I have learned my lesson Susan, and I solemnly promise never, EVER to do that again!

Thanks for all your suggestions for storage. Another answer may be as close as my fridge. I realized today that the fruit and vegetable juices I drink come in very thick plastic 2-liter bottles, easy to clean out, and some are rectangular, making for efficient storage.

We use Polycarbonate exclusively for water. Much tougher than the throwaway jugs that milk and juice come in. I used to reuse Arrowhead bottles, but I'm a convert, polycarbonate is the way to go. Water tastes better too. $.02

There has been a lot of discussion here in the past re the re-using of plastic bottles, complete with many references from "experts," saying how the plastic deteriorates over time, etc. You might do some searching for that...

I think the 'final word' (well, as of this moment in time) on the deterioration of reusing bottles was what they were exposed to.

If they contained or were cleaned with harsh chemicals that degraded the inner surface of the bottles, leaching problems could result.

And if they are exposed to sunlight, deterioration also happens, esp due to the UV exposure.

But normal, clean bottles of the clear type, which have more tensile strength than the milky ones, are fine for use and reuse.

For instance: http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/petbottles.asp

Sue