*TB 43-0143
WARNING
To avoid injury or death, mechanical cleaning should be done where proper
procedures can be used to ensure adequate breathing air is supplied and a
hazardous atmosphere does not exist inside the tank.
e. Mechanical cleaning requires entry into the potable water tanks and physically scrubbing the
interior of the tanks with detergent and water. This is a hazardous operation and it is not considered a
routine procedure. Thus it should only be accomplished at facilities where proper procedures can be
employed to insure adequate breathing air is supplied to the tank and a hazardous atmosphere does not
exist within the tank (installation, safety and/or industrial hygiene personnel may aid in this
determination).
a. The following chlorine disinfectants may be p rocured and used aboard Army watercraft:
(1) Calcium hypochlorite (70% by weight chlorine), NSN 6840-00-255-0471, 6 oz. bottle
(granules).
(2) Sodium hypochlorite solution (5% by weight chlorine), NSN 6810-00-598-7316, 1 gal
bottle (liquid).
(3) Sodium hypochlorite solution (5% by weight chlorine), NSN 6810-00-900-6276, 5 gal pail
(liquid).
(4) In the event of an emergency, any name brand commercial liquid bleach (which is a 5%
sodium hypochlorite solution) may be used.
b. Storage of calcium hypoc hlorite:
(1) Granular calcium hypochlorite is an effective disinfectant for water, but it is an oxidizing
agent, which is very corrosive and may result in spontaneous combustion when in contact with
paint, oils, or other oxidizable material.
