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I do have a book here that says it's good for emergency treatment of unsafe water. Making the Best of the Basics by James T. Stevens. It's called the Basic Bleach Method. Household bleach containing Sodium Hypochlorite 5.25% solution without soap additives or phosphates and the Sodium Hypochlorite should be the only active ingredient!

1 gal of clear water 8 drops
1 gal of cloudy water16 drops
5 gals of clear water1/2 teaspoon
5 gals of cloudy water1 teaspoon

As you can see it's only a very very small amount of bleach, and as I said this is for emergency treatment.

Offered by Jon.

In Woodbadge training for Boy Scout Leadership, we learned that 4 drops of chlorine bleach per qt. of drinking water will kill all bacteria and virus.

Offered by Laura.

Below is a reprint of a Sightings Article.

Offered by Steve.

Water Purification Using Clorox Bleach - New Information
Red Cross, July 17, 2000

The Red Cross National Headquarters has received inquiries from the public about the fact that the Clorox Company is introducing a new product, "Clorox Ultra", which increases the concentration of Sodium Hypochlorite from 5-1/4% to 6%, and adds Sodium Hydroxide to the mix, which has not been in Clorox before. They are doing this to reduce the size of the containers and in response to market research. They are introducing "Clorox Ultra" slowly across the country, starting in the West and Midwest. It will be on the East Coast by fall. They will completely eliminate offering the "old" Clorox bleach upon introduction of the "new" Clorox Ultra.

However, a Clorox representative stated that the new formula has been tested and is safe to use to treat water at home. The only reason why it has not been approved by the EPA for use is simply that the company has not completed that process yet. (It takes a long, long time for all that paperwork.)

The recommendation to use for water treatment remains the same:

  1. Filter out/remove any solid impurities.
  2. Add 16 drops of the bleach per gallon of water and stir. This is the same recommendation for either the 5-1/4% or 6% concentration.
  3. Let stand 30 minutes.
  4. If it smells slightly of chlorine, you can use it.
  5. If it does not smell of chlorine, add another 16 drops and wait another 30 minutes.
  6. If it still does not smell of chlorine after two doses, discard it and find other water.

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