How to Purify Water With Clorox

Purified water keeps you safe from bacteria.

When water is contaminated you can purify it. Purification can make the difference between potable water and a liquid that can make you sick. Drinking or bathing in contaminated water can cause nausea, vomiting, skin rash, dizziness and even death. Surface water from rivers and lakes can become contaminated by acid rain, storm or pesticide run off and industrial waste. Water is easily purified with bleach, when you do not have the resources to bring it to a rolling boil for two minutes or more.

Things You'll Need

• 1-gallon container
• Measuring spoons
• Clorox bleach
• Spoon

Instructions

1. Fill a one-gallon container with the water that needs to be purified.

2. Measure 1/8 teaspoon Clorox bleach. Pour it into the gallon of water, if the water comes from a faucet. Increase the amount of bleach to 1/4 teaspoon per gallon if the water collected is from the surface of a lake, pond, river or other outdoor water source.

3. Stir the bleach into the water, mixing well. Allow the Clorox bleach to purify the water for thirty minutes, if the water is from inside the house. Let is purify for one hour, if the water is from another source or appears cloudy.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use bleach that contains dyes or perfumes for water purification. Never use a container for water, which has been used for juice or milk. Residue can create bacteria. It is best to use clean soda or water bottles.

References

• Washington State Department of Health: Purifying Household Water
• Clorox: Fun Facts About Bleach