Tip of the Week: Add A Pour Spout to Military Water Cans

Parts, tools and the spout in place in the MWC lid.

Military water cans (MWC) have a lot going for them--durability being the biggest. They're a rugged, fairly fool-proof way to store water. They're our main method of storing emergency H20, and at least one comes along with us on every camping trip, and they're otherwise filled up and ready to rock if needs be. Zero leaks, zero complaints and they still look about as good as new. BuyLCI.com is generally the best place to get 'em.

One beef with the MWC is a lack of an easy pour spout--they can be a bit difficult if you just want to get a small amount of water out of 'em. I also wanted the ability to attach a Sawyer PointZeroTwo filter--the Sawyer comes with a kit for attaching it to a 5 gallon bucket, but I much prefer my MWCs. This modification would allow you to to attach the PointZero filter in a similar manner, using the hydration pack adapter.

The modification was pretty simple--a nozzle from Lowe's and an appropriately sized pipe tap from the Amazon.


Here's the tool/parts list:

• 1/2 to 1/4 NPT Pipe Tap 
• A 1/4 in ID x 1/2 in MIP Nylon Hose Barb/Adapter from the plumbing section at Lowe's
• Socket wrench and socket to fit the tap - I used my Gator Grip universal socket, which is a handy little tool.
• Lid for your military water can

The how-to is simple. Insert tap into the opening on the military water can and use the socket wrench to twist the tap through. After you're done, you'll be able to screw the nozzle into the opening. My threads are ugly, but they work, and that's what matters.  It's been perfectly water tight for me. 

This size nozzle fits the hose attachment that comes with the Sawyer filter perfectly. It will also fit Camelbak tubes, too. You're very unlikely to wreck the lid making this mod, and it retains all of its regular functionality if you don't want to use the nozzle/spout.

 I'm looking to add a hose with an on/off valve for use with "good" water--Lowe's has a lackluster selection in this department.

Simple, relatively inexpensive modification for your MWCs. If you don't want to mess with the modification and sourcing parts, there's at least one guy selling already modified MWC lids on eBay, though I'm not sure if they will fit the Sawyer filter.