Purifying water, including boiling, using purification kits or using household chemicals such as bleach can remove unwanted bacteria from most water, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services.

Water contaminated with hazardous chemicals should not be purified using these messages.

Boiling

Water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute and be cooled before dispensing into a clean container. Water that is cloudy should be boiled from 3 to 5 minutes. If your community is under a boil-water advisory, follow the local health department’s recommendations.Water-Purification Kits

Water-purification range from chemical disinfectants (liquid or pellets) to water filtration devices and are generally designed for small quantities of water.

Household Chemicals

Household chemicals, such as bleach and iodine, if used properly, can purify water but it may have an odor or taste.

Chlorine bleach: Read the label to be sure that sodium hypochlorite is the only active ingredient. Do not use bleach solutions that contain detergents or other chemical components. Also do not use if the containter has a label warning not for personal use.

Iodine tablets and liquid iodine: In general, iodine is not as effective as chlorine bleach and should only be used when chlorine is not available. It can cause a different taste and a brown tint to water.


Purifying Water

1. Add the recommended level of the chemical, based on the below table, using a clean, uncontaminated medicine dropper or suitable utensil.

Volume of Water
Recommended Amount
Chlorine Bleach Iodine Tablet Tincture of Iodine
1 quart (1 liter) 4 drops 2 tablets 1/2 drop
½ gallon (2 liters) 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon) 4 tablets 1 drop
1 gallon (4 liters) 16 drops (¼ teaspoon) 8 tablets 2 drops

2. Stir the chemical thoroughly into the water and let it sit for 30 minutes.

3. If the water does not have a faint chemical smell after 30 minutes, add another dose and let it sit for an additional 15 minutes. Or, if the water is cloudy, repeat the procedure.

4. Dispense into a clean, sanitized and tightly capped container.