Virginia Cooperative Extension
After
a major storm you must assume that all water sources are contaminated
until proven safe. Purify all water used for drinking, cooking
and for washing eating and cooking utensils. Also purify the
water used for washing hands, body and kitchen and bathroom
surfaces.
Do not
use water that has a dark color, an odor, or contains floating
material.
To
disinfect water, use ONE of the following methods:
- Boil
at a rolling boil for 10 minutes.
- Add
eight drops of liquid chlorine bleach (such as Clorox) per
gallon of water. Make sure the bleach has no active ingredient
other than 4 percent to 6 percent sodium hypochlorite.
- Add
20 drops of 2 percent iodine per gallon of clear water or
40 drops per gallon of cloudy water.
- Add
water purification tablets according to directions on the
package. These tablets can be bought at most drug and sporting
goods stores.
Thoroughly
mix these solutions and let the water stand for at least 30
minutes before using. To lessen the flat taste of boiled water,
pour the water back and forth several times between two clean
containers.
Always
use clean or purified water to wash any parts of the body
that have come in contact with surfaces contaminated by flood
waters.
Water
in water pipes and toilet flush tanks (not bowls) is safe
to drink if the valve on the main water line was closed before
the flood.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
Based on
information developed by Clemson Cooperative Extension following
Hurricane Hugo. Revised for Virginia audiences by Virginia Cooperative
Extension.
For
more information, contact your local office of Virginia Cooperative
Extension.
Publication
Number
490-301
,
August 1996
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