Bacteria, fungi and even mold can thrive in a water bottle, thanks mainly to its moist environment. Simply rinsing the bottle out with water isn't sufficient, and care must be taken when cleaning bottles that have attached straws and narrow-mouth lids with lots of nooks and crannies.
They discovered bacteria contamination in 83 percent of the used plastic bottles. Most prevalent were Staphylococcus aureus (found in 27 percent of the bottles) and E. coli (found in 17 percent).
Storing Water in Plastic Containers
When you're using plastic containers, never store water in them for longer than 3 to 6 months, and keep a close eye for when it starts to become discoloured, cloudy or for any signs of contamination that will make it harmful for consumption.
Two dangers are typically cited with these warnings. The first is that chemicals might leach from the plastic into the water you are drinking. The second is that bacteria can grow in the bottles once they are opened.
Bacteria number can quickly increases to 1-2 million counts/ml in the bottles one day later.
Bacteria, such as E. coli, can grow in water bottles and lead to food poisoning-like symptoms or gastroenteritis -- even mold can grow in your bottle if you're not careful. That's why it's important to clean the smaller parts of the water bottle with a toothbrush or bottle brush.
Does tap water go bad? Tap water can be stored and consumed for up to 6 months with minimal risk of adverse side effects as long as it has been stored properly ( 1 , 2, 3). However, tap water that has been carbonated can become flat as the gas slowly escapes from the liquid, resulting in changes in flavor.
Plastic water bottles contain chemicals, and those chemicals can leach into the water. This plastic leachate can have detrimental health effects on consumers. At certain levels of exposure, some of the chemicals in plastic, especially the chemical known as bisphenol A (BPA), have even been implicated as carcinogens.
For many years, people have been circulating hoax emails claiming that drinking water from plastic bottles can cause cancer, especially if they have been left in cars, or frozen and reused. There is no good scientific evidence to support these claims.
We've all gotten a mouthful of weird-tasting morning-after water, but why does the flavor change? And is it safe to drink? The short answer is that it's perfectly fine to drink.
“You need to wash your water bottles after every use,” Sansori says, “or daily if you refill throughout the day. It may only hold water, but bacteria breeds in damp, dark environments like the inside of the bottle.”
After use, each day, wash your bottle in hot water with a teaspoon of unscented dish soap added. Let it soak for a few minutes, rinse it well using warm water and then allow it to dry completely before the next use. If the bottle is dishwasher safe, run it through your dishwasher for thorough cleaning and sanitizing.
How often should you be cleaning it? Both Stapf and Hutchings recommended washing your water bottle once a day. As far as sanitizing goes, experts recommend this at least once a week, but you can do it more often if you've been sick or you've taken your bottle outside.
Glass is the safest water bottle type because it's chemical-free, made from natural materials, and dishwasher safe. When buying a glass bottle, there are a few things to look for: Has it been tested for lead and cadmium content? Make sure it has been tested and that neither are present – it's that simple.
We have handpicked the top 3 kinds of water bottles most trusted by consumers for safety: Glass Water bottles: Glass bottles neither change the taste of the water contained nor have the ability to contaminate. Many food supplements and beverages are often stored in glass bottles all around the world.
Why is bottled water bad for you? Bottled water is laced with harmful chemicals such as phthalates which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, plastic bottles contain BPA which has been linked to various reproductive issues.
Overall, both tap and bottled water are considered good ways to hydrate. However, tap water is generally a better option, as it's just as safe as bottled water but costs considerably less and has a much lower environmental impact. Plus, with a reusable water bottle, tap water can be just as convenient as bottled.
Mineral water: usually the healthiest bottled water choice. Contains beneficial minerals. Alkaline water: has a high pH, which has been associated with certain health benefits. However, it can upset the natural acidity of your stomach, leading to digestion issues for some.
Two prominent examples include paper water bottles and paper shower-friendly shampoo bottles. Reusable containers have gained popularity as well. Metal and glass water bottles have emerged as an eco-friendly way to reuse and reduce.
Loss of palatability is directly linked with absorption of microorganisms from the air. These organisms can grow and pollute unrefrigerated water within 24 hrs if the container is left open to the atmosphere.
1. Switzerland: With strict treatment standards and superior natural resources, Switzerland ranks number one for best EPI. In fact, Swiss tap water is as pure as its bottled water – but 500 times cheaper.
The risks associated to drinking water filtered by a fridge, includes exposure to microorganisms such as coliform and salmonella, which affect your health and the quality of water. The unfortunate truth is fridges are not as clean as they could be.
The recommended shelf life is two years. The U.S. Food and Drug administration which regulates bottled water does not require a shelf life be listed but due to degradation of plastic over time, especially in heat we recommend two years for still water and one year for sparkling water.
In addition to leaching chemicals into the water, these bottles can also harbor bacteria. When you refill a bottle, you introduce new bacteria into the water. This can lead to illness, particularly if you are immunocompromised or have a chronic illness.
"Plastic water bottles can start to break down after continued use and need to be replaced about once a year," Leanne Stapf, chief operating officer at The Cleaning Authority, told POPSUGAR. "Glass bottles have a long shelf life, but can break easily, so they aren't ideal for those with an active lifestyle.