Quick Answer
24 standard 16.9 ounce water bottles contain about 4 gallons of water total. Each water bottle contains 16.9 ounces or 0.17 gallons. With 24 bottles, that comes out to 24 * 0.17 gallons = 4.08 gallons. So 24 bottles of the typical single-serve water bottles contain about 4 gallons of water.
Calculating Gallons in 24 Water Bottles
To calculate how many total gallons are in 24 water bottles, we first need to know how big each individual water bottle is. The most common size for a single-serve bottled water in the U.S. is 16.9 fluid ounces. This is equal to half a liter.
Knowing that each bottle contains 16.9 ounces of water, we can calculate the number of gallons by converting ounces to gallons. There are 128 ounces in a gallon.
To convert ounces to gallons:
Ounces / 128 ounces per gallon = Gallons
For a 16.9 oz water bottle:
16.9 oz / 128 oz/gallon = 0.17 gallons
So each 16.9 ounce water bottle contains 0.17 gallons of water.
Now we can calculate the total gallons of water in 24 bottles:
24 bottles x 0.17 gallons per bottle = 4.08 gallons
Therefore, 24 standard 16.9 ounce water bottles contain a total of 4.08 gallons of water.
Converting Ounces to Gallons
Here is a summary of the conversions used:
– 1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces
– 1 fluid ounce = 0.0078125 gallons
– 16.9 fluid ounces = 0.17 gallons (16.9 / 128)
To convert any number of fluid ounces to gallons:
1) Divide fluid ounces by 128 ounces per gallon
2) The result is the number of gallons
Some examples:
– 64 oz / 128 oz/gallon = 0.5 gallons
– 80 oz / 128 oz/gallon = 0.625 gallons
– 100 oz / 128 oz/gallon = 0.78125 gallons
So for any number of fluid ounces, you can divide by 128 to get the equivalent number of gallons. This conversion method works for any size or number of water bottles.
Typical Water Bottle Sizes
While 16.9 ounces is the most standard water bottle size, there are some other common sizes:
– 12 oz bottle – 0.09 gallons
– 20 oz bottle – 0.15 gallons
– 24 oz bottle – 0.18 gallons
– 32 oz bottle – 0.25 gallons
– 1 liter (33.8 oz) bottle – 0.26 gallons
– 1.5 liter (50.7 oz) bottle – 0.39 gallons
– 2 liter (67.6 oz) bottle – 0.53 gallons
Knowing the size of each bottle, you can calculate the total gallons for any number of bottles by multiplying bottles by gallons per bottle, just like with the 16.9 oz size.
Calculating Gallons in Other Container Sizes
The same method for converting ounces to gallons can be used for containers other than water bottles.
Common container sizes include:
– 12 oz can – 0.09 gallons
– 16 oz pint – 0.125 gallons
– 20 oz bottle – 0.15 gallons
– 24 oz can – 0.18 gallons
– 32 oz quart – 0.25 gallons
– 64 oz half gallon – 0.5 gallons
– Gallon jug – 1 gallon
– 2 liter soda bottle – 0.53 gallons
– 5 gallon jug – 5 gallons
For any container size in fluid ounces, divide by 128 to get the number of gallons. Then multiply gallons per container by the number of containers for the total gallons.
Metric Conversions
The gallons in water bottles can also be calculated using metric conversions:
– 1 liter = 33.8 fluid ounces
– 1 liter = 0.264 gallons
– 1 milliliter = 0.000264 gallons
Some examples:
– 500 ml bottle = 0.132 gallons
– 1 liter bottle = 0.264 gallons
– 1.5 liter bottle = 0.396 gallons
– 2 liter bottle = 0.528 gallons
Metric conversions provide an alternative method for calculating gallons in water bottles and other container sizes.
How Many Days Will 24 Bottles Last?
Based on the 4 gallons calculated for 24 typical 16.9oz water bottles, we can estimate how many days this would last a single person:
– Recommended daily water intake is 0.5 gallons per day
– 4 gallons in 24 bottles / 0.5 gallons per day = 8 days
So 24 bottles would provide enough water for a single person to drink 0.5 gallons per day for 8 days.
For a family of 4 people, assuming 0.5 gallons per person:
– Water needed per day: 4 people x 0.5 gallons = 2 gallons
– 4 gallons in 24 bottles / 2 gallons per day = 2 days
For a family of 4 drinking the recommended daily amount of water, 24 bottles would last approximately 2 days.
This provides an estimate of how long 24 bottles of water would last based on average daily water consumption. The actual duration depends on factors like individual water needs, climate, and physical activity level.
Cost Savings of Bottled vs Tap Water
One reason people may choose bottled water is the perception that it is higher quality than tap water. However, tap water in most developed countries is very tightly regulated for safety and purity. In blind taste tests, people often cannot tell the difference between bottled water and tap water.
Bottled water is also much more expensive than tap water:
– 24 pack of 16.9oz bottles: $5
– 1 gallon tap water: Less than $0.01
With 4 gallons in 24 bottles, the bottled water costs nearly $5 for the equivalent of $0.04 of tap water. That’s a price difference of over 10,000%!
Even high quality water filtration systems are very affordable compared to bottled water:
– Pitcher filter: $20 for 40 gallons = $0.50 per gallon
– Faucet mount system: $150 for 365 gallons = $0.41 per gallon
– Under sink system: $280 for 1,000 gallons = $0.28 per gallon
Over the long run, installing a water filtration system provides cleaner, safer water at a fraction of the cost of bottled water. Going with tap water and a filter is far more economical and environmentally sustainable than bottled water.
Environmental Impact of Bottled Water
In addition to the huge cost difference, there is a major environmental impact of bottled water as compared to tap water:
– U.S. landfills receive over 30 billion plastic water bottles per year
– Only about 20% of plastic bottles are recycled
– It takes over 3 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water
– Bottled water generates over 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide per year
Plastic water bottles have a number of negative environmental impacts:
– Oil and energy required for plastic production
– Emissions from bottle manufacturing and transportation
– Plastic waste going into landfills and oceans
– Microplastics contaminating water and food chains
Considering the minimal benefits of bottled water compared to tap water, along with the environmental impact, bottled water is hard to justify for regular use. The best option is to drink tap water and use refillable bottles or a reusable water filter.
Water Quality Standards
Bottled water and tap water are both highly regulated for safety and purity. Here are some of the standards they must meet:
Tap water standards:
– Set by EPA under Safe Drinking Water Act
– Limit over 90 contaminants
– Require disinfection and frequent testing
Bottled water standards:
– Set by FDA
– Based on EPA tap water standards
– Limit over 70 contaminants
– Require disinfection and testing
Purified and spring bottled waters must meet purity guidelines for chemical, physical, microbial, and radiological contaminants. Tap water is similarly regulated and must provide detailed public quality reports.
Both tap water and bottled water are very safe options in most developed countries. Bottled water goes through additional filtration and disinfection, but in blind taste tests people often cannot tell a significant taste difference from tap water.
Most Popular Bottled Water Brands
Here are some of the top selling bottled water brands in the U.S. along with their typical bottle sizes:
| Brand | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Dasani | 20 oz, 1 liter |
| Aquafina | 16.9 oz, 24 oz |
| Poland Spring | 16.9 oz, 1 liter |
| Nestle Pure Life | 16.9 oz, 24 oz |
| Smartwater | 20 oz, 1 liter |
| Deer Park | 16.9 oz, 1 liter |
| Ozarka | 16.9 oz, 20 oz |
| Glaceau Vitamin Water | 20 oz |
Dasani and Aquafina, made by Coke and Pepsi respectively, are the top selling brands. Regional brands like Poland Spring and Deer Park also have significant market share in certain areas of the country.
Knowing the typical bottle sizes for popular brands allows you to calculate total gallons for any number of bottles. The most common single serve sizes are 16.9oz and 20oz.
Refilling Single Use Bottles
Refilling disposable plastic water bottles is not recommended for regular use, for a few reasons:
– Bottles degrade over time, especially with repeated washing and use
– Plastic can leach chemicals into the water with exposure to heat or sunlight
– Bacteria can build up over time in used bottles
– Recycling single-use bottles is better for the environment
For regular drinking water, reusable bottles are the best option. Stainless steel or BPA-free plastic bottles are durable, safe choices. Glass bottles are also safe but heavier and can break.
Disposable water bottles are convenient for emergencies or short-term use. But for daily water consumption, reusable bottles are better for your health and the environment.
Storing Emergency Water Supplies
For emergency water storage, here are some guidelines:
– Store in a cool, shaded area to prevent algae growth
– Use opaque bottles or jugs to limit light exposure
– Seal containers tightly to avoid leaks or evaporation
– Replace supplies every 6 months for freshness
– Add 16 drops bleach per gallon to disinfect
– Rotate supplies – first in, first out
Stored water should not be exposed to heat or sunlight over time. Keep emergency water in a basement, closet, or pantry if possible. Refresh supplies frequently for best quality and taste.
Bottled water can be part of an emergency supply kit along with tapped water in clean jugs. Have at least 1 gallon per person per day for emergency preparedness.
Conclusion
To summarize, 24 standard 16.9 ounce water bottles contain a total of about 4 gallons of water. By converting fluid ounces to gallons, you can calculate the total gallons for any number of water bottles or containers. While bottled water has some advantages for emergencies and short-term use, tap water is generally the far cheaper and more sustainable option for regular drinking. Reusable bottles combined with water filtration provide safe, affordable water with minimal environmental impact.
