[ExecuteQuery]

Hi,

A thought occurred to me recently that I have hundreds of gallons of water in the pool. So naturally, I wonder, is it potable? Would boiling remove any harmful chemicals? Is there some other type of treatment that may be used?

Just curious.

 

[Ghostrider247]

I have always been told that pool water is NOT potable, due to the heavy amounts of chlorine and chemicals ususally used to keep them clean. However, you can use the water for other things such as cleaning and washing clothes.

 

[Big Eye]

Why not rig plastic sheeting over it and build your own giant solar still ?

It would need to be attended regularly but the project is doable.

 

[trixie]

i think it is drinkable once the chemical levels disapate. thats why you have to keep adding chlorine and "shock". just dont add it and the water should become drinkable. use your ph tester to see where its at. but thats just my opinion, ive swallowed lots of pool water and never gotten a tummy ache, lol.

 

[Herne]

Here's an Aussie site I found with plenty of info and PDF files on potable water quality etc. I was actually looking for the Australia/NZ Standard on Water Potability, which of course you have to buy from the Gubberment.

http://www.waterquality.crc.org.au/aboutdw_dwfacts.htm

I was thinking the CDC might have something useful as well?

HTH :

 

[535]

I have a rather large pool myself 40,000 gallons or so. Now if you can distill the water it is perfectly fit to drink.

Now how this works.
1. take bucket one and fill PVC tube full of water (bucket 1 is your dirty water bucket) Make sure you place some kind of valve in the pipe to get water in and out, you can even just use one valve and flip it over.
2. use bucket 1 to fill pressure cooker to 3/4 mark (I have a 7 gal cooker, I'll fill it to 5 gal.
3. Light stove
4. water is turned to steam in cooker, steam passes through the coil and into the cooling tube where it re-condenses back to water and falls into bucket #2 which is the "clean water" bucket that now contains clean distilled water. Store in correct container.
5. drain cooling tube, place that water into the cooker, refill cooling tube with dirty water and repeat. You don't waste any water b/c you're using the dfirty water to cool the steam then distilling the dirty water into clean water.

With this setup you can distill floodwater or even greywater and get clean drinkable water free of all contaminates.

 

[Trajan4212]

Pool water is my back-up as well. Yes, it's potable. The chlorine will keep down bacteria. Higher chlorine levels could cause diarrhea, though.

Here's what to do. Get a bottle of sodium thiosulfate. It neutralizes chlorine in water. Just 3 or 4 drops per gallon of pool water. Also a good idea to then run the pool water through any type of drinking water filter.

 

[ExecuteQuery]

Great replies folks. This site is awesome, and this community is full of smart, helpful people.

My thanks.

 

[535]

Pool water is my back-up as well. Yes, it's potable. The chlorine will keep down bacteria. Higher chlorine levels could cause diarrhea, though.

Here's what to do. Get a bottle of sodium thiosulfate. It neutralizes chlorine in water. Just 3 or 4 drops per gallon of pool water. Also a good idea to then run the pool water through any type of drinking water filter.

What about the dissolved cyanuric acid (stabilizer) chronic consumption causes insoluble kidney stones that can lead to kidney failure. Not to mention the herbicides to prevent algae growth...

 

[Trajan4212]

What about the dissolved cyanuric acid (stabilizer) chronic consumption causes insoluble kidney stones that can lead to kidney failure. Not to mention the herbicides to prevent algae growth...

That's why you run it through a filter. Or boil it first and then run it through a filter. There really shouldn't be enough stabilizer in your pool water to cause any damage. And if you stop adding it, normal sunlight will act to destroy it within a week.

Chronic Toxicity: based on data from toxicological investigations, cyanuric
acid does not result in direct target organ damage. Damage to the kidneys and bladder has been observed in rats when these animals are provided a saturated solution (5375 ppm) of cyanuric acid for their drinking water. During
excretion of high amounts by the kidney, stones of cyanuric acid can form
(calculi) resulting in mechanical damage which is secondary to stone
formation. This effect would not pose a risk to humans during manufacturing,
use as a disinfectant in swimming pools, and even in consumption of dilute
solutions (1-10 ppm) of cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid is excreted unchanged
rapidly via the kidneys. It lacks the potential to bioaccumulate in the body.

Same with algae killer. Don't put any in the pool for a week or so.

 

[Elliott]

Don't forget your hot water heater as well. Makes a nice 75 gallon or whatever size you have storage tank. If the water facility that feeds your house is bad you will need to shut your main off or it will contaminate it though.

 

[phoenixlink]

pool water inst safe evein with chlorine removed.

you average pool will have. chlorine, hydrocloric acid. sunscreen( for the pool). and depending on your locations. softeners, stabalizers ect. not to mention all the alge, and such

a saltwater pool can be fixed. a bit easier but still full filtration is required.

 

[Trajan4212]

pool water inst safe evein with chlorine removed.

you average pool will have. chlorine, hydrocloric acid. sunscreen( for the pool). and depending on your locations. softeners, stabalizers ect. not to mention all the alge, and such

a saltwater pool can be fixed. a bit easier but still full filtration is required.

Okay, you don't have to use pool water. But, I will.

 

[trixie]

pool water inst safe evein with chlorine removed.

you average pool will have. chlorine, hydrocloric acid. sunscreen( for the pool). and depending on your locations. softeners, stabalizers ect. not to mention all the alge, and such

a saltwater pool can be fixed. a bit easier but still full filtration is required.

yeah we just went over all that stuff, cmon!

 

[jaygriff]

sodium thiosulphate will lower the chlorine levels. Although the chlorine will weaken in sunlight.
I am in the process of gaining my potable water disinfection tickets in UK.
Unless you are able to measure the chlorine levels in the water do not drink it. If you are sure the chlorine levels are acceptable I would still tend to filter and boil it. The last thing you would need in a shtf event is to come down with a water carried illness. Clean safe drinking water is a must if you are going to survive.

 

[Rampage21]

How about a salt-water pool? Safe to drink? Require any treatment?
Thanks in advance!!

 

[TAKEZO]

In a dire pinch, it would be drinkable, provided your pool is not a mosquito breeding pond when you dip your laddle (not clear).

However--your pool is 20 to 30 thousand gallons of stored water.

You only need a way to filter or purify it. Your best bet would be to have one of those membrane filtration systems (a large size one) that can produce hundreds of gallons before the membrane needs to be replaced.

These type of systems take out nearly everything even viruses.

Barring a membrane system... distillation. And you wold have to rig up something akin to a whiskey still, and have a large amount of fuel (wood, oil) to keep this thing running.

If your pool water is clear, you can use it for washing and cleaning--but not for the final rinsing of eating plates, utensils, or pots and pans... these have to have a clean (safe) water rinse, or a rinse (dip military style) in boiling water.

The membrane systems are best--however you do not want to be hand-pumping the bugger for endless hours. A solar rig on a battery, or a stationary bike with the wheel connected to a belt which runs the pump should be MacGyver'd together.

I think in a bug-in scenario, or natural disaster--you have a big, big edge with a pool.

One last bit... if you do plan on using this thing as an emergency water supply--have a pool cover on hand. You will want to protect it from bird defication, bathing, dust and contaminants, etc. Also you will have to guard it from your neighbors... unless they can provide ample alcahol or steaks for the que.


T

 

[Rampage21]

Thanks Takezo!! I have a chlorine and salt water pool in the family and just a few houses away and have been trying to figure out which I could make drinkable if need be. At least I will have water to wash/ect. as you mentioned.