TheVermont Department of Health recommends that if drinking water might be contaminated, "boil for one minute all water used for drinking; making ice, juice or baby formula; and for washing fruits and vegetables." If the water is turbid, that is, cloudy, the boil should be increased to five minutes.
If the water is clear, and boiling is not possible, common household chlorine bleach can be used to "protect against most, but not all, disease-causing organisms." Bleach is added to produce 2 parts per million chlorine, according to the following table:
| Water Volume | Liquid Bleach |
|---|---|
| 1 gallon | 5 drops |
| 10 gallons | 1/2 teaspoon |
| 50 gallons | 2 teaspoons |
| 100 gallons | 1 tablespoon |
| 500 gallons | 5 tablespoons |
| 1000 gallons | 3/4 cup |
To remove mold from hard, nonporous surfaces, use 1 1/2 cups of bleach in one gallon of water, or one part bleach to 9 parts of water. See this Vermont Health Department page for further information.
It is especially important to keep bleach away from small children, and to avoid mixing it with other household cleaners.