Ibc tote

[u/Moist-Ant6720]

Probably a dumb question but is it true that this tote can be used to store water for showering and dishes when cleaned out

It had a chlorine solution

[u/pyroserenus]

Basically yes.

It contained what amounts to concentrated bleach (about 2x as concentrated as typical store bought concentrated bleach), which is easy enough to clean and neutralize.

I wouldn't use it for consumption water just because we don't know about the condition of the plastic itself, but for non potable water it's fine.

[u/ajps72]

That chemical (bleach) at a low concentration is a common disinfectant.

[u/Sensitive-Pizza5486]

I Would.

[u/notproudortired]

As tote residue goes, that's pretty benign. It's commonly used in municipal water treatment.

[u/alittleaboutalot-]

I wouldn’t. The EPA report doesn’t look good, even for grey water. Clean? yes. Toxic? Yes.

It took me almost 8 months to find “food safe” IBC totes within a couple hrs from me for of grey water use. I found a distillery that sold me some.

Edit: I stand corrected. Should be safe for grey water after a proper cleaning and air out time. I was worried about leeching…

[u/pyroserenus → u/alittleaboutalot-]

Pay more attention to the chemical itself, it was just concentrated bleach.

Heavily concentrated bleach is nothing to scoff at and can give nasty chemical burns if not handled with care, but it's not something that can't be cleaned for gray water use.

One of the use cases are even for drinking water sterilization.

[u/GarlicFarmerGreg → u/pyroserenus]

Plus bleach turns to just salty water after a long time of being anyway

[u/Moist-Ant6720 → u/pyroserenus]

Someone sent me this screenshot showing what they use it for so I should be okay to use it for showering and brush teeth right

[u/pyroserenus → u/Moist-Ant6720]

Sodium hypochlorite solutions are bleach, this container just had very concentrated bleach (store bought concentrated bleach is around 7.5%, this was 12.5%). Bleach is often intentionally used for water tanks to shock it to kill algae and other undesired growth. ( example: https://dec.alaska.gov/eh/dw/resources/disinfection-water-storage-tanks/ , if planning to use a tank like this it's also a good idea to know how to service it)

Of course "concentrated" bleach stops being "concentrated" the moment you add water.

Handle it much the same way you would handle other bleach dilutions.

[u/GarlicFarmerGreg]

If you’re looking for the best one for potable water i suggest a rebottled one. Where it’s a new bladder and a refurbished cage, depending on your budget of course.

Edit to add I’d definitely wash and reuse the one you’re looking at

[u/DigiviceRurik]

It’s basically pool shock. You’ll be fine.

[u/ludditetechnician]

We bought two new ones the seller claimed was safe for potable water. The labels suggested otherwise, but if we use them for potable water we'll put a bladder/liner in first.

[u/Moist-Ant6720 → u/ludditetechnician]

You just gave me an awesome idea, how has the liner held up?

[u/ludditetechnician → u/Moist-Ant6720]

Haven’t done it yet. 

[u/Hooknspear]

I’m in the Ag chemical business. Just triple rinse and you will be fine. That’s just chlorine.

[u/Synaps4]

I mean, why risk it? Are food safe IBC totes that expensive?

[u/Moist-Ant6720 → u/Synaps4]

I just ordered these food grade liners ! It’s a temporary solution lol 🙏🏻

[u/Synaps4 → u/Moist-Ant6720]

Totally sensible. No reason to risk your water supply over a few bucks.

[u/williaty]

I wouldn't. You might say it's for gray water uses, but sooner or later someone is going to cook with or drink that because it "looks alright". Once something is non-food-safe, it stays that way for the rest of its existence because people make mistakes and/or bad decisions.

[u/Prestigious_Try_5396]

Yes. Dumb question...

[u/standard-and-poor]

Most totes that have been fluorinated or treated to hold chemicals will leech PFAS into your water.