Here's Why Water In Plastic Bottles Comes With An Expiry Date

Water is one of the most essential things for human beings. The human body needs water for its day-to-day survival. Our body may not be able to survive for a whole week, but it can’t live without water for even three days. The human body itself comprises 70 per cent water, which helps the body function properly. Despite water’s vast abundance, it is very limited and there is a lot of scarcity of water as well. This is mainly because the earth has only 1.2 per cent of the water that is drinkable, rest is locked up in glaciers and ice caps. Now, a question has been trending on social media regarding water. Why does the water in plastic bottles expire while the water in lakes and ponds does not? So, let’s take a look at the answer:

According to a report, the expiration date is written on bottled water and it is two years beyond the date of packing. While the water that comes from taps and rivers never expires because it is a chemical compound and not a biological substance, It contains hydrogen and oxygen molecules, which do not change with time. It has been found that water from lakes and rivers may contain impurities, which can spoil over time. These impurities may include bacteria, viruses and chemicals. This water has antibacterial properties that prevent the growth of bacteria and viruses. Scientists believe that bottles have plastics dissolved in them after a certain time. Hence, it becomes unfit for drinking after its expiration date. As a result, the expiration date on water bottles is not for the water but for the bottle, as plastic bottles can break down over time and release chemicals into the water.

As per the reports of the Harvard School of Public Research, tap water can be kept and used for six months. It is only the carbonated tap water whose taste changes gradually because the gas is slowly released from it. After the carbon dioxide present in the air mixes with water, it becomes slightly acidic. If the water is kept in the containers in a cool, dry and dark place for six months, the taste of the water will never change.