How long does stored water last?
The short answer
Replace water you store yourself every 6 months, as the CDC and Ready.gov advise. For store-bought bottled water, go by the date printed on the bottle. Label every container "drinking water" with the date you filled it, so you always know what to swap next.
Replacement times at a glance
| Type of water | Replace | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tap water you put in your own clean containers | Every 6 months | CDC, Ready.gov |
| Unopened store-bought bottled water | By the date printed on the bottle | CDC |
| Emergency water pouches or cans | By the date printed on the package | Manufacturer's label |
| Well water or untreated water you treated with bleach | Every 6 months | Ready.gov |
The CDC calls unopened, commercially bottled water the safest and most reliable source in an emergency. It's also the easiest to keep track of, because the date is already printed on it.
Print labels for your containers
The CDC suggests labeling stored water "drinking water" with the date. Make your labels here, then print them and tape one to each container.
Label maker
Replace by is 6 months after the fill date, for water you put in your own containers.
Check your water when you replace it
- Leaks and damage. Replace any container that's cracked, bulging or leaking.
- Cloudy water. Ready.gov treats cloudy water as suspicious. Don't drink it untreated. Replace it, or make it safe first.
- Where it's kept. The CDC's rule is 50–70°F, away from direct sunlight and chemicals like gasoline or pesticides. A hot garage or a sunny window breaks that rule. See storing water in a garage or car.
Don't waste the old water
Water you're swapping out is still useful for plants, cleaning or flushing the toilet. Then wash and sanitize the containers before you refill them. Our containers guide has the CDC's cleaning steps.
Make it a habit
Pick two dates a year that are easy to remember and swap your water then, like the start of spring and fall. The calendar button above, and the one in the water storage calculator, put a reminder on your phone.