Canned water

Canned water is drinking water, including spring water, artesian spring water purified water, carbonated water and mineral water, packaged in beverage cans made of aluminum or tin-plated steel.[1]

Individual serving aluminum cans and bottles are less common alternatives to bottled water. Canned water is often used where storage or distribution systems are set up for cans. Some companies have launched water in cans, offering a more environmentally sustainable alternative to plastic bottles.

A non-exhaustive list of companies offering aluminum canned water include: Wallaby Water, [2] Reign Water Company[3], Open Water[4], Free Water, Canned Water for Kids[5], Blue Can Water. These companies offer canned water as a replacement to traditional plastic bottled water.

Cans of various sizes are also used for storage of potable water for emergency preparedness. Water is an important part of individual or government stockpiles. Water was stored in steel cans, lined with plastic bags, under the United States Civil Defense program. Approximately twelve million 17.5-US-gallon (66 L) cans were deployed, and could hold water for more than ten years.[6]

Later, some manufacturers started to use a nitrogen flush to remove air and bacteria from their cans to prolong shelf life to 30 years or longer, making the water suitable for long-term storage.

Reign Water Company canned spring water. 16oz canned resealable aluminum bottled water

Top of a can of carbonated mineral water

Large can of still water with other survival supplies

Open Water canned water

The effects of plastic bottled water on the environment are catastrophic. It is estimated that only about 9% of all plastic is recycled. About 79% of this plastic waste is ending up in landfills and polluting the lands and oceans.[7] In contrast, >65% of all aluminum cans are recycled, making aluminum cans the most recycled beverage container on the planet.[8] Due to the detrimental impact of plastic on the environment, many manufacturers are turning towards aluminum cans and bottles as a more viable solution to package drinking water.