Chapter 26 · Printable appendices
F. Conversion tables and bleach dosing for water
In this section (3)
Temperature
°C = (°F − 32) × 5 ÷ 9 · °F = °C × 9 ÷ 5 + 32
| °F | °C | °F | °C | °F | °C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| −10 | −23 | 50 | 10 | 98.6 | 37 (normal body temperature) |
| 0 | −18 | 60 | 16 | 100 | 38 |
| 20 | −7 | 70 | 21 | 104 | 40 |
| 32 | 0 (freezes) | 80 | 27 | 110 | 43 |
| 40 | 4 | 90 | 32 | 115 | 46 |
| 45 | 7 | 95 | 35 | 212 | 100 (boils, sea level) |
Volume, distance, and weight
| Gallons | Liters | Miles | Kilometers | Ounces (weight) | Grams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ½ | 1.9 | 1 | 1.6 | 1 | 28 |
| 1 | 3.8 | 3 | 4.8 | 2 | 57 |
| 2 | 7.6 | 5 | 8.0 | 4 | 113 |
| 5 | 18.9 | 10 | 16.1 | 8 | 227 |
| 12 | 45.4 | 25 | 40.2 | 12 | 340 |
| 28 | 106 | 50 | 80.5 | 16 (1 lb) | 454 |
| 55 (drum) | 208 | 100 | 161 | 35.3 | 1,000 (1 kg) |
Useful equivalents: 1 quart = 0.95 L · 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 237 mL · 1 fluid ounce = 30 mL · 1 teaspoon = 5 mL · 1 tablespoon = 15 mL · 1 foot = 0.30 m · 1 yard = 0.91 m · 1 pound = 0.45 kg.
Bleach for disinfecting water (EPA)
Use only household bleach that is unscented, with no "color-safe" formula or additives, at 6% or 8.25% sodium hypochlorite (check the label). If the water is cloudy, let it settle and strain it through a clean cloth or coffee filter before adding bleach.
| Volume of water | Bleach 6% | Bleach 8.25% |
|---|---|---|
| 1 quart or 1 liter | 2 drops | 2 drops |
| 1 gallon (3.8 L) | 8 drops | 6 drops |
| 2 gallons (7.6 L) | 16 drops (¼ teaspoon) | 12 drops (⅛ teaspoon) |
| 4 gallons (15 L) | ⅓ teaspoon | ¼ teaspoon |
| 8 gallons (30 L) | ⅔ teaspoon | ½ teaspoon |
- Double the dose if the water is cloudy, colored, or very cold.
- Stir and wait 30 minutes. It should smell slightly of bleach.
- If it does not smell, repeat the dose and wait another 15 minutes.
- If it tastes too much of bleach, pour it back and forth between clean containers several times and let it sit for a few hours.
Alternative: boil at a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (3 minutes above 6,500 feet / 1,981 m; 2 minutes if your water company issues a boil-water notice). More methods: see chapter 3.
