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If boiling is unavailable, you can disinfect water that may contain germs with correctly used unscented household bleach, a suitable chemical disinfectant, or certain filtration and light-based methods. The right choice depends on the likely germs and the water’s clarity. None of these methods makes water safe if it may contain fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive material: use another source and follow local public-health instructions.
The quickest decision is to first rule out chemical contamination, then match the available treatment to the water and the organisms you need to address. CDC’s emergency bleach directions are specific to the product concentration and water condition; portable filters, tablets, UV devices, and sunlight methods also have important limits. Clear-looking water is not proof that it is safe.
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First decide whether the water can be treated
Disinfection addresses disease-causing germs; it does not remove fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials. If any of those contaminants are known or suspected, do not drink the water or use it for hygiene. Find bottled water or another safe source and contact local public-health officials for advice. In an emergency, follow local authorities’ instructions because the appropriate response depends on the hazard. See the CDC’s guidance on finding clean water in an emergency.
Water that looks clear is not necessarily safe: germs may be present even when you cannot see them. Conversely, visible cloudiness is a reason to clarify water before using a disinfectant or UV method, not proof that clarification alone has made it safe. Letting particles settle or straining them improves clarity, but a cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter is not a pathogen-proof treatment.
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Keep the distinction between germ contamination and chemical contamination in mind throughout. The methods below are emergency options for germs. They should not be used as a reason to drink water suspected of contamination with fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials. When the hazard is uncertain, local officials can provide instructions suited to the specific emergency.
Use unscented household bleach for clear water
For U.S. unscented liquid household bleach whose active ingredient is sodium hypochlorite at 5%–9%, the CDC’s 2024 emergency guidance calls for 8 drops (0.5 mL) per gallon of clear water, followed by a wait of at least 30 minutes. Check the active ingredient and concentration on the product and follow its label if it provides directions. Do not apply this dose to scented, splashless, unknown-concentration, or otherwise different products without appropriate label guidance.
The same CDC guidance gives a separate dose for 1% sodium hypochlorite: 40 drops (2.5 mL) per gallon. These are concentration-specific instructions, not interchangeable drop counts. The emergency guidance is at How to Make Water Safe in an Emergency.
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In other words, identify the product before measuring. A drop count that is correct for one sodium hypochlorite concentration is not a general recipe for every bleach bottle. If the concentration or formulation does not match the CDC guidance and the product does not give applicable directions, do not guess or substitute a different bleach product. This is U.S.-specific emergency guidance for the stated products, not a universal dose for bleach sold elsewhere.
CDC describes bleach and other chemical disinfectants as options for killing germs when used correctly, but chemical disinfection does not reliably kill every parasite. A bleach dose should therefore not be treated as a guarantee against all possible organisms. If a parasite is a concern, compare the organism-specific information for filters and disinfectant tablets below and follow local emergency guidance.
Prepare and disinfect cloudy water
- Let particles settle or strain them out. Pass water through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter, or let suspended material settle. Carefully pour off the clearer water. This removes visible particles; it is not a pathogen-proof filtration step. The clearer portion still needs treatment.
- Measure the dose for the water’s condition. CDC says to double the listed bleach amount when water is cloudy, murky, colored, or very cold. If it is cloudy, clarify it first as described above. The instruction to double the listed amount is a condition-specific adjustment; it does not make products with an unknown concentration suitable for use.
- Mix and wait. Stir the bleach-treated water and leave it for at least 30 minutes. Do not shorten the contact time. The wait is part of the treatment, not an optional pause after dosing.
- Store it safely. Transfer treated water to a clean, sanitized container with a tight cover. CDC preparedness guidance recommends food-grade containers and warns against reusing containers that held toxic chemicals: Preparedness and Safety Messaging for Hurricanes, Flooding, and Similar Disasters, Second Edition.
Think of the process as separate stages: remove visible particles when necessary, add the appropriate dose, allow the full contact time, and protect the treated water from contamination during storage. Straining alone does not replace disinfection, and treatment does not make a container that held toxic chemicals safe to reuse.
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Choose a method with the likely germs in mind
CDC describes emergency chemical disinfectants such as unscented household chlorine bleach, iodine, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide tablets. These products are not equivalent: organism effectiveness and directions differ, so follow the specific product label. Some chemical disinfectants kill viruses and bacteria but do not reliably kill certain parasites. A tablet’s name alone does not tell you whether it is suitable for the organism of concern or how long it must be in contact with the water.
Boiling is CDC’s preferred method for killing germs, but when it is not possible, the practical comparison is not simply “which method disinfects best.” Consider what organisms the method addresses, whether the water needs to be clear, how long treatment takes, how much water it can handle, whether it depends on a product or power, and whether a second treatment is needed. The research here does not establish universal treatment times or batch sizes for individual tablet and UV products, so use their own instructions for those details.
| Method | What it can address | Important limits or conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Unscented liquid household bleach | CDC gives emergency dosing directions for disinfecting water against germs. | For the specified U.S. 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite product, use the concentration- and water-condition-specific directions above. CDC also gives a distinct dose for 1% sodium hypochlorite. Bleach does not reliably kill all parasites. |
| Iodine or chlorine tablets | May disinfect against some germs when used exactly as labeled. | CDC says iodine and chlorine tablets do not kill Cryptosporidium. Directions vary by product, so use the package instructions and do not assume one tablet’s dose or contact time applies to another. |
| Chlorine dioxide tablets | CDC says correctly used chlorine dioxide tablets can kill Cryptosporidium; its travel guidance says they can kill Giardia and are somewhat effective against Cryptosporidium. | Follow the particular package directions and contact time. Effectiveness is organism-specific. CDC says filtering first is the safest approach for removing parasites. |
| Portable filter | Can remove some bacteria or parasites, depending on the filter’s specifications. | CDC says portable filters do not remove viruses. Check the exact pore-size or certified organism claim, and use chemical disinfection afterward when needed. |
| Portable UV device | Can disinfect small amounts of water. | Use only with clear water; particles can block UV from reaching germs. Device instructions govern treatment volume and exposure. |
| Solar disinfection | CDC describes a sunlight method for emergency disinfection. | Requires clean, clear plastic bottles and clear water; the described exposure is 6 hours in sun when sunny or 2 days when cloudy. |
These are emergency options for germ contamination, not substitutes for another water source when chemical or radioactive contamination is suspected. CDC’s detailed comparison for outdoor and travel use is in About Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping, or Traveling.
What filters can and cannot do
Do not assume a device removes every kind of germ just because it is called a water filter. CDC’s emergency guidance says portable filters do not remove viruses. It specifies an absolute pore size of 0.3 micron or smaller to remove bacteria and 1 micron or smaller to remove parasites. Those are organism-specific thresholds, not a guarantee that an unspecified filter makes water safe. Check the device’s exact labeled or certified claim and use it according to its instructions.
These thresholds help explain why “portable filter” is not a complete description of performance. A filter whose specification addresses parasites may not address viruses. A filter aimed at bacteria does not automatically address parasites either. Compare the actual claim and pore size with the organism you need to address rather than relying on a broad product category or a clear appearance after filtering.
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Filtering first can also be part of a parasite-focused plan: CDC describes it as the safest approach for removing parasites. That does not remove the need to check a particular device’s instructions and organism claims. If the filter does not address viruses, follow CDC’s recommendation to add chemical disinfection after filtration rather than treating the filtration step as the whole process.
When UV or sunlight is an option
Portable UV
A portable UV unit may be useful for a small amount of clear water when its instructions can be followed. Clarify or filter cloudy water first: suspended particles can shield germs from UV light. Follow the device’s directions for the amount of water and exposure time; CDC’s emergency guidance does not provide one universal device setting.
UV therefore depends on both clarity and the specific unit’s instructions. It is not a way to treat chemical contamination, and a device that works for a small volume should not be assumed to treat a larger batch without the maker’s directions. If the water is cloudy, remove visible particles first, then use the unit only as directed on the resulting clear water.
Solar disinfection
CDC’s 2024 emergency guidance describes filling clean, clear plastic bottles with clear water and laying them on their sides in sunlight for 6 hours when sunny or 2 days when cloudy. Clarify cloudy water before placing it in the bottles. This is an emergency method for germ contamination, not a way to remove chemical contaminants.
The two exposure periods are not interchangeable: CDC describes 6 hours in sun when it is sunny and 2 days when it is cloudy. The guidance is specific to clean, clear plastic bottles and clear water. It does not establish that any container, any water condition, or a shorter exposure will work. As with the other methods, use it only for germ concerns and follow local instructions if authorities have issued emergency guidance for the area.
Quick decision guide
- Fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive material may be present: Do not try to disinfect the water. Find another source and follow local officials’ advice.
- Clear water and the specified U.S. unscented bleach are available: Check the active ingredient and sodium hypochlorite concentration, use the matching dose, stir, and wait at least 30 minutes. For 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite, CDC’s clear-water amount is 8 drops (0.5 mL) per gallon; for 1%, it is 40 drops (2.5 mL) per gallon.
- Water is cloudy or contains visible particles: Settle or strain it, draw off clearer water, then use a method suitable for the likely germs. For bleach, CDC says to double the listed dose for cloudy, murky, colored, or very cold water. Clarifying does not disinfect.
- A parasite is a concern: Check the exact treatment claim. CDC identifies correctly used chlorine dioxide tablets as effective against Cryptosporidium; iodine and chlorine tablets are not. Filtering first is the safest approach CDC describes for parasite removal.
- You have a standard portable filter: Check its specific bacteria and parasite claims, and plan a follow-up disinfection step because portable filters do not remove viruses.
- You have a UV unit: Use it only on clear water and follow the device instructions for volume and exposure time.
- You are considering sunlight: CDC describes clear water in clean, clear plastic bottles laid on their sides for 6 hours in sun when sunny or 2 days when cloudy.
Store treated water in a clean container
Once water has been treated, protect it from being contaminated again. CDC recommends storing it in clean, sanitized containers with tight covers. Food-grade containers are recommended in CDC preparedness guidance. Do not reuse a container that held toxic chemicals, even if it has been rinsed; choose a suitable clean container instead.
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Storage is part of the process because water can be exposed to contamination after treatment. Keep the cover on and use a container that is appropriate for food and water. These steps do not replace the treatment itself, but they help preserve the treated water’s condition until it is used.
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How much bleach should I add to a gallon of water?
For U.S. unscented liquid household bleach with 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite, CDC’s emergency guidance says 8 drops (0.5 mL) per gallon of clear water, then wait at least 30 minutes. For 1% sodium hypochlorite, CDC gives 40 drops (2.5 mL) per gallon. Double the listed amount when water is cloudy, murky, colored, or very cold. Check the active ingredient and concentration and follow applicable label directions; do not transfer these amounts to a different or unknown product.
Will a portable water filter remove viruses?
CDC says portable filters do not remove viruses. It recommends adding chemical disinfection after filtration to kill viruses and bacteria that may remain. Check the exact filter claim and instructions; do not assume a generic portable filter has virus-removal performance.
Can bleach or iodine tablets kill Cryptosporidium?
CDC says iodine and chlorine tablets do not kill Cryptosporidium, and chemical disinfectants do not reliably kill all parasites. CDC identifies correctly used chlorine dioxide tablets as able to kill Cryptosporidium, while its travel guidance describes them as somewhat effective against it. CDC says filtering first is the safest approach for removing parasites. Follow the particular product’s package directions.
Can I use a coffee filter to make cloudy water safe?
No. A clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter can strain visible particles, and letting water settle can help you pour off clearer water. That is clarification, not pathogen-proof filtration or disinfection. Treat the clearer water with a suitable method afterward.
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Clarify or filter it first. Particles can block UV from reaching germs, so portable UV units are for clear water. Follow the unit’s directions for the volume and exposure time; CDC does not give one universal setting for every device.
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What if the water may contain fuel or chemicals?
Do not try to make it safe with bleach, tablets, a filter, or sunlight. These methods address germs and do not make water containing fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials safe. Use bottled water or another source, and follow local public-health instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bleach should I add to a gallon of water?
For U.S. unscented liquid household bleach containing 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite, CDC says to use 8 drops (0.5 mL) per gallon of clear water and wait at least 30 minutes. For 1% sodium hypochlorite, it gives 40 drops (2.5 mL) per gallon. Double the listed amount for cloudy, murky, colored, or very cold water. Check the product and its label; these doses are not for other or unknown formulations.
Will a portable water filter remove viruses?
CDC says portable filters do not remove viruses. It recommends chemical disinfection after filtration to kill viruses and bacteria that may remain. Check the specific filter’s label or certification rather than assuming performance from the word “filter.”
Can bleach or iodine tablets kill Cryptosporidium?
CDC says iodine and chlorine tablets do not kill Cryptosporidium. Correctly used chlorine dioxide tablets can kill it, although CDC’s travel guidance describes them as somewhat effective. CDC says filtering first is the safest approach for removing parasites.
Can a coffee filter make cloudy water safe to drink?
No. A clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter can remove visible particles, but clarification is not pathogen-proof filtration or disinfection. Treat the clearer water afterward with a suitable method.
Can I use a portable UV device on cloudy water?
Clarify or filter cloudy water first because particles can block UV from reaching germs. Use UV only on clear water and follow the device’s directions for the water volume and exposure time.
What should I do if water may contain fuel or toxic chemicals?
Do not try to disinfect it. Bleach, tablets, filters, UV, and sunlight do not make water containing fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials safe. Use bottled water or another source and follow local public-health instructions.
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When boiling is not possible, first rule out chemical or radioactive contamination; if it may be present, use another source and follow local officials’ advice. For germ contamination, match the method to the water and likely organisms: use only product-specific bleach directions, clarify cloudy water, respect filter and tablet limits, and use UV or sunlight only under the conditions CDC describes. Store treated water in a clean, sanitized, tightly covered, food-grade container.
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