How to store and handle drinking water safely
Treating water is only half the job — bad storage and handling can re-contaminate clean water. Learn how to choose containers, keep tanks and jars clean, and pour and serve water safely in a Nepali home.
Many families in Nepal boil or filter their water and still fall sick. The usual reason is recontamination: clean water gets dirty again because of the container it sits in, the cup that dips into it, or the unwashed hand that touches it. Water is also stored for long periods because of intermittent supply and load-shedding, giving germs time to multiply.
Safe storage and handling is a low-cost skill that protects your whole household. It matters most for the people most at risk — infants, elderly relatives, pregnant women and anyone already unwell.
This guide covers the everyday side of water safety: which containers to use, how to keep rooftop tanks and storage jars clean, and the simple habits that stop clean water from turning dirty between the tap and the glass.
Why clean water gets dirty again
Even perfectly treated water can become unsafe within hours if it is handled carelessly. The germs come from hands, cups, dippers (mug or lota), pets, flies, dust and dirty containers — not from the water itself.
The single biggest culprit is dipping into an open container: a hand or a cup that has touched a mouth, a baby's bottom, raw meat or money carries germs straight into your stored water. After that, every glass drawn from it is contaminated.
Choose the right storage container
The best storage container has a narrow mouth and a tight lid or a tap, so hands and cups never go inside. A wide, open bucket or uncovered gagri is the worst choice for drinking water.
Food-grade plastic, stainless steel or glazed clay are all fine. Clay (matka/ghaila) has the bonus of keeping water cool naturally, which is pleasant in the Terai heat — just keep it covered and clean it regularly.
- Prefer containers with a narrow neck and a lid, or a fitted tap at the bottom.
- Keep a separate, dedicated container only for treated drinking water — do not reuse it for kerosene, chemicals or anything else.
- Avoid storing drinking water in old oil, paint or chemical drums, even after washing.
- Use a long-handled ladle kept only for water if you must scoop — never bare hands or random cups.
Clean your containers and jars regularly
Storage containers, water jars and even the dispenser stand build up a slimy film (biofilm) inside that shelters germs. Rinsing is not enough — they need scrubbing.
- Empty the container fully before refilling; do not just top up old water with new.
- Scrub the inside with a clean brush and soap, paying attention to the neck, lid and tap.
- Rinse well, and once a week or so disinfect by swirling a weak chlorine solution (or a little household bleach diluted in water) inside, then rinse.
- Let it air-dry upside down before refilling if possible.
- Wipe the lid, tap and any pouring spout, since your hands and dust touch these most.
Keep rooftop tanks, sumps and drums clean
Most urban Nepali homes store water in a rooftop poly-tank or an underground sump fed by a tanker or municipal line. These are out of sight and easy to forget — but a cracked lid, a missing cover or accumulated sludge turns your whole supply unsafe, and during the monsoon dirty runoff and mosquitoes get in.
Clean and inspect tanks at least twice a year, and always after a flood or after the tank has run dry and been refilled from an unknown source. Keep tank lids fully closed and sealed so dust, leaves, lizards, birds and mosquitoes cannot enter.
- Make sure every tank, sump and drum has a tight, intact cover.
- Drain and scrub out sediment from the bottom of tanks and sumps periodically.
- Check for cracks and leaks where contaminated groundwater could seep in (a real risk for underground sumps in the monsoon).
- Remember: water from a rooftop or sump tank still needs treating before you drink it — tanks store water, they do not clean it.
Safe pouring and serving habits
The last few seconds — between the container and the mouth — are where a lot of contamination happens. Build simple habits so the whole family keeps water clean without thinking about it.
Teach children the rules too: do not put cups, fingers or shared bottles into the drinking-water container. For babies, treat the water, then make formula in a sterilised bottle and use it promptly.
- Pour from the container or use a tap — never tip cups or hands inside.
- Wash your hands before handling drinking water or serving it.
- Keep the container off the floor, away from the toilet area and rubbish, and out of direct sun.
- Do not store treated drinking water for many days; refill little and often so it does not stand and stagnate.
- Never store drinking water next to pesticides, cleaning chemicals or fuel.
Key takeaways
- ✓Recontamination — not the source — is why clean water often makes people sick at home.
- ✓Use a covered, narrow-mouthed container with a lid or tap so hands and cups never go inside.
- ✓Never dip hands or used cups into stored drinking water; pour or use a tap.
- ✓Empty, scrub and occasionally disinfect storage containers and jars — don't just top them up.
- ✓Keep rooftop tanks and underground sumps sealed and cleaned twice a year and after any flood.
- ✓Stored or tanked water still needs treating before drinking — storage does not clean water.
How to Store and Handle Drinking Water Safely at Home — FAQ
How often should I clean my rooftop water tank?+
At least twice a year as a routine, and immediately after a flood, after the tank has been refilled from an unknown tanker, or if you notice sediment, smell, algae or insects. Drain it, scrub out the sludge, disinfect, and make sure the lid seals tightly.
Is it safe to store drinking water in a clay pot (matka)?+
Yes, glazed clay is fine and keeps water cool, which is great in hot weather. Keep it covered with a lid, pour rather than dip, and wash it regularly to stop a slimy film building up inside. Treat the water before storing it.
Can I store treated and untreated water in the same container?+
No. Keep a dedicated container only for treated drinking water. Mixing, or refilling a drinking container with raw water, defeats the purpose. Use separate, clearly-known containers for raw water and for treated drinking water.
How long can I keep boiled water before it goes bad?+
Use boiled or filtered water within 1–2 days, kept covered. It can become unsafe sooner if you dip into it or store it dirty. Refill small amounts often rather than keeping a large stock standing for days.
There are mosquito larvae in my stored water — what should I do?+
Empty it, scrub the container, and always keep storage covered so mosquitoes cannot lay eggs. Open, uncovered water containers around the home are a major breeding site for dengue mosquitoes, so a tight lid protects against both stomach illness and dengue.
Sources & data note
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