Is it time to treat your stored water?

[Evolver]

If you store water from the tap you should change it out every six months.
If you treat your stored water you should treat it every six months.

Water treatment.

16 drops of non scented and non out of date bleach per gal (1⁄8 teaspoon)

Pool shock, http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/faq/emerg.html

You can use granular calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water.
Add and dissolve one heaping teaspoon of high-test granular calcium hypochlorite (approximately ¼ ounce) for each two gallons of water, or 5 milliliters (approximately 7 grams) per 7.5 liters of water. The mixture will produce a stock chlorine solution of approximately 500 milligrams per liter, since the calcium hypochlorite has available chlorine equal to 70 percent of its weight. To disinfect water, add the chlorine solution in the ratio of one part of chlorine solution to each 100 parts of water to be treated. This is roughly equal to adding 1 pint (16 ounces) of stock chlorine to each 12.5 gallons of water or (approximately ½ liter to 50 liters of water) to be disinfected. To remove any objectionable chlorine odor, aerate the disinfected water by pouring it back and forth from one clean container to another.

Add to this with correct ways of treating stored water.

[Grumpy Old Man]

I have 6 one pound packs of pool shock, which I figure, for me, is a lifetime supply. Also, because I pre-condition my containers (sterilize) and use filtered water I get a couple of years before any other treatment is necessary. But then I am continually using my stored water and replenishing it.

[Grumpy Old Man]

EPA pdf link

http://water.epa.gov/aboutow/ogwdw/upload/2006_09_14_faq_fs_emergency-disinfection-drinkingwater-2006.pdf

[Evolver]

EPA pdf link

http://water.epa.gov/aboutow/ogwdw/upload/2006_09_14_faq_fs_emergency-disinfection-drinkingwater-2006.pdf

This is a great pdf link! Yeah the thing I like about pool shock (Calcium Hypochlorite) is that it has a indefinite shelf life but I will add extreme care need to be taken when mixing. Mix in a well ventilated area and avoid at all cost breathing the vapors when mixing.

Also... Bleach has a shorter shelf life that some might think so if you like to use bleach check the date on your jug. 6 times out of ten its already expired. (wink)

[izzyscout21]

thanks for posting this. I always forget what the treatment to water ratio is

[Evolver]

At your service! :) http://www.cchrint.org/images/promo/salute.jpg

[Evolver]

Bump

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Along with changing you smoke detector batteries when the times change you could treat your stored water too. :)

[Grumpy Old Man]

Evolver you beat me to it! But I also rotate my water at this time as well, if it's been in storage more than 1 year. I use it to water plants mostly. It also gives me an opportunity to inspect my storage containers and do any cleaning and sterilizing as necessary.