[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Bleach in Storage Water

Posted: 1/3/2016 11:20:48 PM EDT

Howdee SF Hive....

For me to store untreated well water in 35 / 55 gal barrels, how much bleach do I need to add??

I am sure Clorox recommends so drops per gallon, but what does that translate to in larger amounts?
Can someone please advise?

Many thanks!
-CG

Posted: 1/3/2016 11:22:26 PM EDT

[#1]

I add 1/4 teaspoon per 5 gallons.

Posted: 1/3/2016 11:23:52 PM EDT

[#2]

8 drops per gallon is normally good.

Posted: 1/3/2016 11:42:16 PM EDT

[#3]

I use a small syringe.... the typical conversion rate is 20 drops per milliliter...I use the 8 drops / gallon recommendation so 2 ml for a 20 liter (approx. 5 gal) Scepter container

Posted: 1/7/2016 1:46:23 AM EDT

[#4]

Any ideas as to how long the water would last / still remain potable?

Posted: 1/7/2016 2:20:13 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

Howdee SF Hive....

For me to store untreated well water in 35 / 55 gal barrels, how much bleach do I need to add??

I am sure Clorox recommends so drops per gallon, but what does that translate to in larger amounts?

Can someone please advise?

Many thanks!

-CG

View Quote

Duh. multiply the drops per gallon by 35/55.

Unless you took common core in high school.

Then you are fucked.

Common core does not know about bleach.

Or survival.

Posted: 1/7/2016 7:30:09 AM EDT

[#6]

I'll add one thing to this. Clorox recommends a higher amount of bleach than I would personally use for storing clean well water. I've tried the recommended amount and the water had a strong bleach smell after a year. I use a lot less now and I can still smell some bleach after 2 years of storage. I've drank the water after 2 years stored and it was fine. If I wasn't sure of the water quality I'd use more.

Posted: 1/7/2016 7:35:23 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:

Any ideas as to how long the water would last / still remain potable?

View Quote

Personally I think it will not go bad if stored in a good container in a dark cool place like a basement, but I usually rotate mine every year. I've gone 2 years with no problems.

Posted: 1/7/2016 8:30:09 AM EDT

[#8]

There's a basic principle in water storage.

There's no such thing as emasculate conception in water. Life is not going to magically appear so pure water has an indefinite storage life.

That being said, achieving that pure status, short of heating up everything or using radiation is pretty darn hard. A lot of microbes especially aerobic (no oxygen) come from spores and spores are very difficult to destroy. Now its not hopeless.

What's typically recommended is periodically ( I do twice a year) you jostle your water containers. The idea is to regasify the water, put the gases like oxygen and in the case of bleach chlorine back into the water. It'll make you appreciate the newer storage techniques like bladders but its quite effective.

The real trick is to treat your water like a #10 can of Mountain House. Don't open it till you need to use it then when you do use it all.

The number 1 source of contamination is still exposure and that's simply a way for the germs to get in.

Tj

Posted: 1/7/2016 9:30:07 AM EDT

[#9]

Just want to add one thing. Pay attention when you're buying bleach as they have gone to adding stuff to some of it to make it "splash proof".

Unless they changed the labels recently, it's not all that apparent if you casually grab a jug off the shelf.

I found out the hard way when I grabbed a gallon off the shelf, drove to my cabin and started to pour it down the well.

My wife would have probably noticed, but I don't buy it all that often.

Posted: 1/7/2016 12:03:49 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'll add one thing to this. Clorox recommends a higher amount of bleach than I would personally use for storing clean well water. I've tried the recommended amount and the water had a strong bleach smell after a year. I use a lot less now and I can still smell some bleach after 2 years of storage. I've drank the water after 2 years stored and it was fine. If I wasn't sure of the water quality I'd use more.

View Quote

Open the container when ready to use and let it air for about 30 minutes and check again. What you are smelling is what is called free chlorine. The chlorine that didn't get used. That is a good thing. It will dissipate once it is aired out.

Posted: 1/7/2016 12:09:04 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

Just want to add one thing. Pay attention when you're buying bleach as they have gone to adding stuff to some of it to make it "splash proof".

Unless they changed the labels recently, it's not all that apparent if you casually grab a jug off the shelf.

I found out the hard way when I grabbed a gallon off the shelf, drove to my cabin and started to pour it down the well.

My wife would have probably noticed, but I don't buy it all that often.

View Quote

They are adding a thickening agent to prevent splash. I have no idea what the agent is. Also beware of perfumes added as well.

Posted: 1/7/2016 12:35:05 PM EDT

[#12]

They skirt the issue on their web sight.

It says:

Can Clorox® Regular-Bleach be used to disinfect water?

Yes, Clorox® Regular-Bleach can be used to disinfect water.

View Quote

Remove suspended particles by filtering or letting particles settle to the bottom.

Pour off clear water into a clean container.

Add 12 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of Clorox® Regular-Bleach (not scented
or Clorox® Plus® bleaches) to two gallons of water (2 drops to 1 quart).
For cloudy water, use 24 drops per two gallons of water (3 drops to 1
quart).

Allow the treated water to stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a
slight bleach odor. If not, repeat and wait another 15 minutes. The
treated water can then be made palatable by pouring it between clean
containers several times.

But I don't know if the splashless stuff is considered to be Regular-Bleach now.

No, it is not the same as splashless. I finally found the two listed.

I am trying to get the MSDS to see what they are using.

.

https://www.clorox.com/clorox-faqs/

Posted: 1/7/2016 12:40:22 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
They skirt the issue on their web sight.
It says:

Remove suspended particles by filtering or letting particles settle to the bottom.
Pour off clear water into a clean container.
Add 12 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of Clorox® Regular-Bleach (not scented or Clorox® Plus® bleaches) to two gallons of water (2 drops to 1 quart). For cloudy water, use 24 drops per two gallons of water (3 drops to 1 quart).
Allow the treated water to stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat and wait another 15 minutes. The treated water can then be made palatable by pouring it between clean containers several times.

But I don't know if the splashless stuff is considered to be Regular-Bleach now.
No, it is not the same as splashless. I finally found the two listed.
I am trying to get the MSDS to see what they are using.
.

https://www.clorox.com/clorox-faqs/

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
They skirt the issue on their web sight.
It says:

Can Clorox® Regular-Bleach be used to disinfect water?

Yes, Clorox® Regular-Bleach can be used to disinfect water.

Remove suspended particles by filtering or letting particles settle to the bottom.
Pour off clear water into a clean container.
Add 12 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of Clorox® Regular-Bleach (not scented or Clorox® Plus® bleaches) to two gallons of water (2 drops to 1 quart). For cloudy water, use 24 drops per two gallons of water (3 drops to 1 quart).
Allow the treated water to stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a slight bleach odor. If not, repeat and wait another 15 minutes. The treated water can then be made palatable by pouring it between clean containers several times.

But I don't know if the splashless stuff is considered to be Regular-Bleach now.
No, it is not the same as splashless. I finally found the two listed.
I am trying to get the MSDS to see what they are using.
.

https://www.clorox.com/clorox-faqs/

I called their hot line after I poured most of it in the well. After a bunch of time on hold (because the person had no clue) I was told it wasn't to be used for water disinfectant. They didn't want to expand on it.