Tip #15: Bottle Your Own Water
If you prefer, you can also bottle water using your own water source and receptacles. At any local camping supplies retailer you will be able to purchase various sizes of 'food-grade water storage containers.' These are ready to go and you simply need to fill them from your own water supply (assuming this is pure drinking water), seal the cap and write the bottling date on so you can consume in the correct order.
If you wish to be even more economical, you can reduce costs by recycling water containers. If you do this, it is essential you ensure that the containers are clean. Using containers that are in any way unclean can be very unhealthy. To be sure you are using clean containers, follow these steps:
- Never use cardboard containers. Tiny residues of sugars and proteins are impossible to remove from card and these may result in the spread of bacteria in your water.
- Always use plastic containers as these can be thoroughly disinfected.
- The plastic containers need to be washed with soap and water. They should then be carefully rinsed, ensuring all the soap is completely removed. Whenever you touch the bottles be sure that your hands are completely clean.
- The containers now need to be disinfected. This is done by 1 tsp of plain chlorine bleach, as used normally in cleaning your home, and mixing with ¼ gallon of water to form a solution. Let the solution wash over all the surfaces of your containers. Once this is done, rinse all the surfaces of your containers carefully.
- You are now ready to begin filling your containers. They can be filled directly from the water mains. Be careful to be sure that you are using the original cap for each of the containers as you want to be certain you are completely sealing each one. Fasten each cap securely.
Commercial water will have expiration dates. If you bottle your own water, you need to use and replace it every six months. Indicate the date you bottled your water by writing it on the container with a permanent marker.