1. What is a Bleach to Water Ratio Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the amount of bleach needed to achieve a specific chlorine concentration in drinking water.

Purpose: It helps ensure safe drinking water by calculating the correct bleach-to-water ratio for disinfection.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( V_{bleach} \) — Volume of bleach needed (liters)
• \( desired_{ppm} \) — Desired chlorine concentration (parts per million)
• \( V_{total} \) — Total volume of water to treat (liters)
• \( stock_{ppm} \) — Chlorine concentration in stock bleach (ppm)

Explanation: The formula calculates the bleach volume needed to achieve the desired chlorine concentration in the given water volume.

3. Importance of Proper Chlorination

Details: Correct chlorination ensures water safety by killing pathogens while avoiding excessive chlorine that could be harmful.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Typical desired concentration: 2-4 ppm for drinking water
• Standard household bleach is about 50,000 ppm (5-6% sodium hypochlorite)
• For emergency disinfection, CDC recommends 8 drops (0.5 mL) of 6% bleach per gallon (3.78 L) of water

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a safe chlorine level for drinking water?
A: 2-4 ppm is generally safe. Up to 4 ppm is EPA's maximum for drinking water.

Q2: How long should I wait after adding bleach?
A: Wait at least 30 minutes before drinking to ensure proper disinfection.

Q3: Does this work with all types of bleach?
A: Only use unscented, plain chlorine bleach (5-6% sodium hypochlorite). Avoid scented or splashless varieties.

Q4: What if my bleach concentration is different?
A: Adjust the stock concentration value. Industrial bleach may be 10-12% (100,000-120,000 ppm).

Q5: How do I measure small bleach quantities?
A: Use the mL result for small volumes. 1 mL = 20 drops (approximately).