You should stop reusing single-use plastic water bottles when they show cracks, deep scratches, or develop a slimy film, and ideally, stop using them for repeated refills altogether, switching to durable glass or stainless steel for regular reuse due to potential bacteria buildup and increased risk of chemical leaching from degrading plastic. If you must reuse disposable bottles, wash them daily with soap and hot water, but experts suggest limiting reuse to a few times, or replacing them every few weeks, as they aren't designed for longevity.
It's okay to reuse plastic water bottles, but only to a point. "You can refill the bottle as often as you like for 24 hours, but then discard it," Dr. Tierno says. In one study, researchers compared the bacterial growth in 15 stainless steel and 15 plastic PET water bottles.
Over time, reuse of plastic bottles may also lead to small cracks in the plastic that can be hard to spot. Bacteria can form in these cracks and may become difficult to keep clean.
When properly packaged and sealed from outside contaminants, water will not spoil and has an indefinite shelf life.
How Long Can You Drink Out Of The Same Water Bottle? Most manufacturers advise that you drink the water within two days of opening the bottle. That's because once opened, the water is no longer in a sterile environment and is exposed to bacteria from the air and your mouth.
Additionally, try not to reuse plastic bottles that have become cracked, or have been sitting in a warm environment, such as a hot car. All these things can increase the chance of harmful bacteria developing in the water bottles. That's why it's important to recycle plastic bottles when they start to smell.
The hidden threat: Microbes in your water bottle
While the rise in reusable water bottles is a positive step towards reducing plastic waste, they can also become breeding grounds for bacteria, mold, and other microbes if not cleaned properly.
It's important to note that the federal government does not require bottled water to be safer than tap. In fact, just the opposite is true in many cases. Tap water in most big cities must be disinfected, filtered to remove pathogens, and tested for cryptosporidium and giardia viruses. Bottled water does not have to be.
Algal spores are everywhere in the environment and they can be carried easily by the wind. With sunlight, warmth and moisture, algae can grow quickly and soon become visible in the bottle.
Our analysis indicated a statistically significant association between BW consumption and increased risk of hypertension (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–1.11), diabetes (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.18), gastric/duodenal ulcers (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.07–1.38), and kidney stones (OR = 1.17, 95% CI ...
The more you refill a plastic bottle, the more likely it is to be cracked and thus contaminated. While these chemicals can be dangerous in large quantities, fortunately, exposure from cracks is in very small amounts. It would likely require a pattern of repeated refills for any noticeable concerns to catch up with you.
However, numbers 2 (high density polyethylene), 4 (low density polyethylene), and 5 (polypropylene) should be safe.
Reusable water bottles have taken the social media world by storm, and while trends rise and fall, one thing remains — water bottles create an ideal breeding ground for mold growth.
Plastic bottles can harbor harmful bacteria, which is why most manufacturers recommend you use them only once. In truth, bacterial growth in water bottles is a much bigger concern than chemical leaching. If you need to reuse a plastic water bottle, make sure to wash it properly first.
Add warmth, lack of cleaning, and tight lids, and within a few days, your bottle can turn into a breeding ground. In one week, the risk of contamination is high. By two to three weeks, both bacterial build-up and plastic leaching in disposable bottles make the water unsafe for drinking.
Unfortunately, there is growing research that disposable plastic water bottles may increase your risk of heart disease.
The #1 healthiest water is often considered natural spring water for its essential minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium) and natural alkalinity, but filtered tap water is a top contender for convenience, cost, and safety, as it removes contaminants from municipal sources without losing beneficial minerals, making it a great all-around choice for most people. Ultimately, the best water is safe, tastes good, and encourages you to drink enough.
Not necessarily. While spring water does offer certain health benefits, bottled water is not regulated as stringently as tap water in many cases, and there have been instances where bottled water was found to be no safer than tap water. There's also the added concern of plastic chemicals leaching into the water.
If stored properly, bottled water can last for years without becoming unsafe to drink. Since water itself does not expire, the real concern lies in the bottle's storage conditions. For optimal taste and quality, Eternal Water prints a best-by date of two years from the production date on every bottle.
Water stored in thoroughly clean plastic or glass containers can be chemically disinfected for long-term storage by treating each gallon with 4 to 5 drops of unscented liquid chlorine bleach (Clorox or Purex type bleaches, containing 4% to 6% sodium hypochlorite). One teaspoon of bleach disinfects 5 gallons of water.
Bacteria thrive in moist environments. Water bottles, by their very nature, are constantly exposed to moisture, making them susceptible to bacterial contamination. While many bacteria prefer moderate temperatures, many can still grow at room temperature.
Plastic bottles are not tested in the same way our public water supply is. Some studies have even shown that contaminants, such as mold and bacteria, are present in plastic bottles. No one wants to drink unsafe and poorly regulated water.
In 2015, Niagara Bottling recalled 14 brands of spring water, including store brands like 7-11, Acadia, Acme, Best Yet, Big Y, Morning Fresh, Nature's Place, Pricerite, Shaws, Shoprite, Superchill, Wegman's, and Western Beef Blue, due to potential E. coli contamination from a spring source, affecting products made between June 10-18, 2015, with codes starting with 'A' or 'F'. Consumers were advised to check the production codes on bottles from these brands and avoid those from the affected period, though the company stated no E. coli was found in finished products.
The Reliable Sauce team lab tested ten reusable water bottles and found that they contained an average of 20.1 million bacteria per ml. In comparison, the public toilets that they tested, had just 600 bacteria per ml.