Treating Water with Bleach 27 Jul 07 Liquid chlorine laundry bleach may be used to treat water, it's usually more effective when using warm water. Once added shake well and allow to stand for 30 minutes before drinking. [NOTE: do not use scented laundry bleach, powdered bleach, or swimming pool chlorine; these contain additional chemicals that are poisonous] Amount of Water      Amount of bleach to      Amount of bleach to        Add to clear water      Add to cloudy water   1 gallon      8 drops      16 drops 5 gallons      ½ teaspoon      1 teaspoon [NOTE: Bleach does not kill off Giardia or Cryptosporidium parasites. The amount of bleach needed to kill these parasites makes the water undrinkable. If these parasites are suspected boiling is the best way to ensure this water is safe to drink] Boiling is known to kill all pathogens, including viruses. Bring water to a rolling boil and maintain for at least ten minutes. For every 1000 feet above sea level, add one minute of boiling to the initial ten minutes. Ultimate Water Treatment FAQ http://www.1stconnect.com/anozira/SiteTops/water/waterFAQ.htm http://www.bchealthguide.org/healthfiles/hfile49b.stm