Hello JWR,
I can’t thank you enough for your most fantastic Survival Blog. The information you have provided is priceless.
I purchased 500 grams of Calcium Hypochlorite from ScienceLab.com. for $118. I bought this to sanitize water for drinking. Can you please tell me how much Calcium Hypochlorite to add to a gallon of water? Thank you very much.
Best wishes, – Linda H.
JWR Replies: You only need about 1/4 teaspoon of Calcium Hypochlorite powder for each 55 gallons. For infrequent use (in emergencies), with 500 grams you now have a enough for decades.
To use it in small batches, you should first create a concentrated solution by dissolving 1/8th teaspoon–shaking a half quart of water in a one-quart jar with a tight fitting lid. Then mix that concentrated bleach solution into a 20 to 30 gallon drum of water.
For some details on the subject of water purification (including several different methods including plain liquid bleach like Clorox and hypochlorite powder), see the LDS Prep web site
Be advised the vapors from Calcium Hypochlorite are corrosive, so it it best to store the powder in a glass jar with a tapered glass stopper, and FAR AWAY from metal tools or storage foods.