How do you know when to shock your well?

When should I shock chlorinate my well? Wells should be shock chlorinated when a well water sample result shows that there is bacteria in the water. Any time a well is opened for repair it must be disinfected. Newly-built wells should also be shock chlorinated following construction.

How do I know if my well needs to be shocked?

How often do you need to shock a well?

Homeowners with private wells should have their well water tested every 3 to 5 years for some contaminants, including bacteria. If these tests turn up positive for bacteria, chlorinating the well may be a way to resolve the problem.

How long do you shock a well for?

The length of time for flushing depends on the concentration of chlorine, depth of the well, formation type, the pH and the size of the distribution system. It will usually take 4 to 8 hours to flush the well after a standard well chlorination.

What is the best way to shock a well?

Use ordinary liquid laundry bleach to shock chlorinate the water system. Determine how much bleach to use, then pour the bleach down the well and circulate it through the whole water distribution system. Wait 6-12 hours for the chlorine to work, then flush the chlorinated water from your well and pipes.

How to Disinfect Your Well

Does shocking a well work?

Although shock chlorination will sanitize wells, it may temporarily increase the arsenic levels of water in areas where aquifer sediments contain high levels of arsenic (WDNR, 2008).

What happens if you put too much bleach in well?

According to AskingLot, if you put too much bleach in your well, it can destroy the good bacteria found in the well, which can be a significant problem! The company also says that you should dilute the bleach with water so the pipes do not get ruined.

How long after shocking well can you shower?

Do not shower for at least 24 hours after shocking your well. Waiting for one or two days more, if possible, is much better. Chlorine levels in the well water will go down only after freshwater dilutes and replaces chlorinated water. This process can take 1-2 days.

What does it mean when your well water turns brown?

If your area has received more rainfall than usual, brown well water can result from rusty plumbing, rainwater runoff contamination, or septic cross-contamination.

How many chlorine tablets should I put in my well?

Drop the proper number of pool chlorine tablets into the well. For a 10-foot well use 2 tsp. of a chlorine tablet, for a 20-foot well use 1 1/2 tbsp. of a chlorine tablet, for a 40-foot well use 3 tbsp.

Should you put Clorox in your well?

You can disinfect your well with household chlorine bleach such as Clorox, Purex or a generic brand. The chlorine in the bleach kills bacteria. Note that it may take more than one chlorination for your well to return a satisfactory test.

Will shocking a well get rid of iron?

With shock chlorination, the entire system (from the water-bearing formation, through the well bore and the distribution system) is exposed to water that has a concentration of chlorine strong enough to kill iron and sulfate-reducing bacteria.

Should I put chlorine tablets in my well?

the well has been flooded or exposed to bacterial contamination in another manner, such as a crack in the well cap. Chlorine granules, tablets and liquid chlorine in the form of household bleach can all be used to disinfect your well.

How much does it cost to have a well Shocked?

How much does it cost to shock a well? If you hire a company to do it, it can cost anywhere around $100 depending on where you live. Doing it yourself will only cost as much as the chlorine, 10 gallon bucket and the safety supplies to do it.

What is good water pressure for a well?

The ideal well water pressure is between 40-60 psi. If you're uncertain whether your water pressure falls within this range, learn how to test your water pressure. It's a good skill to learn. Checking your water pressure a few times a year can help you detect problems before they get worse.

How much bleach is needed to shock a well?

Mix 2 quarts bleach in 10 gallons of water; pour into well. Connect a garden hose to a nearby faucet and wash down the inside of the well. Open each faucet and let the water run until a strong chlorine odor is detected, then turn it off and go to the next one. Don't forget outdoor faucets and hydrants.

How do I fix brown water in my well?

Is brown well water harmful?

Most of the time, Daubert said, this will lead to fairly harmless dirt in water — creating a brownish color. However, it can also contain harmful bacteria. "It it's just dirt, it's probably not a big deal," he said.

Why does my well water turn brown when I add bleach?

The brown is the iron in the water that has oxidized as a result of the chlorination. Normally, the iron in water is in ion form and does not display itself until it combines with oxygen and forms common rust which turns the water reddish-brown.

How much does it cost to chlorinate a well?

To disinfect your well and eliminate the bacteria, you should chlorinate the well. You can hire a company that services wells to do the chlorinating. The cost ranges from $80 - $200. You can also perform the task yourself.

Can you shock a well with vinegar?

Liquid chlorine in the form of household bleach and food grade white vinegar can be used to disinfect your well. When chlorine is added to water the pH level will rise. Food grade white vinegar is used to lower the water's pH level so the chlorine will work effectively.

How long can you leave bleach in a well?

Mix the bleach with the well water.

Then place the hose in the hole where you poured the bleach, allow the water to run back into the well for 15-20 minutes.

Why does my well water smell like sewer?

If your cold well water smells like sewage, it can be the result of several causes: Hydrogen sulfide from iron, sulfur or other types of bacteria naturally occurring in your well water. Contaminated pipes with layers of bio-film caused by various types of iron, sulfur, or other types of bacteria.

What is a natural way to clean well water?

You can boil the well water for 5 minutes. With this, all the bacteria inside it will be eliminated. However, boiling will not be able to remove the solids and other materials inside the well water. The use of chlorine drops or iodine tablets can effectively kill the bacteria in the well water.