To treat water, follow these steps:
1.Filter the water using a piece of cloth or coffee filter to remove solid particles.
2.Bring it to a rolling boil for about one full minute.
3.Let it cool at least 30 minutes. Water must be cool or the chlorine treatment described below will be useless.
4.Add 16 drops of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water, or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water. Stir to mix. Sodium hypochlorite of the concentration of 5.25% to 6% should be the only active ingredient in the bleach. There should not be any added soap or fragrances. A major bleach manufacturer has also added Sodium Hydroxide as an active ingredient, which they state does not pose a health risk for water treatment.
5.Let stand 30 minutes.
6.If it smells of chlorine. You can use it. If it does not smell of chlorine, add 16 more drops of chlorine bleach per gallon of water (or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water), let stand 30 minutes, and smell it again. If it smells of chlorine, you can use it. If it does not smell of chlorine, discard it and find another source of water.
Source:
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/…0089f0870aRCRD
WATER PURIFICATION
1) Clear water is a sign of pure water. Always drain long-standing pipes for 30 seconds to one minute before drinking! I do this with water fountains too! Water in motels, etc.
2) 1 Gallon water is disinfected by 16 drops of regular household bleach (about 1/4 of a teaspoon) – double that for cloudy water. Shake gently, and let stand for 30 minutes. One teaspoon will disinfect 5 gallons.(think of your white 5 gallon pails.) Immediately after treating, water must initially have a slight smell of chlorine. If it does not – repeat the process.
3) Household bleach is relatively harmless. The smell of chlorine is not bad: it indicates that water is treated and germ free. Once treated and disinfected, the chlorine smell will go away whith-in a few days.
4) Regularly used water from large tanks may be treated once or twice a month with 1 Oz. bleach per 200 gallons or 5 Oz. bleach per 1000 gallons.
5) Long-standing water in tanks will be disinfected w/ 1 pint household bleach per 1000 gallons. (2500 gal tanks are fine with 3 pints.) (Think of those big rain barrels.)
6) Bleach effectively kills bacteria and viruses, stops smells and then breaks down. It’s effective germ killing alkaline property is completely neutralized very quickly. It does not stay chemically active in tanks for more than a few days. Most germs require sunlight to grow. Store water in a cool dark place.
