How long does water last?
Water keeps indefinitely in the pantry. Times are USDA FoodKeeper quality guidelines from the point of purchase unless noted.
Keeps indefinitely
from purchase
Water will store indefinitely, though the taste may be impacted by storage conditions, including sunlight, items stored around it and the containers being used to store it.
No guideline
No guideline
How to tell water has gone bad
General signs for beverages, the group USDA lists water under.
- Fizzy drinks that have gone flat or taste metallic
- Sour or curdled smell from opened juice or milk alternatives
- Cloudiness or separation that will not shake back together
- Cork pushed slightly out or wine that smells like vinegar
- Mould ring forming at the neck of a bottle or carton
More on beverages. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Refrigerate opened juice, milk alternatives and any dairy-based drinks, and use them within about a week. Store unopened cans and bottles upright in a cool, dark spot away from direct sunlight. Keep coffee and tea in airtight containers away from heat and moisture to preserve flavour longer.
More in beverages
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). Times assume a fridge at 40 F (4 C) and a freezer at 0 F (-18 C). How we decode the data.