Water sitting in Jerry Cans

[torsion]

How long can water be stored and sit in water grade Jerry cans and remain safe to use (not for human drinking), but maybe to water animals, use for washing etc.
I guess domestic water tanks used for mass collection sit for ever in a day.

[JD-120]

a long time i hope, cause water sits in jerrys on the side of my trailer for months on end. And we drink it

[gronk]

I have water tanks under the van, and a jerry at the rear....that I drink out of, and in 3 1/2 yrs have never emptied any of them , just refill to full before going camping.

A can of Coke will probably do you more harm than water that has been sitting around for ages !!

[Supersi]

It will be better in dark containers, where the light can get in algae will grow eventually. Plenty of farms/villages store water in tanks for long periods.

[geopaj]

It will be better in dark containers, where the light can get in algae will grow eventually. Plenty of farms/villages store water in tanks for long periods.

Yep, how often do most people drain and clean their rain water tanks and then refill them with clean fresh water? I would suggest 99% of people never would.

[Goose]

We have a 60-70 litre tank and usually nearly empty it on a 3-4 day camping trip. When we get home from the trip we refill the tank from our garden hose just before backing trailer into the garage. The trailer and the water will then sit a few for weeks (or months over winter) before the next trip. Having the full tank ready means it's one less thing to do when heading out next. No issues ever with water sitting in the tank for months, but that said its always "our" water and the tank and piping are made for drinking water.

If your jerrys are the clear plastic ones, be mindful that light can get in and help algae form.