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| Long term solution to storing bleach for water purification http://www.thegoldenthread.info/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=2137 |
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| Author: | Lynnwood [ Sat Jul 10, 2010 1:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Long term solution to storing bleach for water purification |
I hang out at the Ning as well, and just the other day someone there suggested "calcium hypochlorite" in the form of "Pool Shock" - it comes in powder form, you mix with water and it makes bleach (think water purification) and it never goes bad, unlike bleach, which always seems to get used up in the laundry... A gallon size container cost $30 plus tax. Three heaping tablespoons of the powder is enough to purify about 500 gallons. WoW! 
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| Author: | Bluebonnet [ Sat Jul 10, 2010 7:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Long term solution to storing bleach for water purification |
We discussed this in detail at the old Flu Wiki. Let me give you some information here: How to Disinfect Water Using Calcium Hypochlorite Using granular calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water is a two step process. 1.To make a stock of chlorine solution (do not drink this!) dissolve 1 heaping teaspoon (about one-quarter of an ounce) of high-test (78%) granular calcium hypochlorite for each two gallons (eight liters) of water. 2.To disinfect water add one part of the chlorine solution to 100 parts water to be treated. 3.Let the mixture sit for at least one-half hour before drinking. Be sure to obtain the dry granular calcium hypochlorite since once it is made into a liquid solution it will begin to degrade and eventually become useless as a disinfecting agent. This also means you should make your treated drinking water in small batches, for example enough for a few weeks at a time at most. Another plus for using calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water for emergency use is that a little goes a very long way. A 1-pound pag of calcium hypochlorite in granular form typically costs only a few $US dollars and can be obtained in any swimming pool supply section of your hardware store or online. This amount will treat up to 10,000 gallons of drinking water, which is enough for a family of four for some six or seven years at a gallon per day per person! But you want to be very, very careful when you store it. See below: The Task Force also reviewed a fire investigation report provided by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office of a fire that resulted in fatalities when a passenger vehicle carrying a family of five erupted into flames as it was being driven along a highway. The cause was listed as a half-full box of pool chemicals (determined to be calcium hypochlorite) and a petroleum-based engine cleaner “in close proximity [which] combined to ignite and cause a rapidly spreading fire.”9 The rapid fire development did not allow the passengers time for escape, and two children in the back seat burned to death, while the remaining passengers were hospitalized in serious condition. This investigation report clearly stated, “The fire was determined to be accidental … caused by an exothermic chemical reaction of cargo being transported by the owners of the vehicle. Gunk brand Engine Brite, Heavy Duty Engine Degreaser by Radiator Specialty Company and Shock-It brand, dry condensed pool chlorine (i.e., calcium hypochlorite) by Arch Chemical were the two chemicals identified as causing the exothermic reaction.”10 Fire investigators who combined the two chemicals in a field test confirmed the reaction and stated that the fire burned very intensely for about 20 seconds, followed by visible flames for 3 minutes, with visible smoldering for about 11 minutes thereafter.11 http://www.firemarshals.org/data/File/docs/cal_hypo_report_final.pdf In addition, you need to make sure you have appropriate gear on when you begin to mix it as it is extremely caustic. You need to have on long gloves that are acid proof prior to mixing. You also need to have on eye protection and be aware of fumes. Otherwise, it is, indeed, another way to purify water. |
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| Author: | L2L [ Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Long term solution to storing bleach for water purification |
Thanks ladies 
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| Author: | Lynnwood [ Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Long term solution to storing bleach for water purification |
GREAT INFO, thanks BB Safety Link posted in the main forum http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsh ... 29fact.pdf |
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| Author: | Grist von Zweifel [ Sat Jul 10, 2010 9:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Long term solution to storing bleach for water purification |
If I remember my 'military lore' correctly; because of the pervasive and lingering aftertaste of disinfectants in treated water (dating back to WWII) company cooks would add fruit preserves from the GIs' C rations and other unit kitchen issues to the outfit's water supplies. It was good for the outfit's morale to have water that didn't taste like the backside of a dip tank on a farm and was greatly appreciated by all. Keeping the chemical flavor factor in mind it seems to me a good idea to have both Brita type filters and Koolaid, or some other flavoring in your stash to lessen the disastrous event of having undrinkable or awful tasting drinking water due to too many chemical units. I lived on an aircraft carrier that made it's own water, which was pretty good considering the fate of smaller vessels in the fleet with older equipment, but we called our readily available drink-aid 'bug juice'. It makes things bearable when the best quality fluid tastes like the neighborhood pool. Just a thought. I keep ten or so packs in my stash (not nearly enough at five gallons, but more will require a storehouse of sugar to mix. Something to keep in mind when building your stash is that there will likely be stringent non-hoarding and non-blackmarket regulations put in place. Having large stashes of sugar etc will likely bring scrutiny or jealous neighbors down on your bliss. One other thought; purchase table salt. It, like so many other items in our easy and simple lifestyles of now will be very rare in the after. Salt is so necessary and those with a little extra will find themselves with a wonder bargaining produce. Money will be worthless likely, but salt, sugar, yeast, beans, grain, bullets, (i'm so sorry to say bullets, but true) will be the monetary system of the after. I love you all and wish the best and brightest for all. Please prosper and live well, Grist |
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| Author: | Bluebonnet [ Sun Jul 11, 2010 5:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Long term solution to storing bleach for water purification |
Grist  In all the years I've been prepping no one, and I mean no one, has ever mentioned adding fruit preserves to stale water to make it taste better. You, my friend, get the absolute gold star. Boiled water tastes - well, dead! This is a great idea to add some flavor and nutrients at the same time. For those of us who live in warmer climates, it also will add a touch of sugar to add back to what we are losing to the warm air.   
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