Hurricane Response Guide for Environmental Public Health Professionals
Disinfecting Water with Unscented Household Liquid Chlorine Cloudy Water: 1. Filter through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter, or allow it to settle. 2. Draw off clear water. 3. Follow instructions on the bleach container label for disinfecting drinking water.
4. If no instructions are present, check the “Active Ingredient” part of the label to find the sodium hypochlorite percentage and use the information in the table* below as a guide. Add the appropriate amount of bleach using a medicine dropper, teaspoon, or metric measure (milliliters/mL). 5. Stir the mixture well. 6. Let stand for at least 30 minutes. 7. Store disinfected water in clean, sanitized containers with tight covers. Clear Water: 1. Follow instructions on the bleach container label for disinfecting drinking water. 2. If no instructions are present, check the “Active Ingredient” part of the label to find the sodium hypochlorite percentage and use the information in the table* below as a guide. Add the approved amount using a medicine dropper, teaspoon, or metric measure (milliliters/mL). 3. Stir the mixture well. 4. Let stand for at least 30 minutes. 5. Store disinfected water in clean, sanitized containers with tight covers.
Concentration of Sodium Hypochlorite
1 Quart/Liter Water 1 Gallon of Water
5 Gallons of Water
5% - 6%
2 drops / 0.1mL / Not measurable by tea- spoon 2 drops / 0.1mL / Not measurable by tea- spoon
8 drops / 0.5 mL / slightly less than 1 / 8 teaspoon 6 drops / 0.5 mL / slightly less than 1 / 8 teaspoon
40 drops / 2.5 mL / 1 / 2 teaspoon
8.25%
30 drops / 2.0 mL / 1 / 3 teaspoon
Cleaning Water Containers 1. Mix soap and clean water in container 2. Shake or stir to clean the inside of the container 3. Rinse container 4. Mix 1 teaspoon (~5 mL) bleach per 1 cup (240 mL) water and pour it into the container 5. Cover the container and shake so that the solution touches all inside surfaces 6. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes 7. Rinse container with clean water Cleaning and Disinfecting Water Storage Tanks and Tankers 1. Drain any remaining liquid from the tank and dispose of it safely. 2. Clean the tank’s interior using a mixture of detergent and hot water, scrubbing all surfaces with a stiff brush or high-pressure sprayer. 3. Calculate the tank’s volume to determine the amount of chlorine needed for disinfection. 4. Wash and flush the tank with a high-pressure hose or water jet or fill it with hot water and let it stand for a few hours. 5. Drain and dispose of the water safely, continuing to flush until no traces of detergent remain. 6. Clean the hoses, pumps, and pipes used for filling and emptying the tank by flushing a mixture of hot water and detergent through them, followed by flushing with clean water.
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