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Can you purify water with bleach?

Treat water by adding liquid household bleach, such as Clorox or Purex. Household bleach is typically between 5.25 percent and 8.25 percent chlorine. Read the label. Avoid using bleaches that contain perfumes, dyes and other additives.

doh.wa.gov - Water Purification - | Washington State Department of Health - WA.gov

What is the cheapest way to purify water?

Boiling water is the cheapest and safest method of water purification.

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The treatments described below work only to remove bacteria or viruses from water. If you suspect the water is unsafe because of chemicals, oils, poisonous substances, sewage or other contaminants, do not drink the water. Don't drink water that is dark colored, has an odor or contains solid materials.

Storing water safely

The best source of drinking water during an emergency is water you have stored with your emergency supplies. Store one gallon of water per person per day--enough for at least two weeks. Store-bought, factory-sealed bottled water is best. Check for an expiration date and replace as needed. If you choose to fill your own water containers: Collect the water from a safe supply. Store water in thoroughly washed plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums. Seal water containers tightly, label with date, and store in a cool, dark place. Replace water every six months. Never reuse a container that held toxic substances such as pesticides, chemicals or oil.

Purifying by boiling

If your tap water is unsafe, boiling is the best method to kill disease-causing organisms. If tap water is unavailable, the following may be considered as potential water sources. Water taken from these sources should be boiled before drinking.

Rainwater

Lakes

Rivers and streams

Natural springs

Ponds

Caution: Many chemical pollutants will not be removed by boiling.

Cloudy water should be filtered before boiling. Filter cloudy water using coffee filters, paper towels, cheesecloth or a cotton plug in a funnel. Bring the water to a rolling boil for at least one full minute.

Let the water cool before drinking.

Purifying by adding liquid chlorine bleach

Treat water by adding liquid household bleach, such as Clorox or Purex.

Household bleach is typically between 5.25 percent and 8.25 percent chlorine. Read the label. Avoid using bleaches that contain perfumes, dyes and other additives. Be sure to read the label.

Cloudy water should be filtered before adding bleach.

Place the water in a clean container. Add the amount of bleach according to the table below.

Mix thoroughly and let stand for at least 60 minutes before drinking.

Treating water with household bleach containing 5.25-8.25 percent chlorine Volume of Water to be Treated Bleach Solution to Add 1 quart/1 liter 5 drops 1/2 gallon/2 quarts/2 liters 10 drops 1 gallon 1/4 teaspoon 5 gallons 1 teaspoon 10 gallons 2 teaspoons Caution: Bleach will not kill some disease-causing organisms commonly found in surface water. Bleach will not remove chemical pollutants.

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DOH Pub 821-031

Revised - July 2013

Reviewed annually

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Does boiling water make it safe to drink in wild?

Boiling water isn't safe to drink on the fells. It'll scald you.

ukclimbing.com - UKC Forums - Boiling water safe to drink. - UKClimbing

>I had always understood that iodine was needed for Giardia

As I understand it, neither chlorine nor iodine seem much effective against Giardia or Crypto (especially against the latter). Even less so in cold water or water full of organics (depletion). Boiling is the safest way, if you can afford the fuel and weight costs. Or you could combine filter and chemical treatment in G. areas, even 1µm filters should take care of the cysts and halogens of the rest. There are many sources and links already in this thread, but here is another:

https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/34/3/355/388050

(Water Disinfection for International and Wilderness Travelers, Clinical Infectious Diseases journal, OUP)

>Chlorine makes me feel ill anyway (I believe this is quite common).

BTW, if you can't stand the aftertaste of halogen purifiers, you can add some powdered vitamin C (ascorbic acid, powder is cheapest) after it's finished to get rid of the residuals. It's even used for that in water treatment plants. Might be all a bit anal as I drank (and sometimes still do) from many streams without ill effect, until there was an pronounced effect. Like when we discovered a decomposed piglet just above otherwise absolutely pristine spring. Nearly ran out of TP then...

Post edited at 13:58

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