>>1760089 pt2/2Let's say you're utilizing a chemical sanitizer, whether chlorine (sodium hypo), quaternary ammonium, or iodine. If you don't have means of measuring the FREE/available concentration (how much chemical molecule is still in a form able to kill/inhibit microbial activity) then there may not be the barrier of holding back microbial growth after you bottle in your drums/containers (again - there ARE individual cells floating in the air and on cleaned containers). On top of that, too much chemical inhibiting growth will leave residues, and most people don't enjoy tasting bleach in their water for numerous reasons.
side note: smelling for chlorine coming off a diluted solution of bleach is not a reliable way of determining how much remains in the solution, or if it's safe to drink from a biological or chemical perspective
While many people want to diss buying pre-manufactured water botters - jugs, bottles, gallons, etc - it is *technically* the safest product from a biological standpoint. These products have been commercially manufactured using ozonation, ultraviolet light, or other means to have a truly sterile water product, then bottled under these sanitary conditions. Product water, caps and closures, and products themselves undergo testing to ensure that nothing contributes to microbiological loads. While sure, the plastic milk jugs may not hold up the best under hot or bright environments and may deteriorate a bit, giving the water a plastic taste, it still will maintain a sanitary condition for the water.
If shit truly hits the fan are you going to be more concerned about swallowing dissolved plastic or dying from some water-bourne bacteria eating at your insides while you're buried in the basement?
