If your water source is uncertain, you should treat it first before drinking it.
One way to treat water for drinking is to add a small amount of Regular Bleach (chlorine). Here’s how much regular bleach to add:
(details below)
One best way to purify water for drinking is to boil it for 1 minute.
Once the water has reached a rolling boil, it has become safe to drink.
Note that if the water source had been contaminated with chemicals, boiling it or otherwise treating it will NOT assure that the chemical is removed.
Know your water source as best you can.
Another way to purify water is to use a small amount of Regular liquid bleach.
Use Regular household bleach, with the only ‘active’ ingredient ‘sodium hypochlorite’.
UPDATE: For many years Regular bleach contained a concentration of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Newer ‘Regular’ liquid bleach (which has been available for several years) now contains a concentration of 8.25% sodium hypochlorite (about 57% more than the original bleach formula).
(I have listed both amounts below for your reference.)
Having recently determined how much bleach to add to a 50-gallon water tank to purify it for safe drinking, I’ve put together the following charts for your reference.
One old ‘saying’ – a way to remember for small quantities:
“You must be 21 to drink”
2 drops bleach per 1 quart water
Mix the following amount of bleach with water, and wait 30 minutes for it to work. The water should have just a ‘hint’ of chlorine smell.
Water – Bleach Ratio For Purification
(Bleach containing 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite)
numbers are ’rounded’
This will initially produce ~ 5 ppm chlorine
1 Quart water, 2 drops bleach
1 Gallon water, 8 drops bleach
5 Gallons water, 1/2 teaspoon bleach
10 Gallons water, 3/4 teaspoon bleach
50 Gallons water, 4 teaspoons bleach
Water – Bleach Ratio For Purification
(Bleach containing 8.25% Sodium Hypochlorite)
numbers are ’rounded’
This will initially produce ~ 5 ppm chlorine
1 Quart water, 1 drop bleach (1.3 rounded)
1 Gallon water, 5 drops bleach
5 Gallons water, 1/4 teaspoon bleach
10 Gallons water, 1/2 teaspoon bleach
50 Gallons water, 2-1/2 teaspoons bleach
Read more: Smallest Berkey Countertop Water Filter – Specs
NOTES:
The initial chlorine level (ppm) will drop when interacting with water and organic contaminants (it’s doing it’s job). This may occur slowly or precipitously.
If the water is cloudy, and if you still cannot smell any chlorine in the water after having let it sit for 30 minutes (there should be a hint of chlorine smell), the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) advises that you consider a 2nd round of treatment.
According to the EPA, the maximum recommended ppm (parts per million) of chlorine bleach in drinking water is apparently 4 ppm.
Generally speaking, water that has a chlorine level of 4 ppm would smell very strong of chlorine, whereas a ‘hint’ of smell indicates a level well below that. A chlorine test kit is the only true way to know for sure.
Bleach will lose its potency (fairly quickly) over time. Generally, 6 months to a year after its expiration date may result in half strength.
Continue reading: How much bleach for disinfecting surfaces (food & non-food surfaces)
Some of your information is not correct. The lack of a chlorine smell doesn’t indicate a low chlorine level. The smell comes from a chloramine gas. After breakpoint chlorination the smell is very low. If you don’t smell the “chlorine” smell it could be you have enough. If you continue to add chlorine it will not smell more strongly. Open a bottle of bleach and take a whiff. It’s not a strong “chlorine” smell. That’s because it’s not reacting with anything. Please don’t tell people to continue adding chlorine if they can’t smell it.
Jack,
The smell check is simply subjective, and suggested per CDC instructions regarding wilderness water treatment.
I checked the article again, and there is no instruction to continue adding chlorine if they can’t smell it. Rather, there is a suggestion for a 2nd round of treatment. That’s it. Hope that helps clear it up.
Ultimately, a chlorine test kit will reveal the level.
He didnt …he said if water stays cloudy .,…! That means its still full of organic ,,, dirty stuff ? ! Read ?
Maybe, it is because certain people, just, don’t want you to know ! Great Idea, it’s worth a try.
repeat after me, it is not a conspiracy, chlorine is very corrosive and will destroy many metal parts of machines
Kidharris, repeat after me… untold millions would be dead without chlorine to disinfect Americas water supply.
I am a marine engineer and used bleach all the time to purify drinking water and for the waste treatment system This ship was 50 years old and yes the old original ac and refer systems were in the same room plenty of electric motors from two to a 7,000 hp main motor. There was no damage to the windings . I also ran waste water treatment plants. there was a constant drip of 15% dioxide chlorine in the clarifier and no damage to the blower motor windings. There are many residential swimming pools near ac systems and they operate fine with constant exposure to chlorine fumes. Yes chlorine in high concentrations is corrosive to many metals. The small amount needed to purify water will not harm an AC system.