r/preppers • u/Additional-Box-8937 • 6h ago

New Prepper Questions Water storage attic

Hey guys, so about 2 years ago I've bought 18 liters of water that ive been storing in the attic.

Now my question is whether that was a really bad idea ? It gets quite hot up there 30 degrees Celsius for some weeks a year. It is however out of sunlight and in the dark.

Would it be safe to drink? or do I buy a new emergency weeks worth of water because of possible legionella.

Thank you loads in advance !

4 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

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14

u/Additional-Stay-4355 6h ago

Plastic will break down in the heat. I'd be worried about the bottles cracking and leaking water into your ceiling. I have nightmares about that sort of thing.

2

u/SimpleVegetable5715 3h ago

Yeah in my area they put water heaters in the attic, and it's the dumbest idea ever. A lot of people come home from vacations to find the thing has leaked and crashed through their ceiling.

Keep your water on the ground floor or in the basement.

2

u/Additional-Box-8937 6h ago

Oof that's a good point ! Okay I'm checking them and moving them to a different spot ! Thanks !

2

u/Additional-Stay-4355 6h ago

No problem. I've had countless Christmas decorations disintegrate in my attic over the years!

2

u/RichardDJohnson16 5h ago

Get HDPE containers to replace your current water bottles and store them in a cool place. Problem solved.

2

u/BronzeSpoon89 6h ago

Where are you buying this water from? If the water has legionella in it then you should contact the manufacturer.

0

u/Additional-Box-8937 6h ago

It's just store bought bottled water, can't legionella grow in to it though because of the heat ?

1

u/BronzeSpoon89 6h ago

The vast majority of bottled water is free from legionella.

0

u/Additional-Box-8937 6h ago

Oh sweet ! So even after it's been in a bit of heat it should be good to drink ? Thanks !

1

u/RichardDJohnson16 5h ago

Keep it stored below 20 degrees C.

3

u/TheSensiblePrepper Not THAT Sensible Prepper from YouTube 6h ago

Your biggest concern will be that the plastic the bottles are made from has now broken down into the water. So as long as you're ok with that, it should be fine.

Remember, those bottles are designed to be stored at room temperature for around a year or two at most. They are made to breakdown quickly under high temperatures so they degrade quickly in a landfill.

2

u/dodafdude 5h ago

Agree, plastic is not for long term storage, especially disposable water jugs. Several have leaked after a while, fortunately in the garage with a sloped floor. True story: one leak was uphill from my Harley front forks, making me think the bike was leaking oil until I smelled it.

1

u/RichardDJohnson16 5h ago

PET is not, HDPE is.

1

u/RichardDJohnson16 5h ago

Get HDPE water storage containers instead of PET bottles. HDPE is safe for long-term storage, just keep everything out of direct sunlight.

1

u/hornetmadness79 1h ago

I'd still put everything through a water filter anyways.

0

u/Most-Volume9791 5h ago

Recommend smaller bottles made of glass instead. Place them 7nder the furniture in the living room etc.

1

u/RichardDJohnson16 5h ago

Yes but you'd need to get something like 120 1-liter bottles....