Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Readymom
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Dry 68% Calcium Hypochlorite Granules

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From: How to Find Water and Make It Safe to Drink
Copyright © 1998, 2006 by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.

Dry 68% Calcium Hypochlorite Granules
https://grandpappy.org/hwater.htm

This is the shock treatment chemical used in swimming pools.
Kills Bacteria and Viruses.
Not effective against all Protozoa.
Does Not Neutralize Harmful Chemicals or Radioactive Particles.

The water should not be too cool. The water temperature should be ... ---CONTINUED ---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Original post by "MrDanB" at American Preppers Network:

I have a Berkey water system and love it, but it's not a fast unit and I may not always have it with me... I was looking for emergency water treatment online and came up with this:

Better than Bleach: Use Calcium Hypochlorite to Disinfect Water
http://readynutrition.com/resources/better-than-bleach-use-calcium-hypochlorite-to-disinfect-water_19062010/

June 19th, 2010
This article was originally posted at Survival Topics

Many ourdoorsmen, survivalists, and households preparing for emergency disasters rely upon common household bleach as a disinfecting agent to make water safe to drink.

Bleach will destroy most (but NOT all!) disease causing organisms (boiling water to make it safe to drink is always the best method).

What is not well known is Calcium Hypochlorite is far better for chemically disinfecting water. above --- CONTINUED---Copyright ReadyNutrition 2009, 2010. All Rights Reserved. -
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Roknrandy
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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A half teaspoon of Calcium Hypochlorite granules and a gallon of water will create a gallon of 6% bleach. Shake well several times during the resting time of 30 minutes. When you have created this solution then can use it as follows:

To use household bleach for disinfecting water add 2 drops of bleach per quart or 8 drops per gallon of water, stir well then let the mixture stand for 30 minutes before drinking.

Before drinking or cooking sniff test the water, a faint bleach smell should be present, if no bleach smell is present re-treat the water, wait 15 minutes and sniff test again. Repeat as necessary but normally one treatment works for clean water.

If the water is cloudy or muddy with suspended particles:
First filter the water as best you can then double the amount of bleach you add to the water, use 16 drops per gallon of water or 4 drops to 1 quart.

What you were reading above looks to create a concentrated bleach solution not standard bleach (3/4 cup of water)

The statement about the size of the period I believe would create a disinfecting solution not a sterilizing solution
Failure to prepare on your part does not constitute and emergency on my part
chris69
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

Post by chris69 »

definitely be careful with calcium hypo.. very easy to cause chemical reaction.. keep it away from any other chemicals.
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Chemical Treatment: calcium hypochlorite

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You can use granular calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water.
https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/emergency-disinfection-drinking-water

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.
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Letter Re: Storing Dry Hypochlorite Bleach
https://survivalblog.com/letter-re-storing-dry-hypochlo/

By James Wesley, Rawles on March 4, 2011 12:07 AM
Dear Mr. Rawles -
Regarding the recent post on "Forever Preps"....

"Forever Prep #3: “Dry” Bleach This has often been covered by various sources on SurvivalBlog, but so-called “dry” bleach (pure Calcium Hypochlorite) lasts forever. If you go a little crazy and buy two 25 pound boxes of it from a big box store, you can make a solution that can purify about 4 million gallons of water! And, by the way, this Forever Prep is also very cheap (about $45-$50 for 25 pounds) and takes almost no storage space.

You must . . . . ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Bleach Shortage? Here’s How to Make Bleach from Pool Shock (and How to Purify Water With It)
https://www.theorganicprepper.com/how-to-make-bleach-from-pool-shock/

(SNIP) ... you can make your own bleach with granular calcium hypochlorite, the primary component of typical pool shock. It’s essential to confirm that your pool shock is not contaminated by other chemicals, such as algicides. Only HTH is acceptable for purifying your water. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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I've seen both Sodium Hypochlorite and Calcium Hypochlorite mentioned in making bleach soloutions. Here's the difference between the two:

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Difference Between Sodium Hypochlorite And Calcium Hypochlorite
https://poolcareguy.com/sodium-hypochlorite-pool/

Both sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite are disinfectants, but the products are actually a little different.

Calcium hypochlorite, or cal-hypo, as it is often called, contains calcium, whereas sodium hypochlorite does not. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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How to Use Calcium Hypochlorite for Water Purification
https://thesurvivalmom.com/more-information-about-the-use-of-calcium-hypochlorite-for-water-purification/

When I was writing my book, Survival Mom, I was a real stickler for accuracy. Chapter 2 is all about water storage and purification, so I went to water expert Alan Martindale who is the Water Quality Supervisor for the City of Mesa in Arizona with all my unanswered questions about water safety.

I asked Alan about the use of calcium hypochlorite, aka pool shock, for purifying water because I wanted an expert to weigh in on this popular survival and prepper topic. I’ve written directions for its use in purifying water here.

Here is what Alan had to say: ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Calcium Hypochlorite for Treating Drinking Water, The Good and the Bad
https://preparednessadvice.com/calcium-hypochlorite-treating-drinking-water-good-bad/

For several years, I have seen many people recommending calcium hypochlorite for water purification. They are providing correct information in that calcium hypochlorite will treat water if used correctly. A pound of it will treat thousands of gallons of water and will cost you less than $10.

Before you rush out to buy some, I want to warn you about a few things that can get you into trouble or even killed.

Proper precautions must be taken while handling and storing calcium hypochlorite. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Calcium hypochlorite is a highly reactive material ... ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Disinfecting Water Using Calcium Hypochlorite
https://theprovidentprepper.org/disinfecting-water-using-calcium-hypochlorite/

(SNIP) ... The following is the EPA guidelines on using calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water.

You can use granular calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Safely Purify Water with Calcium Hypochlorite (+ Pros/Cons)
https://geekprepper.com/disinfect-water-with-calcium-hypochlorite/

Boiling your Water is the easiest way to make it safe. Bleach (ONLY Calcium Hypochlorite bleach) can also be used to make safe drinking water, but bleach has a shelf life of less than 2 years.

You can use the active ingredient from bleach and disinfect water with Calcium Hypochlorite. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Using Calcium Hypochlorite to Disinfect Water
https://preparednessadvice.com/using-calcium-hypochlorite-to-disinfect-water/

Personally, I avoid the use of all chlorines whenever possible. There are filters on my water system at home to eliminate it. I believe there are better ways of filtering or purifying water in an emergency.

But for the benefit of people who choose to use it. The following is the EPA guidelines on using calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water.

You can use granular calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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EMERGENCY DISINFECTION OF DRINKING WATER
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-09/documents/emergency_disinfection_of_drinking_water_sept2017.pdf

(See page 2 of the pdf file)

Granular calcium hypochlorite.The first step is to make a chlorine solution that you will use to disinfect your water.For your safety, do itin a ventilated area and wear eye protection. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Hat Tip: Image to Rick1, over at EHP-D:

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Pool Shock for Water Purification
https://www.instructables.com/Pool-Shock-for-water-Purification/

If 2 is one and one is none, than I need another means of water purification other than my ceramic water filter. I wanted something that stored indefinitely, was cheap, and most importantly kills all the bad junk in the water.

There are many preparedness blogs that discuss using hypochlorite to make bleach, but I had to wade through the differences between sodium and calcium hypochlorites and dosing amounts. I found the sources below and decided on this method. ---CONTINUED---
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Re: Water Purification: Calcium Hypochlorite/'Pool Shock'

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Hat Tip: Image to Rick1, over at EHP-D:

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET-Calcium Hypochlorite
https://commercialaquaticsupplies.com/MSDS%20calcium%20hypochlorite.pdf

Includes:
Chemical And Product And Company Information
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Hazard Identification
First Aid Measures
Fire Fighting
Accidental Release Measures
Handling and Storage
Personal Protection and Exposure Controls
Physical and Chemical Properties
Stability and Reactivity
Toxicological Information
Ecological Information
Disposal Consideration
Transportation Information
Regulatory Information
Other Information
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