How Do I Store Water in 2-Liter Soda Bottles?

Water needs to be stored safely to keep it drinkable.

Storing water is one way to prepare for long trips, camping, power outages and potential disasters. While it is recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to use commercially bottled water for storage, you can store water in 2-liter soda bottles if you know how to prepare it. If you are planning for emergency purposes, then you'll want to prepare 4 liters per person per day, and store enough water for at least a three-day supply.

Things You'll Need

• Empty 2-liter soda bottles
• Dish-washing liquid
• Clean water
• Non-scented chlorine bleach
• Permanent marker

Instructions

1. Wash your empty bottles and lids with water and dish-washing liquid inside and out. Rinse each bottle and lid well to get rid of any residual soap.

2. Add 1 tsp. of bleach to a quart of water to create a sanitizing solution. Pour the solution into a bottle, and swish the bottle around to let the solution touch all areas inside the bottle. Pour some into the cap of the bottle as well to sanitize it.

3. Pour out the sanitizing solution from the bottles and caps, and rinse the plastic well to remove the bleach with clean water. Be careful not to touch the threading of the bottle or cap with your hands once they are sanitized to maintain purity.

4. Fill each bottle with tap water all the way to the top of the bottle. For treated water that already contains chlorine, place the cap on the bottle and seal tightly. For well or spring water, add two drops only of bleach to the full bottle and place the cap on the bottle.

5. Label the outside of the bottle with a permanent marker with "drinking water" and the date you bottled it and sealed the cap. Store the water in a cool, dark place, such as under a bed or in a closet, for up to six months. Replace six-month-old water with new bottles and fresh water.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have small children, sick family members, nursing mothers or particularly hot temperatures in your area, then you may need to store more than 4 liters of water per person.

• Do not reuse plastic jugs from milk or juice products.

References

• FEMA: Water