Live data from Hacker News

Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

cdc.gov

11–20 of 99 posts

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#11
post #6
post #2

Saw this stuff on Mark Robers channel. Pretty amazing stuff. Been thinking of finding some for an emergency kit.

How is it better than existing water purification tabs or a filter like lifestraw?

Well, for one you get 10 l of water at a time. For another, most water purification tablets taste horrible, and don't do anything about sediment.

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#12
post #2

Saw this stuff on Mark Robers channel. Pretty amazing stuff. Been thinking of finding some for an emergency kit.

The 'zon has it, but at an outrageous markup over the 3.5 cents per packet mentioned in the article.

> powdered ferric sulfate (a flocculant) and calcium hypochlorite

Are you saying those two components are too expensive on Amazon?..

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#13
post #2

Saw this stuff on Mark Robers channel. Pretty amazing stuff. Been thinking of finding some for an emergency kit.

If you’re in the US or Canada, you probably want something else for water purification in your emergency kit (iodine or a good filter or the equipment to boil water)— bleach (including the calcium hypochlorite in this stuff) won’t adequately kill Giardia cysts or Cryptosporidium.

Chlorine will kill giardia. You just have to wait somewhat longer.

Giardia is definitely present in Pakistan, where this is being manufactured.

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#14
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The 'zon has it, but at an outrageous markup over the 3.5 cents per packet mentioned in the article.

> powdered ferric sulfate (a flocculant) and calcium hypochlorite Are you saying those two components are too expensive on Amazon?..

You could certainly brew your own.

I was referring to the fact that Amazon sellers are charging 50 cents to two dollars (!) for a packet that is sold by the manufacturer for 3.5 cents.

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#15
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you’re in the US or Canada, you probably want something else for water purification in your emergency kit (iodine or a good filter or the equipment to boil water)— bleach (including the calcium hypochlorite in this stuff) won’t adequately kill Giardia cysts or Cryptosporidium.

When my scout troop is teaching the Emergency Preparedness merit badge, we often do an exercise on bulk treatment of water beyond what is practical to filter with the portable filters we take on backpacking trips. We use alum as a flocculant, then sand to filter, then battery-powered UV sterilization (while noting that leaving clear water out in full sun for a few hours will accomplish the same dose as stirring a UV…

> Alum isn't exactly a common household item these days

You can often find it in the spice section. People use it to make pickles.

McCormick/Schilling sells it, among other major brands.

Walmart sells "Hoosier Hill Farm" brand for about $15/pound.

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#17
post #2

Saw this stuff on Mark Robers channel. Pretty amazing stuff. Been thinking of finding some for an emergency kit.

The 'zon has it, but at an outrageous markup over the 3.5 cents per packet mentioned in the article.

3.5 cents to PRODUCE.

Not to ship halfway around the world, warehouse, pick, package and ship.

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#18
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When my scout troop is teaching the Emergency Preparedness merit badge, we often do an exercise on bulk treatment of water beyond what is practical to filter with the portable filters we take on backpacking trips. We use alum as a flocculant, then sand to filter, then battery-powered UV sterilization (while noting that leaving clear water out in full sun for a few hours will accomplish the same dose as stirring a UV…

> Alum isn't exactly a common household item these days You can often find it in the spice section. People use it to make pickles. McCormick/Schilling sells it, among other major brands. Walmart sells "Hoosier Hill Farm" brand for about $15/pound.

My point was more that it isn't something people are likely to already have on hand at home. It's certainly readily available and extremely cheap for this purpose, but you need to actually buy some before a disaster hits.

Re: Flocculant/Disinfectant Powder

#20
post #2

Saw this stuff on Mark Robers channel. Pretty amazing stuff. Been thinking of finding some for an emergency kit.

My guess is if you're posting here you're not necessarily the target market for this product. You might be better with just a Sawyer squeeze or other off the shelf filter. If you're looking for clarifying turbid water you could get a bottle of alum from the grocery store and use that as a flocculant. Or if you wanted heavier duty there's "Water Wizard for River Runners" which is made of stuff which is often used for wastewater treatment.
Post reply on HN