EMERGENCY Introduction METHOD OF EMERGENCY

DISINFECTION
DRINKING WATER
DISINFECTION
Waterborne illnesses are caused by
various bacteria, viruses, and
pathogenic microorganisms and
usually occur as a result of poorly
treated drinking water or a natural
disaster, like flooding. When
contaminants find their way into
drinking water sources and are not
When boiling is not practical, chemical
disinfection is an option to consider.
The two chemicals commonly used are
chlorine or iodine and are effective at
removing harmful pathogens. However,
Chlorine in water is effective more than
three times than bromine as a
disinfectant against Escherichia coli, and

Our Water eliminated by water treatment

processes, water can and does make
six times more effective than an
equivalent concentration of iodine. For

Our Future people sick. The supply and

availability of safe water is utmost
the purpose of chlorination, liquid
bleach, Chlorine Tablets and Granular
important during emergency Calcium or Sodium hypochlorite are
conditions to safe guard the public commonly used. Calcium hypochlorite is
health specifically in affected areas. one of the best chemical disinfectants for
Standard Protocols Several methods are used to treat water, better than household bleach by
for Disinfection of contaminated drinking water during far. It destroys a variety of disease
Drinking Water emergency situation causing organisms including bacteria,

During Disasters yeast, fungus, spores, and viruses. The

ability of chlorine to kill germs depends
Pakistan Council of
Research in Water on both the concentration of chlorine in
Resources the water and the amount of time that
Kheyaban-e-Johar, H-8/1, the chlorine has to react with
Islamabad, Pakistan microorganisms (contact time). A 1-
SAFE WATER FOR http://www.pcrwr.gov.pk
pound of Calcium hypochlorite in
A HEALTHY NATION granular form will treat up to 10,000
gallons of drinking water.
Prepared By:
Phone: 0092-51-9101274
Dr. Muhammad Aslam Tahir
Hifza Rasheed
 PREPARATION OF CHLORINE (CaH) solutions must be used immediately this connection and as a the WHO considers o It is strongly recommended to prepare
after making them, or at least no longer than that “A concentration of 0.5 mg/l of free separate bottles/containers of stock calcium
STOCK SOLUTION USING CALCIUM 24 hours after creating the solution. residual chlorine in the water after a 30 hypochlorite solution for single application.
HYPOCHLORITE minute contact period is a guarantee of
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS satisfactory disinfection”. o As exposure to air due to continuous
opening and closing of container/bottle will
 Keep in a narrow mouthed tightly closed
 Add and dissolve 7 grams (01 heaping container, store in a cool, dry, ventilated CHLORINE TESTING cause release of Chlorine and thus will
decrease the concentration in stock.
teaspoon) of granular calcium hypochlorite area, and utilize within 24 hours. The presence of free residual chlorine in
in 7.5 liters of water. The mixture will  Protect against physical damage and drinking water indicates that:
produce a stock chlorine solution of moisture and isolate from any source of heat
approximately 600 ppm, as the Calcium or ignition. 1. A sufficient amount of chlorine was
hypochlorite has available chlorine equal to  Avoid storage on wood floors. Keep added to the water to inactivate most
70% of its weight. separate from incompatibles, combustibles, of the bacteria and viruses that cause
organic or other readily oxidizable materials. diarrheal disease;
 To disinfect water, add the chlorine Containers of this material may be 2. The water is protected from
solution at the rate of 1.5 ml in one liter to hazardous when empty since they retain recontamination during transport to
achieve the target of 0.5 ppm free residual product residues (dust, solids).
chlorine approximately. Based on this, the home, and during storage of
further calculations can be made as water in the household.
Once stock solution of Calcium
following:
hypochlorite is made, it begins to degrade The presence of free residual chlorine in
Volume to be Volume of Calcium and eventually become useless as a drinking water indicates the likely absence of
treated hypochlorite Stock disinfecting agent if kept for prolonged disease-causing organisms; it is used as one
Solution Required time. measure of the potability of drinking water.
1 liter 1.5 ml Once the chlorine is added in the water to be
500 liters 0.75 liters CHLORINE DEMAND treated, the effectiveness of Chlorination is
1000 liters 1.5 liters tested as Free Residual Chlorine. In the field,
The chlorine dose is equivalent to the total Chlorine testing of stock and diluted solution
10,000 liters 15 liters
demand for chlorine (which is closely linked is performed with Chlorine Testing Kit, which
12,000 liters 18 liters to the chemical and microbiological quality of
15,000 liters 22.5 liters is Color Comparator based. The procedure of
the water) plus the amount of residual chlorine using this Color Comparator is given as a four
20,000 liters 30 liters expected at the end of the water system. steps figure. This color comparator does not
Before starting the disinfection process, it is require calibration as this is validated with
TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF advisable to conduct an instant chlorine APHA Standard Method (4500-Cl-G) to
CONCENTRATED CHLORINE SOLUTION consumption test known as a “Chlorine compare the accuracy and reliability.
Demand Test” Comparison of results of both has shown a
As dried form, Calcium hypochlorite can be very little difference, which is acceptable.
stored for a long period of time and will
remain effective. However, it loses 3-5% of its
chlorine content per year in normal storage in REMEDIAL MESAURES FOR FREE
dried form. It lasts far longer and treats far RESIDUAL CHLORINE LEVEL BELOW
more water than the traditional chlorine bleach 0.5 ppm
water disinfection treatment. Calcium EFFECTIVE CHLORINATION CRITERIA o Before chlorination, Free Residual Chlorine
hypochlorite as liquid, solutions should be The size of the chlorine dose will be obtained of stock solution should be tested to
prepared with soft water. In the solution form, by studying the chlorine demand and the calculate the required volume of chlorine
it should be stored in air tight containers at expected concentration of residual chlorine, as stock solution for water to be treated.
well ventilated place. Calcium hypochlorite usually defined by water quality standards. In