Does water expire? How long does it take for a glass of
water to go bad? How long does bottled water last? Yes - water can go bad, but
how long this takes depends on how your water’s been treated and how it’s been
stored. We take a look at all the conditions that determine how long drinking
water can be stored.
How long can tap
water be stored?
Tap water that’s been treated with chlorine to disinfect it can be
stored in the fridge for around 24 hours and still be safe to drink, according
to Water UK - the organisation representing water and wastewater service
providers. It’s best stored in a sealed glass bottle to prevent any
contamination. After 24 hours, it’s likely that the chlorine will have
evaporated and bacteria may begin to grow, although this depends on the amount
of water, the temperature it’s stored at, and the amount of chlorine in it.
Water should be stored in sealed containers as it’s a universal solvent,
meaning it dissolves more substances than any other liquid and ‘it takes odours and
it takes flavours’ according to US water sommelier Martin Reiss. Leaving an open
glass of water near anything that smells means that it’s likely to become
contaminated. This is why it’s not advised to store water next to cleaning
products and chemicals, especially if they’re in permeable plastic bottles.
It’s best to store water in glass containers as this won’t affect the
water at all. Stainless steel is a good alternative as it’s non-corrosive and
doesn’t leach chemicals. Plastic is slightly permeable and can contaminate the
water with the potentially harmful chemical BPA over time. Aluminium bottles
lined with an epoxy resin commonly used in food and beverage cans have also shown to
leach BPA into water.
How long can you
leave a glass of water out?
Carbon dioxide dissolves in water and alters its PH level so it becomes
slightly more acidic. This will change the taste of your drinking water, as
will any likely bacterial growth or changes in the mineral content over time.
Bacteria will grow more in warm water, especially if any chlorine has
evaporated. Therefore it’s best to discard any warm water that’s been left open
for more than 12 hours.
To help prevent your glass of water tasting stale or smelling off,
simply keep it covered. This is especially handy if you leave a glass of water
by your bedside overnight to drink first thing in the morning.
How long can bottled
water be stored?
While manufacturers of bottled water have to employ strict bottling methods to
make sure their products last while on the shelves, water in plastic bottles
should come with an expiry date. This expiry date, usually one to two years
after manufacture, relates to the plastic packaging. Plastic begins to release
chemicals into water after time, and these will slowly accumulate in our bodies
if we regularly drink water from plastic bottles.
As bought bottled mineral or spring water shouldn’t contain any
chlorine, once opened, bacteria will begin to grow. Bacteria growth will be far
less if the water is refrigerated. But as plastic is permeable, it’s best to
store any drinking water in sealed glass containers.
Shop bought bottled water, once opened, is best drunk within a few hours -
especially if it’s being kept at room temperature.
How long can
filtered water be stored?
Potentially, filtered water could be stored for a few weeks, as long as
it’s refrigerated and kept sealed in a glass bottle. If kept at room
temperature, then filtered water is best drunk within a few hours. If you’re
taking your filtered water out and about, it’s best kept in a tightly sealed
stainless steel flask that’ll help keep it cool as long as possible. As your
stored filtered water shouldn’t contain any chlorine, then bacteria will begin
to grow - especially if exposed to sunlight or kept at a warm temperature.
To enjoy it at its best, filtered water is always best drunk as soon as
possible. A decent home filtration system will ensure you always have freshly
filtered water on tap. The Virgin Pure countertop water system filters your tap
water directly from your mains supply, removes the chlorine and many other
contaminants, and then keeps the bacteria at bay with ultraviolet light
treatment. Virgin Pure’s inbuilt heating and refrigeration systems means that
it can dispense your filtered water at fifty different temperatures, from
boiling to chilled, at the touch of a button. Therefore you’ll no longer need
to store drinking water at all.
Do you want to find out more about the various types
of water available? Discover them all, from mineral to distilled and
purified water.
Once you add the Smart Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add the Smart Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add the Smart Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add the Smart Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a Package to your basket, and progress to the last stage of the checkout process, we will then add in your discount. So don't worry if you don't see it before then (such as in the cart).
Once you add a new subscription package to your basket, we will apply the first month free discount, which will be visible in your cart. So don’t worry if you don’t see it right away.
