Container Comparison Table
| Container Type | Capacity | Material | Durability | Portability | UV Resistance | Best Use | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Commercial water bottles (disposable) | 16 oz - 1 gallon | PET (plastic #1) | Low-Medium | Excellent | Low | Short-term, go-bags | | HDPE water jugs (food-grade) | 1-7 gallons | HDPE (plastic #2) | Good | Good | Moderate | Flexible home storage | | WaterBOB bathtub bladder | 100 gallons | Polyethylene | Single-use | Fixed | N/A | Emergency fill, one-time use | | 5-gallon stackable containers | 5 gallons | HDPE | Very good | Good | Good | Standard home storage | | 7-gallon Reliance aquatainers | 7 gallons | HDPE | Very good | Fair (heavy full) | Good | Balanced capacity/portability | | 15-gallon barrels | 15 gallons | HDPE | Excellent | Poor (135 lbs full) | Good | Intermediate bulk | | 55-gallon drums | 55 gallons | HDPE | Excellent | None (458 lbs full) | Good | Primary bulk storage | | 250-gallon IBC tote | 250 gallons | HDPE in steel frame | Excellent | None | Good | Large-scale storage | | Stainless steel containers | Variable | Stainless 304 or 316 | Excellent | Variable | Excellent | Premium, long-term | | Glass containers | Variable | Borosilicate glass | Fragile | Poor | Excellent | Small quantities, tinctures |
Plastic Codes and Water Safety
| Resin Code | Material | Water Storage Safe? | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | 1 — PET | Polyethylene Terephthalate | Yes (short-term) | Clear soda/water bottles; fine for 1-2 years; not for hot liquids | | 2 — HDPE | High-Density Polyethylene | Yes | The standard for water storage; durable, opaque, food-grade | | 3 — PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride | No | Contains plasticizers that can leach; not for drinking water | | 4 — LDPE | Low-Density Polyethylene | Yes (flexible applications) | Bags and flexible containers; less durable for rigid storage | | 5 — PP | Polypropylene | Yes | Lids, caps, some containers; heat-resistant | | 6 — PS | Polystyrene | No | Styrofoam; not for water storage | | 7 — Other | Varies (includes PC) | Varies — check BPA | Old polycarbonate (clear hard plastic) may contain BPA; newer #7 may not |
Container-Specific Notes
HDPE 5-Gallon Containers (Reliance, Scepter, etc.)
The workhorse of home water storage. At 5 gallons (41.6 lbs), these containers are manageable for most adults to carry. They stack reasonably, fit in standard shelving, and the spigots and lids are widely available.
Spigot upgrade: Most 5-gallon containers have a standard opening. A screw-in spigot replaces the cap and allows dispensing without lifting. Worth the $5 upgrade for containers you'll access frequently.
The 7-gallon Reliance Aquatainer is a common alternative — slightly more volume per container (58.3 lbs full), slightly less portable, but fewer containers needed for the same total storage.
55-Gallon HDPE Drums
The standard for serious bulk storage. Available new from water storage retailers or used from food and beverage suppliers.
Used drums: A drum that previously held food or beverage items (not chemicals, not motor oil) can be cleaned and used for water. A "food-grade" drum should have had FDA-approved contents. Avoid any drum with a chemical smell — contamination can be nearly impossible to fully remove from porous plastic.
New blue drums: The iconic blue color of water barrels is not accidental — blue was standardized to indicate potable water storage and provides modest UV blocking.
Bung holes: Standard 55-gallon barrels have two bung holes (2-inch and 3/4-inch). These require a special bung wrench to open. Don't store 55-gallon drums without also having the wrench.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel containers (specifically 304 or 316 grade) are excellent for water storage with no leaching concerns, indefinite durability, and full UV resistance. They're also opaque, which prevents algal growth even in light exposure.
Cost: Significantly more expensive than HDPE. More appropriate for smaller portable containers (water bottles, camping containers) than bulk storage.
Not all stainless is equal: Thin-walled cheap stainless can contain nickel and chromium that may leach. 304 or 316 stainless (food-grade specification) is the standard.
Containers to Avoid
Milk jugs: HDPE but thin-walled and porous from dairy residue. Short shelf life (months, not years). Not suitable for water storage.
Soda 2-liter bottles: PET plastic, acceptable for short-term use. Thinner than purpose-made water containers.
PVC containers: The plasticizer phthalates and potentially BPA-adjacent chemicals used in PVC manufacture can leach into stored water. Not acceptable.
Old polycarbonate carboys: The 5-gallon blue polycarbonate bottles used by office water coolers may contain BPA. Modern versions are BPA-free but verify before purchasing used equipment.
Repurposed chemical containers: Never. Even thorough washing cannot guarantee safe water storage in a container that held industrial chemicals, pesticides, or similar.
Labeling and Organization
Every water storage container should be labeled with:
- Contents: "Drinking Water — Treated" or "Water — Untreated" if from a source that requires treatment
- Fill date: Month and year is sufficient
- Source: Municipal tap, well, rainwater, etc.
Masking tape and a permanent marker is adequate. Reviewing dates when you do your annual rotation check is much easier with clear labeling.
Color coding: Some preparedness planners use different colored containers for different water uses — blue for drinking, clear for cooking, green for non-potable uses. Not required, but useful for large stockpiles.
Find 55-Gallon Water Storage Barrels on AmazonSources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I identify food-grade plastic?
Look for the NSF/ANSI 61 certification mark (specifically for water contact), or check the resin identification code (the recycling symbol number) on the bottom. HDPE (code 2) and PET (code 1) are the most common food-grade plastics appropriate for water storage. Polypropylene (code 5) is also food-safe. Avoid PVC (code 3) for long-term water storage. All containers should be labeled as 'food-grade' by the manufacturer.
What is BPA and do you need to worry about it for water containers?
BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical used in polycarbonate plastic that can leach into stored water, with potential hormonal effects. Polycarbonate water containers (the older hard clear or tinted containers) contain BPA. Modern food-grade water storage containers are almost universally BPA-free polyethylene (HDPE). If you're buying new containers, look for HDPE or 'BPA-free' labeling. Avoid old polycarbonate carboys unless specifically certified BPA-free.
Can you use repurposed food containers for water storage?
Yes, with limitations. Food-grade containers that previously held water, juice, or non-oil beverages can be cleaned and used for water storage. Milk jugs specifically should not be used — the porous HDPE in milk jugs retains dairy residue that promotes bacterial growth and the jugs are designed for short-term use. Containers that previously held soy sauce, vinegar, or similar will retain flavor compounds. Best repurposed containers: commercial water jugs (gallon jugs from water), juice containers (rinse thoroughly), soda bottles (PET plastic, very clean).