We are all too familiar with convenient bottled water that can be taken on the go. However, the Russians once had a type of canned water that looks just like canned meat.
Why Canned Water?
“Do not drink on the first day. Stock up and drink rainwater, filling all available containers with rainwater. Use canned water for emergencies,” reads the label on the can. “To access the water, use a tool to punch two holes in the lid. The opener is stored in the container, in the supply bag.”
These are the instructions on a water container produced by Russians, a unique and rare product that actually exists.
We are used to convenient bottled water that we can carry to quench our thirst. But this type of water is packaged in cans just like common canned foods.
Why is water canned instead of bottled? What is special about this canned water?
You won’t find this water in convenience stores, as it is reserved for sailors on ships or submarines.
Canned water is typically boiled, cooled, and then mixed with ascorbic acid.
Ships always have a reserve of drinking water sufficient for a certain number of days, but these cans of water are strictly used for emergency situations (for instance, in case of a shipwreck) and are considered an untouchable reserve.
Canned water is usually boiled, cooled (some sources suggest it is spring water), and then mixed with ascorbic acid. It is stored in cans with a capacity of about 240 or 250 ml (1 cup). The daily ration is 1/2 liter per person. This water can be stored for two years.
The explanation for why water is canned is quite simple. Water in plastic bottles can be damaged by ultraviolet rays; bottles can easily shatter or become damaged. Glass bottles are heavy and require more space. Meanwhile, cans are airtight and more compact.
There is no precise information about when these cans of water were first produced, but government regulations regarding the product were first introduced in 1962, before being updated in 1980.
Canned water was produced until the early 1990s. And the Russians were not alone; American sailors also had their own canned water.
What Does Canned Water Taste Like?
Today, you can no longer have the chance to drink canned water from the Soviet era; however, those who tasted it during their military service have shared their impressions online.
“I tried one of those cans from the emergency kit. The kit also included a logbook for shipwreck survivors and a chemical pencil,” one person shared.
“I also tried it while repairing a bomb shelter at work, finding a case of 20 cans there. The taste of the canned water was very unique,” another person said.
“When I served in the military, I had the opportunity to drink this water. It looked like distilled water, completely tasteless, but it was useful,” another person added.
Today, sailors on ships and submarines still need a supply of emergency drinking water, but the type of canned water from before is no longer available.
Nowadays, water is produced in lightweight multi-layer paper bags. Each bag contains 100 ml of water. The package can be stored at temperatures ranging from -35°C to 65°C for 5 years. The daily ration remains unchanged – 1/2 liter (5 bags) per person, and of course, it is still advised not to drink it on the first day.
Emergency water is also sold in online stores and is often purchased by hikers. It costs twice as much as regular bottled water.
