Treating Drinking Water

If you have doubts about the quality of water, treat it before drinking.

Water Purification

Water can be purified for drinking, cooking and medical use by heating it to a rolling boil for 1 minute or by using water purification tablets or liquid bleach.

Liquid Bleach (unscented)

Following the ratios in the tables below, add bleach to the water and let it stand for 30 minutes.  If the solution does not smell or taste of bleach, add another 6 drops of bleach and let the solution stand for 15 minutes before consuming/using.

These ratios are for normal bleach solutions (4% - 6% chlorine).  Adjust ratios as necessary if using higher concentration solutions.

Use only purified water on wounds.  The use of other solutions(e.g., hydrogen peroxide) on wounds must be the decision of trained medical personnel.

Information obtained from Salt Lake CERT Field Operations Guide.