When Drinking Water Stands...

[ercarta]

A buddy of mine buys water by the gallon then allows it to stand unrefrigerated after opening the gallon because he prefers to drink the water at room temp. Is this healthy?

Why am I thinking that bacteria will grow in his drinking water? Maybe I've just never seen anyone do that before. What do you guys think? Does it matter if you refrigerate drinking water after opening the gallon? :confused:

[Juli B.]

Nah. We always carried a gallon of water around with us in the desert, and no one ever got sick from it, even when it heated up. (If we were taking lots of water for long river trips, we put a drop of bleach in it. I know, sounds gross.) And here, I let glasses of water sit (covered) at room temp. all day (hate the brain-freeze thing). However, in big containers--like water coolers--the longer the water stands, the more the chance of bacteria growing. As long as the water's being drunk in a reasonable amount of time; it's cool. Also, think about how gallons of water sit on store shelves, and we never hear of anyone getting sick. I think it's the size of the container that matters (not that size matters otherwise ;) ).

[Lrn2dnc]

Exposure to the air is the prime determiner.

[PHXguy]

Compare that to a water dispenser. The water in the bottle is not refrigerated but only the part that is in the dispenser pipes. So, practically it's the same case like having the water in the room temperature for much portion of the bottle. Once we press the dispenser, the water flows through either refrigerated pipe or heated pipe for only how many feet.
Again as mentioned earlier, the key is exposure to open air and keeping the opening of the dispenser clean so that nothing can get into it.

[ercarta]

Well in the original post I was referring to a gallon being opened, poured, and then closed again repeatedely until the gallon of water is completely consumed. This can take up to a week's time I'm guessing to finish a gallon of water.

So what I'm gathering then is that it is NOT a healthy habit to close a gallon once opened if you are not going to refrigerate the water because room temp. water needs exposure to air to stay fresh, is this correct? :)


Again as mentioned earlier, the key is exposure to open air and keeping the opening of the dispenser clean so that nothing can get into it.

[Pacific Blues]

Well in the original post I was referring to a gallon being opened, poured, and then closed again repeatedely until the gallon of water is completely consumed. This can take up to a week's time I'm guessing to finish a gallon of water.

I also do this and have had no problems. Except once in a while I have seizures and lose hearing in my left ear. Seriously, it's just water. As long as the cap is replaced, it should remain potable for a long time. There are far more dangerous things to worry about like pesticides, genetically modified foods, chemicals that mimmic estrogen, Taco Bell, my retarded co-worker, etc.

[zipbow]

Taco Bell?? What's wrong with Taco Bell?? *stares at my dinner*

[Newbie]

A buddy of mine buys water by the gallon then allows it to stand unrefrigerated after opening the gallon because he prefers to drink the water at room temp. Is this healthy?



You gotta be kidding me? It's WATER!!

[stellartois]

i like to drink my water at room temp. also. it doesn't taste as good.. but better for my sensitive teeth :D however, i try not to keep my bottles around for more than a day since my mouth has touched it...apparently, bacteria's there.

[PHXguy]

i like to drink my water at room temp. also. it doesn't taste as good.. but better for my sensitive teeth :D however, i try not to keep my bottles around for more than a day since my mouth has touched it...apparently, bacteria's there.
Now, this one is different. You are right. There have been reports that some plastic used in portable water in the market can be a good medium for the growth of bacteria and/or germs once open. Therefore, it is strongly not recommended to keep the open bottle around, let alone refill it as some would do. It's a big no no.