How to Purify Water With Javex Bleach

In emergency situations, bleach can be used to kill microbes and parasites in non-filtered or non-purified water. Boiling the water is the best method, but you can also use liquid Javex bleach to kill bacteria and make water drinkable. Follow these steps to make a 5 to 6 percent bleach solution and purify water safely:

Things You'll Need

• Bleach
• Measuring equipment
• Clean storage container

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Let the contaminated water sit in a storage container. Loose particles will settle on the bottom of the container.

• 2

  Filter the water through a coffee filter if it is especially cloudy; paper towels or cheese cloths will work as well.

• 3

  Pour the water into a new container.

• 4

  Add liquid, unscented bleach to the water per the following measurements: three drops of bleach per quart of water or eight drops of bleach (1/8 tsp.) per gallon of water or 1/2 tsp. bleach per 5 gallons of water.

  If the water is still cloudy, double the dosages.

• 5

  Mix well and let it sit for 30 minutes. If the water was cloudy or very cold, let it sit for an hour.

• 6

  Repeat the dose if the water does not have a slight chlorine odor. Let it sit 15 minutes.

• 7

  Pour the sanitized water into a clean container.