I'd just turn off the breaker to the water heater if you don't feel you have a use for hot water. Leave the valves open to and from the tank. If you close them the hot water taps in the house won't work without a plumbing bypass. Leaving them open will introduce fresh water into the tank when you open the hot water taps. You say you're on town water. Good chance the water is tested for bacteria and chlorinated if needed. There's a lot of standing drinkable water in pipes and tanks long before it gets to your house, most of it at 50 or so degrees. I wouldn't worry about storing 40 gallons in a tank for a short period.
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