Bleach in water

[binji]

Someone apparently thought it would be such a good ******* idea to spray bleach on the house and rinse it into the ditch, where my ducks like to play. Will it kill them and if so how can I remove it or how long do I have to wait for hem to be able to swim again?

 

[pauleberly]

You could possibly keep adding more water to dilute it

 

[chickens really]

Call poison control on the bleach bottle.....

 

[Amiga]

Have they already gotten into it?

 

[NanaKat]

Were it chlorine gas, there would be dangerous fumes in the air requiring evacuation within a significant perimeter depending on the concentration..
Fortunately Chlorine in bleach dissipates into the air. It will probably affect the microbes in the water for a day or so. The soil will retain the effects of the bleach for a longer period of time.

Contacting poison control would not be a bad idea. Your county extension office could give you a better idea of treatment if necessary.

 

[binji]

For the moment I've just covered it up with boards. The ducks have their pool and the creek to play in so they should be fine until I can get smth done

 

[binji]

And to my knowledge they've not been in it

 

[Pork Pie]

Dilution is probably the most appropriate course of action. A pool chlorine testing kit would help give you some idea of the Cl levels.

 

[tmorgan46]

I'm with CTKen on this one. I'm curious what the concentration of the bleach is to the water in the ditch. Earlier this year I had to disinfect my well, and used bleach to do the job. I had to run water until the chlorine smell went away but there was still small traces when I tested before drinking any. And any of us who have swam in a public pool knows how bad the pool water tastes but have surely swallowed very small amounts. And we're still kicking. If the smell is overwhelming, poison control is probably a very good idea. And I'd also take a close look at the plants in and around that ditch. If the chlorine is in high enough levels it may affect the vegetation which in turn my affect the ducks..

 

[Amiga]

If I recall correctly, Holderread cautioned that chlorinated water could kill beneficial gut bacteria. So I would consider using some probiotics for the ducks.