Water Purification

Bleach

Why Use Bleach for Water Purification?

Ideally, having the means to boil water as a means of decontamination is usually a consumer’s first line of defense. However, when utilities have been knocked out as a result of a natural disaster, your chances of having access to gas and electricity could negate this option.

Here are just a few reasons to keep a supply of bleach on hand:

• It’s a standard household product used by homemakers for tasks that range from cleaning to disinfecting.
• Bleach costs very little and is available by the gallon; both are reasons this product remains a household staple.
• You can find bleach almost everywhere you shop: grocers, big-box stores, hardware stores and supermarkets.
• Bleach can not only make water potable, but it can combat mold and mildew.

What Type of Bleach?

There are only two classifications of bleach: chlorine and non-chlorine. If you are using bleach to disinfect water, you need to buy regular, unscented chlorine bleach with an active ingredient of between 6 and 8.25 percent of sodium hypochlorite.

How to Use Bleach to Purify Water

Step 1 – Add Bleach to the Water
Add either eight drops of 6 percent bleach or six drops of 8.25 percent bleach to one gallon of water.

Step 2 – Inspect and Adjust if Necessary
If that water is cloudy, colored, or very cold, experts recommend doubling the bleach to 12 or 16 drops respectively.

Step 3 – Wait
Allow the mix to stand for about 30 minutes.

Step 4 – Smell and Adjust if Necessary
Smell the solution. If you don’t detect a slight chlorine odor, add another 12 or 16 drops and let the water stand for 15 minutes more.

Step 5 – Reduce the Levels of Bleach in the Water
If the chlorine taste is off-putting when sampled, transfer containers. Allow the water to stand for several hours in the new container before you drink it (uncapped). You can also pour the water back and forth between two containers. This will help speed up the evaporation of the chlorine.

Mixing Larger Batches of Purified Water

If you are wanting to make larger batches of purified water, here are some ratios for larger quantities:

If you’re using 6 percent chlorine bleach:

• 2 drops of bleach per quart or liter of water
• 8 drops per gallon of water
• 16 drops per 2 gallons of water
• 1/3-teaspoon per 4 gallons of water
• 2/3-teaspoon per 8 gallons of water

If you’re using 8.25 percent chlorine bleach:

• 2 drops of bleach per quart or liter of water
• 6 drops per gallon of water
• 12 drops per 2 gallons of water
• 1/4-teaspoon per 4 gallons of water
• 1/2-teaspoon per 8 gallons of water

Tips for Storing Purified Water

1. Use only food-grade storage containers to hold your purified water.
2. If you must use non-food-grade containers, get durable alternatives with caps that can be tightly closed.
3. Never recycle old containers and fill with water—especially if they have held toxic materials.
4. If you’re uncertain about the origin, ask whether the container you’re considering is FDA approved.
5. Sanitize every container you plan to use. Mix one teaspoon of fragrance-free chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of water and pour it into the container. Shake vigorously. Let stand 30 seconds before you empty it and allow it to air dry.
6. Slap a label on each container that’s marked “Drinking Water” and write in that day’s date.
7. Store your containers out of direct sunlight in a cool environment that doesn’t exceed 70-degrees.
8. Replace all water at 6-month intervals, after cleaning out the containers, to maintain freshness.
9. Never keep your water supply near containers that hold gas, pesticides, or other toxins.