I know milk jugs aren’t recommended for water storage, but out of curiosity how long do they last?
Several years, I believe. There are actual preppers here who will give you all the details, I’m sure.
Look for clear plastic bottles, milk jugs are not worth the effort, because of the impossibility of sufficient cleaning and the deterioration of the plastic.
If you can, treat yourself to real, dedicated, long lasting water containers that will hold up.
If you drink a lot of pop empty two liter bottles are great for water storage.
You simply can not remove the milk proteins from the jugs it came in without breaking down the plastic. It’s better to buy bottled water in purpose built containers. That will last for decades with no worries providing you store it properly.
I always keep extra water in my house. Never know when there’s a long power outage due to storms, ice, etc. Besides, Obama is playing at being ‘president’. Best be prepared.
Milk jugs are a higher bacteria risk than fruit juice or soda. And plastic deteriorates after a few months of being open.
It’s easiest to store water in GLASS containers. And you need to sanitize the containers and heat the water [as well as filter the water as much as you can stand], leaving a large enough air pocket that the bottles/jugs don’t crack.
Don’t forget to sanitize the caps as well.
My dad used to fill milk jugs with water for ice. When we’d make ice cream we would use them in the ice cream maker.
Even if you can’t drink the water it is good to have a hefty supply of ice on hand (for a while anyway).