The Best 5-Gallon Water Jugs
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The Best 5-Gallon Water Jugs

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Today it’s all about the best 5-gallon water jugs you may want to consider buying. Would you like to start storing as much water as possible in your home? Keeping water available is an everyday activity for most of us who want to make sure we’re prepared for anything that could happen.

You never know when an emergency will occur and you find you have limited access to a fresh supply of water. If you start collecting water now, you won’t need to worry about running out at a time when you’ll need it. Please fill your containers with a lead-free hose to protect your family from one of the heavy metals. Camco Lead-Free/BPA-Free 5/8 inch Hose

However, knowing how to store the water properly is a must. Please remember to keep your water containers off the ground or concrete. I use 2 by 4’s spaced evenly to keep my water up and off the ground so the water is as safe as possible from chemicals that may leach from the ground surface into my containers.

In case you missed this post, How To Store Water-Pros And Cons. I recommend this Water Preserver (unavailable now) so you only have to rotate the water every 5 years. If you decide to use unscented bleach to preserve your water, you would be wise to rotate the water every six months.

I’m writing about 5-gallon jugs today since that is one storage option we can all consider. Yes, you may want to invest in a cart to haul the water from one location to another, and having a water cooler, handy water dispenser, or just a way to get the jugs high enough to pour out some contents, all take planning.

The Best 5-Gallon Water Jugs

The Best 5-Gallon Water Jugs

In the past, people have used old one-gallon milk jugs to store water for later use, but this isn’t the best solution. Unfortunately, those containers break easily, ultimately leading to wasted water. It’s also hard to find sufficient storage space with dozens, if not hundreds, of storage containers. If you don’t want that to happen, shop around for 5-gallon water jugs that are durable and sturdy.

Some people may ask why it’s so important to store water at home since just about every family has water available from the taps located in kitchens, bathrooms, and even outside. If you’ve read any of my posts relating to water storage, you’ve learned you can’t rely on fresh, clean, and safe water from those taps, even in the best of times.

If you Google Flint, Michigan some of the first links will be to the history of their culinary water problems. We all take clean water for granted, but things can change in a hurry during a disaster or general emergency situation since unwanted contaminants, like minerals, chemicals, bacteria, germs, dirt, viruses, and more seep into water systems and well water sources.

Proper hydration is critical for survival and that takes purified water from reliable sources. We need water to cook most of our food, clean our clothes, and provide a minimal level of personal hygiene to stay healthy. I suggest every family have four gallons of water per person per day to support those uses of this critical resource. You can possibly get by with less, but it would really be a struggle.

Mark and I have used 55-gallon containers stored on pallets on the side of our home. We also have 160 and 250-gallon tanks in our garage. These have been great for higher volume storage options, but not everyone has the space or financial resources to accommodate these options. That’s why the 5-gallon approach is so good, whether as 5-gallon jugs or 5-gallon bottles, you get the same storage capacity and overall benefits from both.

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The proper water jugs will extend the shelf life of your water for lengthier periods of time. If you’re not sure which water jugs to choose, check out this list of the best 5-gallon water jugs available.

1. Saratoga Farms 5-Gallon Stackables

When storing water and saving space are your priorities, the Saratoga Farms 5-Gallon Stackables are a must-have. These water jugs hold a lot of water and are easy to stack on top of one another, allowing you to make use of smaller spaces. Suppose you don’t have a lot of room in the basement or attic for water storage. No worries, because these stackables are as convenient as it gets. 

Durable and Safer for Your Drinking Water 

Besides stacking them with ease, they’re durable containers made with high-quality, food-grade plastic that isn’t toxic or harmful. As a result, you don’t need to worry about the plastic contaminating the water that you may end up using and drinking in an emergency. If great-tasting and reliable water is your goal, this is one good container option.

2. Brio-BPA-Free Reusable Plastic Water Bottle Jug Container

Keep things simple and store plenty of water with the Brio BPA-Free Reusable Plastic Water Bottle Jug Container. These jugs are available in a natural blue color. They don’t contain any toxins that could contaminate your water, leaving them fresh and safe for you to use for personal hygiene purposes.

It’s also safe to drink the water stored in these containers as long as the water you put in them has come from a reliable source, or you’ve put the water through a carbon filtration process. These specific jug containers come with convenient features that make them a top choice for preppers. They come equipped with a crown top that prevents leaks. 

It Has an Attached Handle for Easy Transport 

The last thing you want is to have your water leaking from any of the containers because then it’s wasted and can cause a real mess. The attached handle makes it easy to transport these large containers when you need to use them. Most importantly, you won’t need any single-use plastic products when using reusable plastic water bottle jug containers.

3. Scepter Lightweight BPA 5-Gallon

When you’d like something lightweight, spacious, and compact enough to fit in even the tightest of spaces, the Specter Lightweight BPA 5-Gallon Container is an excellent option. It’s made with food-grade plastic and is easy to carry around from one place to the next.

If you don’t want to end up lugging heavy containers to the basement and back up those basement stairs again, this is the perfect water jug to buy. It’s known for its sleek appearance and universal fit. 

BPA-free

It’s BPA-free, so you won’t have to worry about using anything that could harm you in the process of storing water. These water containers are ideal when you’re storing water on shelving units and trying to save as much space as possible. You’ll love the way they fit with ease into smaller spots. Save water without all the stress using Scepter’s convenient water jug containers.

4. BILLET4X4 Scepter 5-Gallon

Although it may closely resemble a gas can, the BILLET4x4 Scepter 5 Gallon is another incredible water jug worth considering when you’re saving and storing water for emergencies. It’s available in blue plastic material with a convenient plastic straw attached to it.

It’s the perfect water jug to take with you when you’re on the go and want to make sure you have access to plenty of water wherever you’re headed. It’s a lightweight container made with high-quality plastic that doesn’t get crushed or damaged easily. 

Sturdy and Reliable 

It’s an unbreakable product that won’t get rusty or deteriorate over time. It’s worth the investment when you want to make sure you have something sturdy and reliable to hold as much water as you feel may be needed. Not only is it perfect for preppers, but also for anyone planning a hiking and camping trip where they’ll go off the grid for a few days or weeks and want good water at their base camp.

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5. Ability One 5-Gallon Plastic Water Jugs

The Ability One brand makes a water jug that looks a lot like the Scepter brand. The Ability One 5-Gallon Plastic Water Jug is available in two different colors, desert sand, and forest green. It’s lightweight, compact, and great for traveling or storage purposes. Whether you want to keep a stockpile of water at home or take a large amount of water with you on an off-grid adventure, this is an excellent water jug to buy. 

A Waterjug that’s Leakproof

It’s made with durable, rugged plastic commonly used by military members. It has a convenient handle attached to it that makes transporting the water jug simple and stress-free. It’s easy to fill with water and should last you a lifetime with no problems. If you want to make sure water isn’t leaking, this is an excellent jug to have because it’s leakproof.

Some things to consider as part of your water container storage plan are where to source the water to fill the containers, and that leads us to how to properly prepare the water before you fill them. The prep stage can affect not only the safety of the water but also if the water is great tasting water with no strange colors or odors.

Mark and I have had reverse osmosis systems in our last two homes. Yes, it does require some installation, but I always felt safe drinking, cooking, and using the water for other chores. I’m a real fussbudget, so having water that compliments the benefits of chlorine by eliminating the spread of germs, reducing mineral content, and making the water taste more like spring water is important to me.

I wasn’t aware of it, but there are a number of companies that specialize in water delivery services. Most of these companies rely on 5-gallon containers when they deliver the water. They also sell or rent not only the containers but also the dispensing equipment to make easy access to the delivered water as easy as possible.

One of these companies is Culligan. I knew they delivered the tanks used in many households to soften their water, but was glad to hear that my readers can call on them, or others, to make deliveries as convenient as can be. Companies like Culligan base their success on quality products, but also on customer service. Some things to consider when choosing a water delivery service would include, but not be limited to:

  • How often do they deliver in your area?
  • How easy is it to schedule the deliveries?
  • Can you rely on the delivery date and time being met as promised?
  • Will the water be pure water that’s been filtered as you would expect, without any bad taste or odors?
  • Do they have any special promotions that make their company more attractive?
  • Are their employees insured and bonded since in many cases they will be in your home making the deliveries?

Final Word

When you’re searching for 5- gallon water jugs that you can use to store water, you’re likely hoping to find containers that won’t leak or quickly end up damaged when placed and then held in your favorite storage area. Many of these options are lightweight, compact, and easy to travel with when you want to bring water along on a trip.

Remember that any glass containers you may be considering have some weight and breakage issues to deal with. If you have kids around that can be a concern. That’s why I’ve stuck with strong and reliable plastic containers for my water storage needs.

Before buying any of these containers, consider your reasons for storing the water and how much space you have available. You can then select the perfect water containers to buy out of these five high-quality water jugs available on Amazon at incredible prices. May God Bless this world, Linda

Copyright Images: Large Water JugAdobeStock_325731161 by klepach

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27 Comments

  1. Linda, a quick note to let you know the link you posted to Saratoga Farms 5-Gallon Stackables led to 30-100 gallon containers only. No 5-gallon jugs on the site.

    1. Hi Ray, it’s weird, thank you for letting me know about the link. I read the reviews and one guy said “the pictures says 20-gallon), it’s not 20 gallons. It’s four 5-gallon jugs. The Amazon description is weird. They do not sell 20-gallon ones. Now, I see that they ONLY sell 5-gallons containers. Thanks again, Linda

      1. Those morons at Amazon should clearly list in their product description that people are buying four 5-gallon containers. Their poor description is causing confusion if folks read the reviews–one woman thought she was buying 20 containers for her $80.

        The way their current description reads, it looks like you are only getting two containers for $80. Weird.

        They do look like very good containers though. I mostly use 50 gallon barrels and rotate the water in them every six months or so–by draining them into my gardens, then refilling them with a food grade hose. But having 5-gallon units makes more sense–especially for anyone with space limitations.

        1. Hi Ray, I know, right? I had to keep looking at the Amazon description. Crazy! I think for some people getting 5-gallon containers makes more sense and they are a lot cheaper. You could buy 4 a month, fill them and stack them. Great reminder about the lead-free hose. I’m going to put that on the post. Thanks my friend, Linda

  2. I repurpose empty vinegar bottles. I use a lot of vinegar since our water is so hard. The bottles are rectangular and easy
    to lift when filled with water.

  3. I use containers similar to the Sceptre 5 gallon jugs but I mostly use the 2.5 gallon size. I stack the smaller ones on top of the larger and as I age I find it easier to handle the smaller size. Back when I used to haul water up from a lake or creeks I could carry a full 5 gallon jug in each hand no problem. Then years later I could only carry one, then it was 2 of the smaller ones, now I’m best with just one small one at a time. It’s also easier to find storage spots for the smaller jugs.

    1. Hi Alice, I have to agree with you on the weight of the water jugs. I can handle the 3.5 gallons but only for a short distance. I would love some 2.5-gallon ones. As I age, my strength is not what it used to be. I can’t imagine hauling water, hopefully, I will have enough in my home. Great comment, Linda

  4. I love the military jugs. You can use the smaller caps on the big cap to make a hand wash station as well.

    1. To add my military type jugs you’ve got listed are now 32 years old and still in perfect shape. They are refilled annually. I have one that travels and is used constantly.
      These are a good investment

  5. I’ve filled several shelves/rows of water in my Tropicana Orange Juice carafes. They have flat fronts/backs and stack nicely together. Also, they’re heavy grade plastic and don’t seem to degrade (so far after years) and/or fall apart. Our pipes can freeze in the winter here no matter how hard we try to not let that happen. I’ve always got water in the kitchen for cooking/cleaning and in the bathrooms for washing/flushing. These containers store nicely and are lightweight enough to tote around.

    Linda, where is your link for the water bricks you’ve talked about? I would going to look into getting some of those.

  6. I used to fill up 5-gallon bottles at either Walmart or Smith’s (our tap water is ok, just not for long term storage). I got tired of having to clean them out to prevent mold, so I just get prefilled bottles (Primo) and exchange them when empty. More expensive, but at 71 I just don’t want to deal.

  7. It is a good article, the price of the water storage for most people are not doable. People are having enough issues getting food and gas for their cars. Can we take a look at other low cost methods of storing water.

    1. Hi Rebecca, I have several ideas on storing water on my website. Some people can’t lift 5-gallon water jugs. I will try and repost those ideas. Great comment, Linda

    2. I put water in any glass jar as I empty them…..pickle, juice jug, glass veggie jar, peanut and other snack jars, etc all washed out well. Since we have no attic or basement, I put the filled jars in plastic totes on the back side of our house. If you have a shed that would be ideal….I am in NE GA so winter is not real cold and jars won’t break if you leave a little head space on top. Buying water jugs can get very costly.

  8. We purchased several 5 gallon jugs from Walmart.com (I was going to include a link, but the price hike has made them not a great deal).

    We have a water cooler, we use constantly. We rotate the jugs that way and refill them at Walmart. We used to have them delivered until we retired, and had time to fill them ourselves.

  9. I was just watching a video and the guy had those very first jugs from Saratoga Farms. I like those because the squared shape makes them easier to handle and are more space efficient. The ability to stack them means no framing or shelves are required as is prudent or necessary with the round jugs which people often rest on their sides or stand flat on heavy duty shelves.

    My advice to anyone is to try and buy sturdy bottles or jugs. Water Bricks are nice too, but as you stated Linda, sometimes we can’t afford certain items. When we purchased water in the gallon jugs those jugs lasted maybe 2 years before they developed cracks or a tiny hole in that area where they ended up breaking. But the thicker plastic like the cube shaped container with the reversible spigot is still intact and functional.

    We still have an office type water fountain or water cooler and so we have a few of those 5 gallon jugs, which actually can hold 6 gallons if filled up to the top, but they do require some muscle to lift, flip over onto the fountain and to transport in and out of your vehicle. We do have just one with a handle and that really helps. Those jugs are sturdy and they certainly do the job, but having a handle is better if you have to move it around a lot.

    Good article. It seems like a small thing, maybe not exciting, but water is extremely important and the best preppers think about things which might be the difference between failure resulting in discomfort or death and being comfortable, healthy and safe.

  10. I thought water had to be stored in a temperature controlled place to thwart bacteria, etc… How are people storing it safely “ on the side of their house” or “ outback in the shed” ? I was questioning if even the garage would be safe.

    1. Hi Maria, this is a great question. It does not have to be stored in a temperature controlled place. Food does need to be stored in a temperature controlled place, not a garage or outside. I will send you a link on how I stored water in my Southern Utah house. I always store the water off the concrete or soil with pallets or 2 by 4 pieces of wood. https://www.foodstoragemoms.com/how-to-store-water-pros-and-cons/ I hope this helps, I have many articles on how to store water. Linda

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