coke syrup barrels for water storage

[bmullikin1]

Anyone have any problems with these, pressure washed w soap, used vinager, then used baking soda, clean, but still smells like coke. worried about bacterial issues because of the sugar and water sitting in barrels for too long, possible leaching out.

 

[tony727]

My barrel still smells of syrup, but I've been using it with no noticeable issues.

 

[Safir]

I used them before - no issues.

currently I use 5 gallon pickle buckets from firehouse - everything smells like garlic but i have not observed any issues.

 

[MrHarvard]

I'm sure plenty of people have used these and not had issues but the fact of the matter is that it's impossible to get all of the old syrup out of the plastic. Little by little whatever was in the barrel will come out in the water (may never be enough to harm anything) and if the barrels get hot at any point this can allow even more of the old product to leach out into your water. At the end of the day you have to ask yourself if the risk is worth it. Sorry don't mean to be a Debbie Downer but I know what it feels like to have a tank crash and see all your livestock and hard work go down the drain.