I read all the posts which mention water containers for emergency. Which type of container is suitable ? is it soft collapable or hard plastic PVC version ? Have I covered all the types of water containers?

What are your applications? Are you wanting water storage in a kit for home? Car? Bug out kit? Long term storage?

It will depend on your purpose, but I'd generally stay away from the collapsibles. With the exception of the CamelBak-style hydration bladders, collapsibles will leak. So will the one gallon jugs of water you buy at the grocery store. I like Coleman's 5 gallon hard plastic jugs. They're big enough to be fairly space-efficient but not so big you can't throw a couple in your trunk if you need to travel. Not too pricey either, if you shop around a little.

5 gal Coleman jug

Like the other members posted, what is your intended application?

Right now there's about 3 Nalgene bottles, two flats of 0.5L spring water, two Platypus 2+L collapsible bottles, a Platypus 0.5L collapsible bottle, a couple of 1 gallon spring water jugs, a Camelbak 70oz. "Unbottle", and a 5 gallon hard plastic water can floating around my place.

Each one has advantages and disadvantages over the others. The hard plastic bottles, jugs, and cans seem better suited for shelter-in-place or vehicle travel. The collapsible bottles and Camelbak are easier to transport when empty and don't take much space. The Nalgene bottles are practically indestructible and work great outdoors or rattling around in your pack.

Just depends on what your needs are.

The 1 gallon AriZona iced tea jugs are fairly sturdy. They are nothing like milk or spring water jugs from the grocery store. One place that I worked at filled them at the rate of 130 / minute.

I am thinking of long term bug out for 2-3weeks. Is coleman plastic container durable?

I haven't done any extensive trials with the hard Coleman jugs, but I have four of them and haven't had any issues. I suspect they could take a fair amount of abuse, much more than the collapsible version and the typical milk jugs and 2L bottles.

One note: Store them with the spigots upright. Some have a tendency to leak a little from the spigots if not aligned properly.

Pre-Y2K, I purchased around 5-6 different water storage jugs. I filled them, secured the lids/spouts/caps, and tipped them on their sides. Some immediately leaked. Others leaked overnight. Only the Aquatainer bottles remained leak free. I returned the others and stocked up on Aquatainers.

All my transportable home water is now in Aquatianer jugs (Non-transportable water is in 55 gallon food grade plastic drums). I purchased the 7 gal Aquatainer to minimize the number of jugs needed, but the filled weight is close to 50 lbs (7 lbs/gallon). I can haul it around now, but might struggle if I were injured or ill. If I was starting over I would opt for the 4 gallon size. The Aquatainer jugs are designed to allow stacking too. Decent spigot.

I use the Colman 5 gal jugs for camping (very convenient to use the spigot when tipped on its side), but have had some problem with leaking spigots and o-rings. I just ordered up a bunch of replacement parts from Coleman to keep these running. I don't think the Colman jugs were designed to allow stacking (though, I've never tried).

The standard collapsible water containers can and will leak (personal experience). These are convenient for some uses, but not relialble enough for me to consider.

If you want smaller containers, Nalgene is superb gear. I have no experience with the camelback style bladders.

Happy Hydration, TR