Canteens??

**Risky Ruger** · 06-26-2009, 10:14 PM

How long can water safely stay in a canteen before it isn't drinkable?

**nightrunner** · 06-26-2009, 10:15 PM

great question!

**SUNTZU** · 06-26-2009, 10:39 PM

Well, how much are you planning on drinking on a daily basis? If you're planning on storing water long term, a canteen isn't the way to go, IMO.

For long term storage, you're better off with water barrels. Factory water bottles will store for awhile as long as they are kept out of light and heat. They never were meant for long term storage. Water stored in barrels will last awhile, but may start to taste funny as it becomes deoxygenated. Stir it with something clean to help with the taste and avoid purchasing an aerator, unless you just have the money. With power loss, your back to running a pump by hand, if you've bought one, or stirring by hand. Take a look at Aqua Paks.

Reliance Aqua-Pak 2.5 & 5 gallon Water Container

or

Reliance Aqua Tainer Water Jug

Drums

Water Storage and Water Filtration

Gravity filter

Monolithic Marketplace - Just Water, Ceramic Drip-Filter

Here is a link to some info by Dr. David Manz on sand filtration of water in developing countries

Manz Water Info | David Manz

The bottom of that link has manuals and guides on how to build one.

I have also seen rain barrels for sale at Ace Hardware stores.

**redbarron06** · 06-26-2009, 10:56 PM

I would not go more than 2 days in a canteen. Especailly if it is warm outside. After water reaches certain temps it will actually encourage the growth of those little nasties that will cause the runs. In Desert Storm we were actually not allowed to use canteens and had to drink from water bottles.

**Risky Ruger** · 06-26-2009, 11:01 PM

if you re-boiled it, would it be suitable for another few days? I assuming water to be scarce and limited resources are available.

**Kegger** · 06-27-2009, 12:04 AM

Sterilize the inside of the canteen, use boiling water, should keep for about a week.

And yeah, you can always reboil.

**ab28** · 06-27-2009, 02:52 AM

I hike a lot, and left canteens for up to a month with water in them. My preferred water containers are Powerade bottles, they are just the right height and width, and I prefer a clear water bottle over one you can't see through, since I filter my water through a t-shirt and use Aquamira drops, one look and I can see if any floaties got past the tshirt.

**Mark@Sea** · 07-01-2009, 11:57 AM

I vaguely remember something about adding a couple of drops of bleach to sterilize stored water....

**creeky** · 07-01-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ab28

I hike a lot, and left canteens for up to a month with water in them. My preferred water containers are Powerade bottles, they are just the right height and width, and I prefer a clear water bottle over one you can't see through....

The quart Gatoraide bottle work great. Weigh less than Nalgene, cheap and pretty tough. The threads also attach to my brother-in-laws water filer directly.

Not sure about how long water will keep though.

**ScottD** · 07-01-2009, 01:17 PM

Iodine tablets will help water keep longer, but don't expect it to taste good.

06-26-2009, 10:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Risky Ruger TGO Member Joined: Jun 2009 Where: Springfield, TN Age: 26 Posts: 53	Canteens?? How long can water safely stay in a canteen before it isn't drinkable? __________________ Ruger SR9 9MM S&W 442 .38 S Taurus 66 .357 Magnum

06-26-2009, 10:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
nightrunner law-abiding outlaw Joined: Jan 2008 Where: Manchester, TN Age: 21 Posts: 2,008	great question! __________________ It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

06-26-2009, 10:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
SUNTZU Faugh a Ballagh Joined: Dec 2007 Where: at the old spot by the river Age: 32 Posts: 3,906 Blog Entries: 5	Well, how much are you planning on drinking on a daily basis? If you're planning on storing water long term, a canteen isn't the way to go, IMO. For long term storage, you're better off with water barrels. Factory water bottles will store for awhile as long as they are kept out of light and heat. They never were meant for long term storage. Water stored in barrels will last awhile, but may start to taste funny as it becomes deoxygenated. Stir it with something clean to help with the taste and avoid purchasing an aerator, unless you just have the money. With power loss, your back to running a pump by hand, if you've bought one, or stirring by hand. Take a look at Aqua Paks. Reliance Aqua-Pak 2.5 & 5 gallon Water Container or Reliance Aqua Tainer Water Jug Drums Water Storage and Water Filtration Gravity filter Monolithic Marketplace - Just Water, Ceramic Drip-Filter Here is a link to some info by Dr. David Manz on sand filtration of water in developing countries Manz Water Info \| David Manz The bottom of that link has manuals and guides on how to build one. I have also seen rain barrels for sale at Ace Hardware stores. __________________ "An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself... A murderer is less to fear." --Marcus Tullius Cicero

06-26-2009, 10:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
redbarron06 TGO Senior Member Joined: Feb 2009 Where: Whites Creek, TN Age: 38 Posts: 566	I would not go more than 2 days in a canteen. Especailly if it is warm outside. After water reaches certain temps it will actually encourage the growth of those little nasties that will cause the runs. In Desert Storm we were actually not allowed to use canteens and had to drink from water bottles. __________________ Bitterly clinging to my guns, my bible, and my Constitution Proud Member of: Army Aviation Association of America National Rifle Association Gun Owners of America Tennessee Firearms Association

06-26-2009, 11:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Risky Ruger TGO Member Joined: Jun 2009 Where: Springfield, TN Age: 26 Posts: 53	if you re-boiled it, would it be suitable for another few days? I assuming water to be scarce and limited resources are available. __________________ Ruger SR9 9MM S&W 442 .38 S Taurus 66 .357 Magnum

06-27-2009, 12:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Kegger TGO Member Joined: Mar 2008 Where: Franklin, TN Age: 22 Posts: 264	Sterilize the inside of the canteen, use boiling water, should keep for about a week. And yeah, you can always reboil.

06-27-2009, 02:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
ab28 TGO Member Joined: Nov 2008 Where: Murfreesboro, TN Age: 29 Posts: 105	I hike a lot, and left canteens for up to a month with water in them. My preferred water containers are Powerade bottles, they are just the right height and width, and I prefer a clear water bottle over one you can't see through, since I filter my water through a t-shirt and use Aquamira drops, one look and I can see if any floaties got past the tshirt. __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity.

07-01-2009, 11:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mark@Sea TGO Senior Member Joined: Jul 2007 Where: Kingsport, more or less Age: 46 Posts: 1,483	I vaguely remember something about adding a couple of drops of bleach to sterilize stored water.... __________________ Ralph sez: "Whats in YOUR wallet?"

07-01-2009, 01:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
ScottD Liberty or Death Joined: Jan 2008 Where: La Vergne, TN Age: 25 Posts: 371	Iodine tablets will help water keep longer, but don't expect it to taste good. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ!

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