2: HOUSEHOLD CHLORINE

Chlorine Bleach: When boiling is not practical, chemical disinfectants should be used. Common household bleach contains a chlorine compound that will disinfect water. The procedure to be followed is usually written on the label. When the necessary procedure is not given, find the percentage of available chlorine on the label and use the information in the following tabulation as a guide.

Where the available chlorine bleach has a concentration of 1% use 10 drops per quart of clear water. For 4-6% use 2 drops per quart and for 7-10% use 1 drop per quart (If strength is unknown, add ten drops per quart of water. Double amount of chlorine for cloudy or coloured water or water that is extremely cold.)

The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand, preferably covered, for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odour; if not, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made more pleasing by allowing the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.

Granular Calcium Hypochlorite. Add and dissolve one heaping teaspoon of high-test granular calcium hypochlorite (approximately 1/4 ounce) for each two gallons of water. The mixture will produce a stock chlorine solution of approximately 500 mg/L, since the calcium hypochlorite has an available chlorine equal to 70 percent of its weight. To disinfect water, add the chlorine solution in the ratio of one part of chlorine solution to each 100 parts of water to be treated. This is roughly equal to adding 1 pint (16 oz.) of stock chlorine to each 12.5 gallons of water to be disinfected. To remove any objectionable chlorine odour, aerate the water as described above.

Chlorine Tablets. Chlorine tablets containing the necessary dosage for drinking water disinfection can be purchased in a commercially prepared form. These tablets should be used as stated in the instructions. When instructions are not available, use one tablet for each quart of water to be purified.

3: IODINE

TINCTURE OF IODINE. Common household iodine from the medicine chest or first aid kit may be used to disinfect water. Add five drops of 2 percent (U.S.P.) Tincture of iodine to each quart of clear water. For cloudy water add ten drops and let the solution stand for at least 30 minutes.

IODINE TABLETS. Commercially prepared iodine tablets containing the necessary dosage for drinking water disinfecting should be used as stated on its packaging. When instructions are not available, use one tablet for each quart of water to be purified.

WATER TO BE USED FOR DRINKING, COOKING,

MAKING ANY PREPARED DRINK, OR BRUSHING THE TEETH

SHOULD BE PROPERLY DISINFECTED.

PS Remember that preserving the water in the water heater can provide an extra 30 or 40 gallons of water in an emergency situation.