Unsealed Bottle of Water Safe for How Long?

[gigi]

@Smeghead

Water is NOT sufficient to support bacterial growth alone. It’s possible there may have been some junk around the mouth of the bottle, but bacteria need nutrients other than water.

But what about backwash?

[Stan_Shmenge]

@Smeghead

Water is NOT sufficient to support bacterial growth alone. It’s possible there may have been some junk around the mouth of the bottle, but bacteria need nutrients other than water.

So what is your explanation? That water was FOUL.

[MFIL]

@Happy Wanderer

So what is your explanation? That water was FOUL.

My understanding is that saliva is the cause of the problem. Saliva caught between the cap and the bottle will start to generate odor after a while.

Try not to drink directly from the bottle and the water will last for ages.