Last updated on January 31st, 2019
Awhile ago (years ago actually), I had researched and checked reviews while looking for a good quality heavy duty drinking water storage container, one that I could use while camping or RV’ing, as well as for hauling water from one place to another. It provides a water supply to simply set on the table with a convenient spigot.
Here’s what I settled on…
Reliance Aqua-Tainer Rigid Water Container
I settled on the Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container.
7-Gallons Water Storage
One reason I chose this particular container was for it’s larger-than-typical size, 7 gallons. Although I was initially looking for a 5-gallon heavy duty water container (40-pounds filled), I can still handle this 7-gallon container at 56-pounds filled (water weighs 8 pounds a gallon). Having 7 gallons provides a one-week supply at the recommended water storage of 1-gallon per person per day (bare minimum).
Note: A 5 gallon water jug will weigh less, so here’s a good one from Coleman:
Coleman Water Carrier
Spigot Design
I like this one because of its spigot design which uniquely fits inside the cap for storage, which prevents it from becoming lost while also being protected from damage when in storage or transit. The silicone O-ring seal prevents any splash or drips while snug. Reversing the spigot for normal operation is simple, and the water flow spigot lever feels heavy duty and doesn’t drip.
Note: It’s a good idea to keep a spare Spigot Assembly.
Reliance Products Replacement Spigot Assembly for Reliance Water Containers
Wide Mouth Water Opening
I also like this model water container because of its wide mouth opening, making it easier for filling and practical for dipping into – or getting in there to clean it; it just seemed like a better idea than a small opening and cap.
Some people use this container to store grains and other such dry goods.
Heavy Duty Material
The container is made of heavy duty material and is another reason that I chose this water container. After having used them for years, I can vouch for the fact that the food-grade plastic is thick and sturdy. No leaks.
Here are a few photos showing how the spout fastens to the inside of the cap, and how simple it is to switch it to the outside of the cap for use.
Water should be your number-one priority for prepping.
Note:
How To Purify Water
A Good Drinking Water Filter
Drinking Water Storage
Even if you live near a water source, you will still need to be able to collect and transport it to your home, and the containers for doing so. There are all sorts of good water containers to choose from, and this particular Reliance Aqua-Tainer is one of the many good choices that you might consider.
What do you currently use for potable water containers?
7 gallon and 5 gallon water jugs are both too heavy for me to lift. I have two 5 gallon jugs, which I filled half full, carried down to my basement and then made several trips up and down the stairs with one gallon jugs to finish filling them. If I need to empty them (use the water), I will have to tip the jug while one side is still on the floor and fill a smaller container. Then carry the smaller container back upstairs.
The rest of my water is stored in 2 liter bottles that used to hold diet pop. I continually add to these every time I empty a bottle of diet pop. I hope the plastic is safe for long term storage.
If you’ve never tried one, I find these to be worth their weight in gold!
Seville Classics Folding Hand Truck
I have the exact same ‘hand truck’ (bought it from Amazon) and have used it for several years now for various things…
Great for water, since water weighs 8 pounds per gallon.
Very nice containers Mr Ken! Just added them to my list this week.
p.s. I believe the correct weight of water is 8.344 lbs per gallon. It adds up quick.
God Save This Great Republic
You might consider checking Amazon – I bought a few hand pumps specifically made for the 5 gallon water jugs. Easier than trying to pour from the jugs!
Looks good but I found something similar on Emergency Essentials for much cheaper. Parents are in CA, if SHTF they’ll need water. Also bought them a few water bobs too.
Yes, I bought quite a few of the ones from EE a few at a time and when they are on sale. I also had these shipped to family members along with a Sawyer All in One water filter. I haven’t found a better price. They are too heavy for me to lift once filled, but necessity is the mother of invention. All the ladies figure out how to manage with these.
Walmart offers the Coleman 5-Gallon Water Carrier, model no. 5620B718G, for $9. Opt for in-store pickup to avoid the $5.97 shipping charge. (Home Depot charges the same via pickup; Amazon has it for Prime members only with free shipping.) That’s the lowest price we could find by $8. It features an on/off spigot.
The Coleman one was mentioned on a coupon blog today as being a good price. #interesting
@ Ken
A ? for you, it looks as the reversible spigot hole in the main lid has the hole completely through allowing “stuff” to accumulate into the back (water) side of the spigot when in storage mood. If so; do you place a small plug in the main lid when storing water (and the spigot is reversed) to prevent any buildup/contamination? Or do ya simple stick a hunk of Duct Tape over the hole?
NRP
@NRP, I don’t do anything… I figure if a little dirt / dust gets in there that the first squirt of water will self-clean when opening the spigot. Otherwise, gotta eat a little dirt once in awhile to keep the immune system busy 😉
I keep saying that every time I drop something on the kitchen floor!!!
…and then there’s the 3 second rule – or is it the 5 second rule?…hmmmm…
@ Ken and JJ
3 second, 5 second….. Around my house ya got to be faster than Blue if you want to recover that hunk of steak… LOL
NRP
I have never used these particular containers for a long-term storage, but in all my years of camping, these are what I’ve used, and I have come to like them very much – especially the reversible spigot. The only downside is that they are not insulated, so the water gets warm quite easily when outside (as is generally the case when camping). Inside they easily remain room temperature, much better than whatever the outside heat is.
For keeping that container cooler, wrap with wet towel and leave in wind – does a good job, though you have to wet that towel every couple of hours to keep it on the job. Keeping container out of direct sunlight goes a long way too.
I haven’t looked at one of these yet, but it appears the size would fit one of the ‘milk crate’ carriers just right. Just the thing for a rear bike rack.
We have both 5 gallon and 3 gallon water containers. The 5 gallon are too heavy for us to lift at this point, and even the 3 gallon are getting a little unwieldy. We are looking into 1 or 2 gallon sizes to use. I just haven’t found anything I like as of yet.
Yup, I have some of those, every so often I add one. I also like the reversible spigot. When I have emptied one, I just leave the spigot out to air dry, then assemble reversed for storage. They are heavy when full. I have an insulated, screw top, 5 gallon water container, bottom spigot that I fill prior to any pending storms, dump a little ice in there and keeps it below room temp. Used to take it camping, very durable.
The 5 gallon sceptre gi cans can be had used for $20. Durable, wide mouth and have the pour spout.
30 gallon drums could be had for 10/$100 in 2011/2012. I don’t know now what they cost and the only reason I’m not buying more(we have 20 bought in two trips) is the truck we have now is Ford Ranger.
We drove 175 miles to get these and total in the garage is 600 gallons of water–NOT to be moved any time soon.
I do use –as most here –every good plastic jug for storage in an unused bedroom.
On the topic of water, food and preparedness – Zero Hedge today has an article what happens when a country falls apart:
Venezuela’s “Death Spiral” – A Dozen Eggs Cost $150 As Hyperinflation Horrors Hit Socialist Utopia
The Reliance Aquatainers shown above are available in a 4 gallon size in addition to the 7 gallon size.
Thanks for the notice on the 4-gallon jug:
Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 4 Gallon Rigid Water Container
Sometimes the Lord is with me..Thank you Jesus.
Those $10 drums are now $50 each!!! 🙁
That 150 mile drive (300 round trip) was worth it even with broken toes, twice.
I have 6 of the 7 gallon Aqua-tainers. Bought them several years ago before heading up in the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico elk hunting. They are great jugs and pack well because of being square. If you are worried about contamination getting in the hole while the spigot is reversed, do like I do and put a cork in it while in the stored position.
A local farm supply store sells 230 gallon tanks set up with a outlet in the bottom which can be put on platform for ease in filling pitchers. They must be strapped to wall in garage, etc. There are also 55 gallon barrels from which water can be siphoned or pumped. They also are heavy but can be placed on dollys for ease in moving outside to change water as needed.
A water filter as advertised on this site is recommended for long term stored water. Some food processors sell 500 gallon totes which can be filled for use in flushing toilets on your SEPTIC system, may not work well on shut down sewer systems.
Because our public water system is screwed up we must filter all water for drinking or cooking.
I have 2 1/2 gallon size disposable containers with spouts, but normally use approx. 1 gallon coffemate containers with indented handle. Easy to clean, store, lift, stack, and easy to pour.
Have 9 of these containers along with 55-gallon drums. I like that they are square and stackable (only two high tho). Thinking I should get three more for an even dozen. And I like to be able to move them around the homestead and even throw one in the truck if I want. Good product.
I have a few of these, too. They are often cheaper in the store at Walmart than they are on-line at Walmart or at Amazon. It’s worth making the trip.
I have two of these containers and use them in my camper when working in remote places. My brother purchased two after seeing mine. They work great, I put it on my table and have instant, handy, available water. I love this sight because the items you recommend that I already have are proven products so I know you recommend only quality, workable products.
The local Organic bread company gives away FREE 55 Gal. steel drums that had honey. There is a little residual honey in them but I don’t think that will matter. I have 6 so far but 3 are 3/4 full because of freezing in winter. I want to see if they will burst?
Oldalaskan
Just make sure the honey does not start algae growing inside the containers come summer time. Sugars left in containers promote bacterial growth, add drops of bleach to the water after you clean them out. Great score on the containers, anything free for storage is $$ left in your pocket for more supplies.
Water expands roughly 9% when it freezes. One cubic foot of water holds 7.48 gallons. Thus, a 55 gallon drum at 75% capacity (41 gal.) will not burst. When it freezes it will expand roughly half a cubic foot.
41 gallons is about 5.5 cubic feet.
We have several of these same containers. They have come in handy a couple times during power outages and well pump issues. Peace of mind that we have a bunch of water set aside we don’t have to do anything other than carry them up from the basement. Beats carrying water from the creek!
I love the water bricks. Each containter holds 3.7 gallons and they are interlocking so you can stack them. The owner of the company takes any phone calls and was very helpful when i thought i had a leak. It was my own error, not a leak.
Tom over at CampingSurvival.com sells Water Bricks in case anyone is interested…
We use the standard 5 gal jugs and the crock on the wooden stand. We refill them for $1.25 at the Watermill. I did order one of the Reliance and will get more if they work out. We currently have seventeen of the 5 gal jugs. The lids don’t seem to last long.
Just got mine! Thanks!!
I’ve used these for years and never had a problem, but I don’t stack them on top of each other.
I’m surprized no one said anything about the Reliance 8 gallon water containers with wheels, and handle which makes moving them around much easier. I have two of those and two of the 7 gallon so far. I say so far because that’s only a 15 day supply for two people. I need to up it to 30-60 days minimum. Water is my biggest nightmare as running out would be a disaster. I have filters for bugging out that could be used for bugging in but my closest water supply is a mile away. If transport was out it would be a hard haul but the 8 gallon ones with wheels and handle should hold up for a few trips. I do have a few one gallon jugs set aside that are empty. I need to fill them up soon with the vibes I’ve been getting in reference to world issues……Time to get off my butt and get them filled.!
Thanks for pointing out that particular Reliance product. Wheels make things MUCH EASIER!
Reliance Products Hydroller 8 Gallon Wheeled Water Container