have a valid expiry date due to the ability of some micro-organisms to enter and grow in the solutions if thestabilization chemicals have lost their potency. CR

-- Chuck a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), November 19, 1998.

As a first time poster, I really didn't appreciate Mr. Mangus's reply to my answer. I asked a serious question and he had to add his two cents about ROFLMOA. I hope everyone on this site is not as rude is he. Thank you for the other people who did answer my question. I really appreciate it!

-- Lori Strohecker (las@cpabr.com), November 19, 1998.

# # # 19981119

Come on, CR ... Any "critters" can be boiled away. There is no "expiry" on water. Even if I put water into sterile containers yesterday, I'd sterilize it as a precaution. The risk of tainted water is nothing to take a chance on.

Military has special ( potable ) water trucks, designed and maintained to handle ( acceptable ) out-of-the-spigot drinking/cooking water.

Regards, Bob Mangus # # #

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus@mail.netquest.com), November 19, 1998.

# # # 19981119

Hello, Lori,

I apologize for the tone of my response as you might have interpreted it!

My response was directed more to the outrageous idea that water might have an "expiration" date by the first respondent to your *important* query. Without water, life perishes!

The importance of water for survival goes without saying. To see anyone suggest that there is an expiry date for water is ludicrous and/or ignorant. The only universal rule for water should be: STERILIZE, STERILIZE, STERILIZE!

Please accept my apology for not clearly directing my response at the intended target?

Regards, Bob Mangus

"I'm a computer 'Y2K-bomb' technician. If you see me running, try to keep up." RMangus

"Sometimes a majority simply means that all of the fools are of one mind." [Author Unknown]

Year 2000 Citizen Action Group [Y2KCAG] (Oakland County, Michigan - USA) E-mail: Pager: 810.912.8729 * A Volunteer Year 2000 Public Awareness Org. * *==================================================================* Open to preparedness items and ideas for general distribution! To subscribe: Subject: Y2KCAG subscribe PUBLIC or PRIVATE To unsubscribe: Subject: Y2KCAG unsubscribe Keep informed about and prepare for the "Year 2000 Techno-Ambush": Visit: Cassandra Project: Gary North: Sharefin's Gold Homepage: *==================================================================* # # #

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus@mail.netquest.com), November 19, 1998.

Apology accepted Bob! I guess that is the best thing to do is to boil all water just to be safe. Thanks again!

-- Lori Strohecker (las@cpabr.com), November 19, 1998.

Lori, your question is one that I have asked a time or two and still did not get an answer...so glad to see that you posted it! I was not interested in the fact that water needs to be boiled. All I wanted to know at first was IF I BOUGHT WATER AT THE STORE IN MY OWN CONTAINERS AND IT WAS THE HARMONY BROOK OSMOSIS KIND, HOW LONG WOULD IT BE GOOD FOR? That was all I wanted to know so that I could plan on how much I would need and how long it would be drinkable, without having to boil it. Or else I would just buy the already filled containers and check the expiration date on the container if there was one to be found. I just think that the Harmony Brook Osmosis water from the machine in the store tastes better! Any answers to my serious question would be appreciated. Thanks, Blondie

-- Blondie Marie (Blondie@future.net), November 19, 1998.

Those thick plastic 2 and 3 litre beverage bottles make a good container for stroring water provided you rinse them out (use a little antibacterial soap too) and air dry them completely. Some folks replace the water every few months (for a freaher taste I think) so mark the containers, then you'll know when to replace the water, and you can also rotate your supply. Now that's recycling! Cheers.

-- Robert Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), November 19, 1998.

In many ways water is more important than food. And you will use more than you can believe. A minimum is 2 gallons/person/day for all uses. My advise is to make a modest investment in a large storage container. go to www.watertanks.com. They sell a 200 gallon soft container for $89, 300 gal for $109. All things considered thats cheap. I do not have any connection with the company.

-- R. D..Herring (drherr@erols.com), November 19, 1998.

Store bought water is expensive. If you are planning on storing tap water, R.D. Herring has a good solution for large quantities. You might also consider 5 gal jugs specifically meant to store water. They are more portable if you need to transport. I've also read that plastic milk jugs should not be used. I think it had something to do with the jugs longjevity. Liter soda bottles are ok.

-- Bill S. (Bill_S3@juno.com), November 20, 1998.

We've stored water in the 2 litre pop bottles since the early 80's. No problem. If you use clean tap water it "should" be clean and ready to use for at least 2 years. If your water supply is suspect add 3 drops of clorox per each 2 litre bottle of water. That may make it smell funny but it won't have bugs in it.By the way(BTW) lots of people lurk here but for the most part we are safe.And kind, etc.

nine

-- nine (nine_fingers@hotmail.com), November 20, 1998.