Every year, millions of people buy bottled water for its convenience and portability. For people who have bottles of water sitting unused in their car or pantry, however, knowing whether the water is still usable can be a challenge.
Health Risks
Old water is more likely to become contaminated with bacteria . Studies have also shown that some plastic water bottles will leach plastic chemicals into the water if placed into storage for too long. These chemicals have been shown to cause cancer in some laboratory animals.
Warning
Bottled water is generally packaged in containers made out of the plastics PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high-density polyethylene). These plastics are somewhat porous, and water stored in these bottles will begin to take on the smell taste of its surroundings. If you've stored the water in your basement or garage for some time, the water may be unpleasant to drink.