Tricia,
I suggest that you look for laboratory supplies. The name for your product is called "carboy". You can purchase them with or without spigots. I have a few that are ~ 10 litres. They were surplus; I didn't argue about the sizes!

With water, these 10 litre containers weigh nearly 25 lbs. You can get whatever size that you want through a good lab supply house. Some models are equipped with built-in (molded) "handles".

They are sturdy and seem to be what you want.....If it matters, they aren't cheep.

If you choose these, keep them outta direct sunlight! UV light takes a cumulative toll on the plastic.....

--Stitz--

My first thought was of lab carboys as well. Then I remembered back to when I used to homebrew beer. There is an item called a "fermenter" that is basically a 6.5 gallon (24.6 liter) bucket with a spigot, lid, and an airlock. You could remove the airlock and run a small line from you humidifier through it into the bucket. If the hole is too small the lid is just plastic and could easily be drilled. These fermentors are about $16 on the site I've included, before shipping. They are also commonly available at natural foods stores if there is one near you.

Mark

Here is a link that might be useful: fermenters

Thank=you so much for your help Stiz & Mark. I am going to look into both of your suggestions. Sounds like just what I am looking for. Tricia

I would not think a whole-house humidifier (if this is what you are talking about) -- which is usually mounted onto the furnace -- would be a very good water source since the salt and mineral concentrations would be higher than average. This is why you have to change your humidifier filter; it gets all crusty. The water, as it runs thru the filter, evaporates into your heating air leaving behind all the nasty salts and minerals.

Now, the water coming from your summer AC unit is different. It is condensation and might be fine to use, since it's pure water.

I do use the water from my garage DE-humidier on plants, since it's basically condensation and should be fairly pure water (though not drinkable).

good points, Dave.

I wouldn't think of using water from the "whole-house humifier" which is mounted onto my furnace either. That seems like r-i-s-k-y behaviour!

--Stitz--