A storable, stable composition that provides the effective antimicrobial benefits of halogenated agents is presented. The invention includes a water-soluble biocidal composition. The composition includes: about 0.01 to about 10 wt. % of a water-soluble inorganic halide; about 5 to about 60 wt. % of an oxidizing agent which, in aqueous solution, reacts with the inorganic halide to generate hypohalite ions; about 1 to about 15 wt. % of N-succinimide; and about 1 to about 30 wt. % of a pH buffering agent. The invention also includes a method of producing the above composition.