# "Shelf Life" of Water & Gasoline **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 14, 2001, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-life-of-water-gasoline/87405 "2001-10-14T22:43:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tsunamisurfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@tsunamisurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsunamisurfer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2001, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-life-of-water-gasoline/87405/1 "2001-10-14T22:43:37Z")
I recently heard federal government officials say that bottled water can be safely stored for two years, but it actually has an **indefinite shelf life** (within reason, of course), as long as the container remains sealed. Does anyone have more information on this? Is this true of tap water stored in clean barrels? Also, are there any additives that can be added to gasoline that will extend its “shelf life” to, say, 2-3 years? Naturally, this information is for a term paper… ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2001, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-life-of-water-gasoline/87405/2 "2001-10-14T22:51:40Z")
distilled water, which is sterile, in a new, sealed container, should last forever. regular water is just a big bacteria breeding pool, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2001, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-life-of-water-gasoline/87405/3 "2001-10-15T00:21:26Z")
Gasoline is highly volitile, so eventually the lighter fractions will evaporate, leaving behind a liquid unsuitable for 4-cycle engines. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2001, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-life-of-water-gasoline/87405/4 "2001-10-15T04:17:05Z")
Most of the info on long-term storage of water is from various Y2K websites. Ah, Y2K! Remember that? 😃 [http://www.storablefoods.com/water\_storage.html](http://www.storablefoods.com/water_storage.html) > [@](#): > > For long-term storage, tap water should be sterilized or disinfected in thoroughly cleaned plastic or glass containers. 21st Century Food Storage offers Redi Chlor Water Disinfection Tablets … [_blah blah blah but you can use bleach, see below_]… Also check with your local water plant for any additional information they may have for you. Because sunlight has an adverse effect on plastic, water should be stored away from direct exposure to sunlight. Store in a cool, dry area with no sunlight, like the basement. > > Water stored in plastic containers should not be stored near gasoline, kerosene, pesticides or similar substances. Vapors from these substances could permeate the plastic and affect the water. Thick-walled polyethylene containers are significantly less permeable to vapors than are thin walled containers. Be certain, when selecting a storage container for water, that it has a tight fitting cap or lid to prevent entrance of contaminants and evaporation of water. Because sunlight has an adverse effect on plastic, water should be stored away from direct exposure to sunlight. Store in a cool, dry area with no sunlight, like the basement. > > Studies show sterilized or disinfected water, stored in clean, food-approved containers with secure lids or caps should be safe for use even after many years of storage. > > We recommend changing properly stored water every three to five years. [http://www.alpineaire.com/info.html](http://www.alpineaire.com/info.html) > [@](#): > > For long-term storage, water should be sterilized or disinfected. water stored in thoroughly cleaned plastic or glass containers can be chemically disinfected for long-term storage by treating each gallon with 16 drops of liquid chlorine bleach (Clorox or Purex type bleaches, containing 4% to 6% sodium hypochlorite). One teaspoon of bleach disinfects five gallons of water. This level of treatment will prevent growth of microorganisms during storage. And, Your Tax Dollars At Work. [http://www.fema.gov/library/emfdwtr.htm](http://www.fema.gov/library/emfdwtr.htm) > [@](#): > > How to Store Emergency Water Supplies > You can store your water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers. Never use a container that has held toxic substances, because tiny amounts may remain in the container’s pores. Sound plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums. > > Before storing your water, treat it with a preservative, such as chlorine bleach, to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Use liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite and no soap. Some containers warn, “Not For Personal Use.” You can disregard these warnings if the label states sodium hypochlorite is the only active ingredient and if you use only the small quantities in these instructions. > > Add four drops of bleach per quart of water (or two scant teaspoons per 10 gallons), and stir. Seal your water containers tightly, label them and store them in a cool, dark place. Fuel degradation in storage. [http://theepicenter.com/tow021799.html](http://theepicenter.com/tow021799.html) I have to leave now, somebody else’s turn at the computer. Try Google, “Long term storage gasoline”. ---
**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2001, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-life-of-water-gasoline/87405/5 "2001-10-15T05:04:12Z")
Keeping water out of sunight is a big one, especially if the container is clear. I had tap water in a plastic bottle sitting on my front seat for a couple weeks, during which time it had just started to grow algae. Regular tap water is disinfected to some degree, but definatley isn’t totally sterile. There are also all kinds of spores and cysts that city chlorine won’t kill in tap water. Just fill a sterilized aquarium with tap water, seal the top, set it in the sunlight for a couple weeks, and watch all the little nerbies that always were in your water start hatching out and setting up home. ---
**Author:** ![suziek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8491ac/32.png) [@suziek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suziek)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2001, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-life-of-water-gasoline/87405/6 "2001-10-15T05:21:45Z")
What about the water you can buy at the grocery store in the plasic containers with the spouts? Is it sterilized? I have had some in my pantry for about a year. I don’t know if I should replace it. ---
**Author:** ![suziek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8491ac/32.png) [@suziek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suziek)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2001, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-life-of-water-gasoline/87405/7 "2001-10-15T05:37:29Z")
What about the water you can buy at the grocery store in the plasic containers with the spouts? Is it sterilized? I have had some in my pantry for about a year. I don’t know if I should replace it. ---
**Author:** ![tsunamisurfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@tsunamisurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsunamisurfer)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2001, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shelf-life-of-water-gasoline/87405/8 "2001-10-15T12:38:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by suziek \* > \*\*What about the water you can buy at the grocery store in the plasic containers with the spouts? Is it sterilized? \*\* Good question. I have no idea. Anyone else? [This may be a good time to invest in companies that sell bottled water–especially water from non-urban areas.]