Ensuring access to clean drinking water is one of the most important survival skills. This guide explains how to purify water using a DIY bleach solution, a method both effective and straightforward.
Clean Water Purification: Simple Process
Details on each step (in detail) below.
- Mix 1 gram (¼ teaspoon) of calcium hypochlorite with 1 gallon of water. This creates your bleach solution and is your starting point.
- Filter drinking water through cloth or coffee filter to remove sediments.
- Add 8 drops of your newly created bleach solution per gallon for standard purification. For contaminated or cold water, use 16 drops per gallon.
- Allow purified water to sit for at least 30 minutes.
- To adjust taste, add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda per gallon of water.
Before jumping into the detailed how-to, you’ll need Calcium Hypochlorite, the water to be purified, at least one water storage container, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). + a method to filter debris from the water (if applicable).
Bonus: add Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) to enhance flavor and balance the pH.
1.) Bleach Solution Preparation
To create a bleach solution for disinfection, mix 1 gram of calcium hypochlorite with a gallon of water. Details found here: DIY Bleach w/ Calcium Hypochlorite
- Materials Needed: Calcium hypochlorite, “clean” water, container. Clean: remove visible particulates and sediments.
- Mixing: Combine 1 gram (about 1/4 teaspoon) of calcium hypochlorite per gallon of water to create your bleach solution.
- Application: Use immediately for disinfecting surfaces or for cleaning water containers. The solution is most effective when used within 24 hours of preparation.
- Disinfection Time: Allow at least 30 minutes of contact time when using this solution as a cleaner and disinfectant.
- Rinsing: Thoroughly rinse treated areas with clean water after disinfection.
Now that you have your bleach solution, you can purify your water for drinking:
2.) Water Purification Using the Bleach Solution
Once you have prepared a bleach solution with calcium hypochlorite, you can use it to purify water, making it safe for drinking. This process is especially important in situations where the only available water is of questionable quality. Materials needed:
- Bleach solution prepared with calcium hypochlorite
- Contaminated or unclear water
- Clean container for treated water
Water Pre-Treatment
- Clarify Water: Start with the clearest water possible. If the water is cloudy or contains sediments, filter it through a clean cloth or coffee filter to remove particulates.
When purifying drinking water with a prepared bleach solution, the dosage varies based on the volume of water you’re treating. Here’s a guide for different amounts of water, including a gallon, 5 gallons, and 55 gallons:
Standard Dosage for Water Purification
- For 1 Quart/Liter: Add 2 drops of bleach solution. (0.1 mL)
- For 1 Gallon: Use 8 drops of bleach solution. (0.4 mL)
- For 5 Gallons: Apply 40 drops (approximately 1 teaspoon or 2 mL) of bleach solution.
- For 55 Gallons: Administer 440 drops (about 2.5 teaspoons or 22 mL) of bleach solution.
Adjusted Dosage for Contaminated or Cold Water
If the water is significantly contaminated or the temperature is below 68°F (20°C), the amount of bleach solution should be increased to ensure effective disinfection:
- For 1 Quart/Liter: Increase to 4 drops of bleach solution. (0.2 mL)
- For 1 Gallon: Use 16 drops of bleach solution. (0.8 mL)
- For 5 Gallons: Apply 80 drops (approximately 2 teaspoons or 4 mL) of bleach solution.
- For 55 Gallons: Administer 880 drops (about 5 teaspoons or 44 mL) of bleach solution.
After adding the bleach, let the water sit for at least 30 minutes before using it to ensure pathogens are effectively killed.
3.) Post-Treatment (Improve Taste & pH)
After treating water with bleach solution for disinfection, follow these steps to ensure the water is safe and pleasant to use:
- Smell Test:
- Conduct a smell test after the water has been sitting for at least 30 minutes following treatment. A slight chlorine odor should be present, signifying that the disinfection process was effective. If you cannot detect any chlorine smell, add a small additional amount of bleach solution, and allow the water to sit for another 15 minutes before re-testing.
- Adjusting Taste with Sodium Bicarbonate:
- If the chlorine taste is too strong, you can neutralize it by adding a pinch of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to the treated water. Start with a small amount, such as 1/4 teaspoon for each gallon of water, stir well, and taste. Adjust if necessary, but be cautious not to overdo it.
- Sodium bicarbonate doesn’t just improve the taste; it also helps to balance the pH of the water, making it more neutral. This can be especially beneficial if the bleach solution has made the water slightly acidic or basic, as extreme pH values can be unpleasant to drink and may affect the water’s compatibility with certain containers or plumbing systems.
Overview Summary: Water Purification with Calcium Hypochlorite
1. Bleach Solution Preparation
- Materials Needed: Calcium hypochlorite, “clean” water.
- Preparation: Remove visible particulates and sediments from water.
- Mixing: Combine 1 gram (approximately 1/4 teaspoon) of calcium hypochlorite with 1 gallon of water.
- Application: Use immediately for disinfecting surfaces or cleaning water containers, optimal within 24 hours.
- Disinfection Time: Minimum of 30 minutes contact time.
- Rinsing: Rinse thoroughly with clean water after disinfection.
2. Water Purification Using Bleach Solution
- Materials Needed: Prepared bleach solution, contaminated/unclear water, clean container.
- Pre-Treatment: Filter water through clean cloth or coffee filter to remove sediments.
- Standard Dosage:
- 1 Quart/Liter: 2 drops of bleach solution.
- 1 Gallon: 8 drops.
- 5 Gallons: 40 drops (1 teaspoon).
- 55 Gallons: 440 drops (2.5 teaspoons).
- Adjusted Dosage for Contaminated/Cold Water:
- 1 Quart/Liter: 4 drops.
- 1 Gallon: 16 drops.
- 5 Gallons: 80 drops (2 teaspoons).
- 55 Gallons: 880 drops (5 teaspoons).
- Settling Time: At least 30 minutes before use.
3. Post-Treatment for Purified Water
- Smell Test: Ensure a slight chlorine odor after 30 minutes; re-dose if absent.
- Taste Adjustment with Sodium Bicarbonate:
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per gallon of water if chlorine taste is strong, adjusting as needed.
- Benefits: Neutralizes taste and balances pH, making water more neutral and palatable.
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