General Chat

that carry their water in containers, where not plumbed in..

For once I'm being serious....

we have a situation where we have to import water into our complex(no water laid on.) in white translucent/opaque 20/25 litre containers

this water is only for teamaking etc, ie is boiled first.......however I am concerned about storing water....
what do you use to sterilise the container? is it necessary?

I Have at times used a steamer to clean the container initially......but thinking of bacteria growth while in store/empty......

.. Milton's was suggested, but that I believe is for soaking utensils prior to use.

should I make up a solution and just slosh it around in the containers?

Bob, not sure of the ratio but chlorine based products e.g. bleach, can be used to sterilise water.

The heating process will destroy the chlorine.

When I was working in rural areas with no access to 'town' supplies, that was always recommended, and followed Health Dept of WA Guidelines.

Before the caravan season, make sure that the containers are sterilised prior to filling.

I'll see if I still have some info handy

Babies bottles are sterilised in Milton solution a good rinse is all that is needed

Bob, try these two sites



http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/4933/2/chlorinated%20drinking%20water%20finalv2.pdf


http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/1298/2/emergency_treatment_of_drinking_water_supplies.pdf

Many supermarkets have their own brand of sterilizing solution look in the baby products area. Own brands are cheaper.

If you are going away for some time and don't want to carry fluid because of weight some sterilizing products are in tablet form.

Go to a brew your own section in Boots or find a shop that does brew your own kits they should have solutions you could use.

:-)

thanks for the replies chaps,/esses
most welcome......

I maybe wasn't clear in my OP

its proper tap water we are using, it is while instore/empty containers I am really concerned with....


Bob

No problems,Bob :-D

Provided the containers are sterilised, as per the Milton or similar system, there should be enough residual chlorine in town supplies to ensure a safe supply.

The chlorine will dissipate over time, but water the would still be safe to drink. especially if boiled.

PatinCyprus's advice is very sound re the home brew sterilising supplies for the containers......just follow the instructions carefully

Bob, it would be interesting to know Why your complex has not water laid on,it seems rather odd.

I may be misreading what you are asking, do you mean that you are storing your empty containers over the winter and want to sterilise them before you use them again? If so then a solution of something like Milton would do the job if left in the container for up to 24 hrs then rinsed out with fresh water (boiled if possible). We used to do this when we had our van many years ago as it didn't have plumbing in it.
Sorry if this isn't what you meant.

We have water in containers on our yacht. I have just asked OH and he says that he tops them up at the beginning of each season, from a tap, and uses the water as required.

In 30 years the containers have never been sterilised and the water has never been boiled just for the sake of boiling.

So long as the water isn't contaminated when it is put in the containers and they are kept tightly closed, you should have no problem.

He says he knows one or two people who use purifying tablets, but the majority don't bother, and he has never heard of anyone having any trouble.

Thanks , for your interests. maybe I'm being over cautious.....
but yes agree that the containers must be clean before hand.
no long term storage.....
this water we use is only for teamaking and such, and we'd use maybe 20 litres a week.so two containers in rotation is about the norm..

thanks again,

Bob

.

got some Milton tablets.....
will give the drums a cleanout with those


did you get the Pm? Merlin..