Inevitably, my obsession with dubious “atomic gadgets” of doubtful effectiveness has led me to the particular world of emergency rations. Previously we have talked about the “Apocalypse Diet” based on bulgur crackers, and about the role of SPAM during World War II and the following years, but today we can say with certainty that the US government didn’t leave anything un-canned... and that includes drinking water. The channel New England Wildlife & More published a video a few years ago in which they explore the contents of these “emergency water cans” after 65 years...
The cans leave no room for confusion: “Emergency Drinking Water”, packaged by MacDonald-Bernier from Boston, Massachusetts. Everything I've been able to find out about that company is that it operated between 1900 and 1970, but I also found other names, such as H&M Packing Corporation and International Packing Corporation.
The contract number, N383-155s-XXXXX (usually 77754 or 90175), points to the United States Navy, and with a date of September 11, 1953, the cans were sealed two months after the end of the Korean War. The specification MIL-W-15117, focused on “potable water cans for emergencies”, had at least two revisions, A and B. With more than 65 years on their shoulders, these cans have become very interesting collectibles, but the question is... can you drink their contents?
Chemical tests on water sealed since 1953
Right away it becomes clear that there is “something extra” floating in the water, and the channel's host described its smell as metallic and chemical. The most important test is a 9-in-1 pack that detects the presence of copper, iron, lead, nitrate-nitrite and chlorine, as well as pH and hardness. The rest of the tests (the same ones used in aquariums) are just a means of control, to check that the first test yields accurate results.
It's also worth mentioning that the can is not filled to the brim, and on the inner walls we can see a certain green accumulation (which may be biological... or not). What did the tests indicate? The pH, hardness and nitrate-nitrite values appear to be acceptable, but with 20 parts per million of lead, 7 parts per million of copper, 5 parts per million of iron and 1 part per million of ammonia, this liquid comfortably exceeds the limits recommended by the EPA.
Why did this happen? The presence of lead is explained by the “seam” that the can has: Over the decades, the lead from that solder began to leak into the water until reaching that concentration. But the existence of ammonia suggests biological waste, and for that reason, the last phase of tests was under the microscope. Although nothing moves on its own, the particles coming from the can are notable.
In short... no. Nobody should drink one of those cans.
