Does Bottled Water Go Bad?

The water inside a sealed bottle does not spoil the way milk or juice does. But bottled water can still change in quality over time. Plastic packaging can be affected by heat, sunlight, storage conditions, and age. That is one reason you should avoid leaving bottled water in extremely hot environments for long periods.

Once a bottle has been opened, microorganisms can also enter from your mouth, hands, or surrounding environment. So when people ask whether bottled water “goes bad,” the more accurate answer is: The water itself is very stable, but the packaging and storage conditions matter.

Take the Bottle Out of Bottled Water

If your concern is plastic packaging rather than water itself, there is another option: canned water. Aluminum cans provide portable packaged water without relying on a traditional plastic bottle. That is the approach mainelove takes—water you can throw in a cooler, refrigerator, backpack, or cup holder without adding another plastic bottle to the pile.