Are IBC Totes Safe For Drinking Water

Evaluating the Safety of IBC Totes for Drinking Water

Intermediate bulk containers, also known as IBC totes, have emerged as a popular solution for storing water, including drinking water. However, questions often arise about their safety and suitability to provide water for human consumption. After thorough research and product evaluation, it is our evaluation that IBC totes can be safely used for storing drinking water, provided certain conditions and precautions are met.

Key Factors Ensuring Safety of IBC Totes for Drinking Water

• Food-Grade Material: It is crucial that IBC totes meant for drinking water are made from food-grade certified materials. In the United States, this will mean the IBC is made from FDA approved materials.
• ANSI/NSF 61 Approval: Drinking water IBCs should be ANSI/NSF 61 approved for potable water. This excludes reconditioned containers, which should not be used for potable water applications.
• New and Rebottled Totes Only: When being used to provide drinking water, IBC totes must be either new or rebottled quality only. For caged IBC totes, reconditioned totes are previously used and may contain residual materials, making them not approved for food contact and unsuitable for storing potable water.
• Proper Cleaning: Food-grade water IBC totes should still be thoroughly cleaned before first use to eliminate any potential residuals from manufacture.
• Water Rotation: To ensure the freshness of the water, it is recommended to be rotated at least every six months.

Benefits of Using IBC Totes for Drinking Water Storage

• Capacity: The caged IBC tote type that is often used for water can hold either 275 or 330 gallons, making them an efficient solution for storing large volumes of drinking water, long-term.
• Durability: Made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) within a protective cage, IBC totes are designed to withstand rigorous conditions, ensuring the water remains protected.
• Watertight Design: IBC totes are watertight, preventing leaks and losses when you need to transport your water.

IBC totes are a safe and practical solution to store, transport, and provide drinking water when they are handled correctly and when the right IBC is used. By choosing food-grade, ANSI/NSF 61 certified IBC totes, you can be confident in using IBC totes for drinking water storage.