H20 - Continued

How do I clean water?
1 - Clarify
Strain out any debris by using a coffee filter, layers of paper towels, tightly woven cloth or commercial water filter bags.

2 - Disinfect
Boil, pasteurize, distill, solar, iodine, silver and chlorine are all ways to disinfect (I do not list bleach because you get more cleaners and fragrance than you get disinfectant.)
Boiling - Full rolling boil for 15 minutes (you will need a way to bring to a boil.)

Pasterize - Water at 160 degrees for 20 minutes.

Solar - Fill small transparent container 3/4 fill and shake for 20 seconds, finish filling. Place in direct sunlight for 5-6 hours, increase to 2 days if heavy cloud cover. (This will not remove chemicals, tastes, or smells and will not treat large volumes.)

Iodine - Comes in different solutions - follow the instructions on what you buy. The amount needed varies with the water's temperature, PH and strength of the iodine. (Not recommended for pregnant women or long term use.)

(Colloidal) Silver - is antimicrobial and will treat water, but not all colloidal silver solutions are the same, so read the label.

(Powdered) Chlorine - (Sodium Dichloro-s-triazinetrione) a powdered bleach that stores from 10-12 years. Must be 99% Sodium Dichloro-s-triazinetrione (check the label). This is powerful stuff, use with care. 1/4 tsp. treats a 55 gallon drum (I said it was powerful). A slight chlorine smell should be present 24 hours after, if not, repeat the process.


In any/all of these methods always remember to clarify first.