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Active chlorine is very sensitive to light and degrades relatively quickly if not stabilized for long term storage. The stabilization process involves raising the pH of the chlorine solution and will allow it to be stored up to 6 months. However, it requires proper laboratory equipment and should be done by someone trained to work in a laboratory setting. If not stabilizing the solution should be used with 24 hours if disinfecting drinking water. It can be stored for longer if destined for cleaning purposes, although the concentration will deteriorate over time and it should be measured before use to ensure an adequate level of disinfection.
=====Use for Water Disinfection=====
*Some chlorine reacts with other organic matter and forms new chlorine compounds. This portion is called combined chlorine.
*Excess chlorine that is not consumed or combined remains in the water. This portion is called free residual chlorine (FRC). The free residual chlorine helps prevent recontamination of the treated water.
After the chlorine is added the water should be shaken or stirred thoroughly and left for 30 minutes. After this time, there should be 0.5-1.0 mg/L of free residual chlorine (FRC) left. This is the minimum level of FRC is needed to ensure adequate disinfection. The FRC levels can be measured using the WataBlue® reagent.
Note that the effectiveness of chlorine for disinfecting water depends on the turbidity, the organic matter content, the temperature and the pH of the water being treated. For high turbidity levels (>5 turbidity units), the water should use a filtration or sedimentation technique to remove excess suspended solids before adding chlorine. This is because the suspended solids will consume the active chlorine needed for inactivation of microbes.
The chlorine concentrate produced is not very dangerous; it is less toxic than bleach. In case of skin or eye contact, rinse well with water. Prolonged inhalation of the chlorine fumes could be dangerous. It should be kept away from children. The treated water should be stored in a clean, opaque, closed container. The WATA® device, equipment, and containers used should be rinsed thoroughly after every procedure.
=====Other Applications=====
*To clean floors, bathrooms or latrines: 1 part chlorine is diluted with 2 parts water. It needs 5 minutes to react, after which it is rinsed with drinking water.
*To wash hands: 1 part chlorine is diluted with 11 parts water. It needs 5 minutes to react, after which the food should be rinsed with drinking water.
====Maintenance====
===Field Experiences===
The WATA® range of devices is being used in over 100 countries including: Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chile, Congo-Brazzaville, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ecuador, Guinea Conakry, Haiti, India, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Reunion, San Salvador, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
*'''Guinea:'''<br>Tinkisso-Antenna sells 250 mL flaks of sodium hypochlorite solution produced with WATA® devices across the country. More information on Tinkisso-Antenna’s work here: [https://www.antenna.ch/en/water-hygiene/guinea/] *'''India:'''<br> Antenna Foundation has two partners in India using two different business models to bring chlorine to rural households. Spring Health delivers drinking water to rural households that has been chlorinated with sodium hypochlorite produced using the WATA® device. TARA produces sodium hypochlorite, bottles it and then uses a network of micro franchisors and partners to reach the end consumer in rural households. More information on Antenna Foundation’s work with Spring Health and TARA available here: [https://www.antenna.ch/en/water-hygiene/inde/]
===Further Reading===
