I religiously save my old Gatorade bottles, one quart or larger. They are pretty stout, but I haven't subjected them to the freeze-thaw cycles you will have in Nebraska.

Places like REI have purpose built water jugs which are much stronger. They are worth the expense. I have some of those, as well.

Probably don't need to use bleach if your water source is good, but boiling never hurts if there is any concern. I once had occasion to use water I had cached outdoors for a year (over a winter) at Canyon de Chelly (AZ) which did freeze and thaw several times. No problems at all.