Purifying Water 101

Today is the beginning of World Water Week. This is an annual event designed to reflect on global water issues, and how we can tackle them. Getting clean water is such an important issue for many countries that a global conference is held every year to discuss the matter. There’s no denying it. We all need water to live. Our core body needs it to function and maintain day-to-day operations. On average, you will die three days without it. After a disaster, most of our water facilities will be shut down, or contaminated, leading to their intimidate closure for an undetermined length of time. The Bleach Method is the most popular way to chemically treat water at home. They have proven that this method can kill off the most pathogens than any other method of water purification. Here is how you can do it safely.

1. For general safety, all found water must be filtered prior to treating it. Even if you think the water is clean enough to not be filtered, it isn’t.
2. Once filtered, let it sit covered until it reaches room temperature (68-72 degrees F.) This is because this method works best in warm water.
3. Add 8 drops of bleach per gallon, or 40 drops (½ teaspoon) for five gallons. While handling bleach, make sure it is out in a well-ventilated area, away from small children and pets. Never combine bleach with other chemicals, such as ammonia, because this could lead to a deadly reaction.
4. Stir it briskly with a clean, sterile device.
5. Let it sit covered for another thirty minutes to one hour.
6. If the water has a faint bleach smell, then it is safe to consume. If it doesn’t, repeat steps 3-5. Do not repeat steps if it fails a second time. Scrap the project altogether because the water is then too foul to use. If you find the taste unpleasant, you can dilute it by adding powder drink mix or a small amount of lemon/lime juice. Don’t use the Bleach Method on the water you plan on using for diary-making, as the chemicals in it will kill off the bacteria needed to make cheese, yogurt, etc.
7. Transfer it to a container that closes, as the chlorine would dissipate over time while exposed to the air, increasing the chance of contamination.

You’ll want to use a liquid bleach that has a 5.25 to a 6.0 percent sodium hypochlorite level. Anything less than that won’t be potent enough to work, but anything higher than that increases your chance of getting sick. The sodium hypochlorite in bleach acts as an antiseptic if diluted, making it ideal for disinfectant purposes. Never use bleach with added scents, dyes, and cleaners, and those that are color-safe as these won’t be as effective as original bleach.

When storing your bleach between uses, keep it in its original container. Store it in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight. Bleach will expire six months after its manufacturing date, three months if opened. Once it expires, it becomes 20% less effective each year until it breaks down into salt and water. If the rim, cap, or bottle has a thick, white crusty layer on it, do not use it. Never keep it near food and water in case the bottle leaks, so it won’t contaminate your supplies.

To clean up a bleach spill, it depends on the surface you are on. If it happens on a carpeted surface, gently blot the surface with dry rags that match the carpet in question. This is because the color on the rag may bleed into the carpet, making an even bigger mess. Then, rinse (but don’t over-saturate) the area with cool water while blotting it with a sponge. When finished, dry it with a towel that also, like the rags, matches your carpet’s color. Treat the spot with a solution in a spray bottle made with one cup of water and a third cup of vinegar. Apply a moderate later of this vinegar solution to the area and let it sit for five minutes. Rinse and dry like before. When satisfied with your effort, place a dry towel over the spot, place a heavy object on top of it and leave it for 8-10 hours. This is so you absorb the remaining bleach into the towel and not the carpet. After this, remove the towel and vacuum the spot to clean up any crusty residue left behind. You can toss the towel, or wash it in its own cycle. If the surface is a hardwood surface, make a paste out of all-purpose flour and vinegar. Apply the paste to the bleached area with a slightly dampened cloth. Let the paste seat for ten minutes. Sweep it up, and allow the floor to air dry. Bleach damage on hardwood floors can lead to discoloration, resulting in them needing to be resurfaced and stained back to their original color.

Bleach is a household waste, and can not be disposed of in your regular trash to be disposed of. To dispose of it properly, small, diluted amounts can be poured down the sink with the tap running or flushed down the toilet. If it is undiluted or more than .25 gallons, contact your local hazardous waste department at your trash collection agency for further instructions on proper disposal. Adding water is the only way to dilute bleach enough for safe disposal.

If this method is administered improperly, it could lead to many people becoming sick. This is more of an advanced treatment option, so if you are new to water purification, I would not try this method until later on down the line. If you accidentally ingest bleach, do not induce vomiting, instead consume water and seek professional medical help. Poison Control may help, and can be reached at 1-800-222-1222 or online at poison.org (https://www.poison.org/). If you get it in your eyes, flush them for fifteen minutes with clean water or use the eyewash station. Companies are required by law to have one if the employees are going to come into contact with any hazardous chemicals that could harm their eyes. If applied directly to the skin, it could lead to burns. To treat them, flesh the wound for ten minutes with cool, clean water. When finished, leave uncovered, but apply aloe or burn relief gel to the wound to speed up treatment. The reason you don’t want to cover it is new skin can grow into a bandage leading to infection when removed.