Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage Factsheet: Source ...

Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage
Fact Sheet: Chlorine (Sodium Hypochlorite)
Key Data
Manufacturing Requirements
Worldwide Producers:
There are many producers of chlorine solutions all around the world.
Local Production:
Can be made locally using salt water solution and electrolysis equipment
Materials (in manufacturing chlorine products):
Generator with electrolysis equipment
Plastic bottles and labelling equipment
Salt
Water
Fabrication Facilities:
Workshop space required for chlorine production and bottling
Good ventilation required in the workshop space
Labour:
Trained workers needed to produce and test the sodium hypochlorite
Hazards (in manufacturing chlorine products):
Chlorine fumes and contact with skin are hazardous
Skin and eye protection should be used when handling chlorine solutions
Work should be conducted in a well ventilated area or in the open air
Maintenance
Chlorine should be stored in a cool, dark place in a closed container
Should be stored away from children
Direct Cost
Capital Cost Operating Cost Replacement Cost
US$0
US$0.45/1,000 litres 1
US$3.29/year 2
US$0
Note: Program, transportation and education costs are not included. Costs will vary depending on location.
1 Clasen (2007) based on WaterGuard TM
2
Assumed 20 litres/household/day
Other
Some users complain about the taste and odour that chlorine may cause in water
Chlorine reacts with organic matter naturally present in water to form by-products such as
trihalomethanes (THMs), which are potentially cancer-causing
Lantagne et al. (2008) indicate that THM levels produced during household chlorination may
fall below World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values