several friends uses the water cooler carboys like Izzy commented... one uses the cooler stand/dispenser, and one has his just for emergency water, and uses a hand pump to dispense water from sitting carboy

I would return it, and among other considerations look for a design that won't stress handles or joints or seams when you move the container. I did have an issue with 2 blue jugs leaking several years ago, although I have no idea if its related to your experience. But consider - 6 gallons of water weighs 48 pounds. Ever time you pick up a full container, you're putting 48 lbs of pressure on the handle, seams etc. My blue jugs failed along seams running down and under. I like this 5 gallon design better than the blue jugs, and have had no water storage issues. I think I own 6 of them right now. Solid construction for the plastic age. http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_WS%20J100_A_name_E_5%20Gallon%20Water%20Jug.

That said, I also have (plastic) barrels full of water, 15 30 and 55 gallons. I move those on a hand truck and dump them in the yard and refill every year or two. The 5 gallon jugs I rotate on the same schedule. Between them I have water intended to stay in place, and other water I might take and go. Even a 15 gallon barrel I might move, if there's time to load it in my car.

Return it.

I just filled up 2 5-gal jerry cans (8 ml of bleach in the 5 gallons, and boy does it smell strong!) about 2 weeks ago. My wife is telling me I'm insane.

For about $18 you could buy some of the LCI 5-gallon USGI-type watercans. Much more robust.

I've read (and I don't know where) that tap water from a public utility requires no additional treatment, as it is already treated with chlorine-dioxide by the utility. I've also read that unopened, commercially-bottled water should be capable of being stored at least two years.

I've stored my own water before from the utility for more than 6 months with no ill effects. But the containers are expensive, rotation is a chore that needs to be remembered, and I don't really like the chlorine taste of our tap water.

These days I just buy 2.5 gallon pre-filled containers of spring water. We use the stuff anyway, going through as much as 10 gallons a week, so its no problem rotating even a large supply every 12 months. I don't think you could buy twenty 5-gallon empty containers for the $100 I pay for them full. The size and weight is more convenient to carry and store than 5-gallon or larger containers.

I've also left some at a camping lodge for weeks in the winter so they experienced freeze-thaw cycles, and they held up without leaking.

Clean tap water or bottled water should keep indefinitely if you keep it away from light. Bottled water might taste a bit plasticky after a few years, and the bottles themselves might start to break down after a few more years.

Virtually all the water containers of this ilk that I have purchased have failed in one way or another, typically in rather light service. I have had much better luck with recycled beverage containers, and at minimal cost.

Hi Krista, I've used Reliance brand aquatainers with great success for a long time. Hopefully yours is a rare QC problem. I'd return/exchange them for sure.

If it's economical to do so, I'd return it. Check out all the other one of the model and see if they have the same problems before going for a straight exchange.

Thanks for heads up. I need to get a new big water jug for an upcoming event with my Beaver Scouts. I'll look at containers with a closer eye now. Bringing one home with a with a hole in it is exactly my kind of luck!

I have one Coleman and one Reliance Aquatainer, both are the square blue jobs, both are pre 04 hurricane season...still in good shape, but they don't get moved much

I would not use these Walmart cans.

I purchased TWO last year. The purpose was for extra water storage in the trunk of a sedan.

I noticed BOTH leaked badly at the cap. There is no easy way to tighten the cap to prevent leakage. There is space in my SUV to allow storage in an upright position but for the sedan, it does require that the container be placed sideways. This allowed SIGNIFICANT leakage.