Should I put bleach in my 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.

Can I put bleach in my well?

Disinfection Procedure. 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.

How often should you chlorinate your well?

Homeowners with private wells should have their well water tested every 3 to 5 years for some contaminants, including bacteria.

Why would you put bleach in a well?

Chlorinating your well, also known as shock chlorination, kills bacteria and disease-causing organisms that can enter your well. This can happen after a flood or period of heavy rain, which causes surface water to enter your well or can just naturally occur over a period of time.

How long after bleaching well Can I drink water?

Once the chlorinated water has reached all the appliances, fixtures and faucets, let the chlorinated water stand in the well and plumbing system for 8 hours. WHILE THE CHLORINE IS IN THE SYSTEM DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. CONTACT WITH THE WATER MAY CAUSE SKIN, EYE AND NOSE IRRITATION. 12.

How to Disinfect Your Well

How long after bleaching well can I shower?

Step 6 WAIT at least 12 hours before turning faucets back on. Do not drink, cook, bathe, or wash with water from your faucets during this time because it has high amounts of chlorine in it.

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.

Is shocking a well Necessary?

Shock chlorination is a method of disinfecting a water well. It is recommended when a water system is contaminated with bacteria. Contamination can occur when the well is installed, when repairs are made to the pump or plumbing, or when rainfall runoff enters the well.

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.

How much bleach does it take to shock a well?

Dug well (1 meter/3 foot diameter)

Add 1 litre (1 quart) of household bleach for every 1.5 metres (5 feet) of depth of water. If you don't know how high the water stands, use the well casing depth to estimate how much household bleach to use.

How do you treat well water for drinking?

How often should a well be cleaned?

9. As a routine maintenance practice, clean your well at least once a year. If you have an iron or sulfur bacteria problem, clean more often.

Can 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.

Do you need to chlorinate well water?

Well water doesn't go through a water treatment plant like municipal water. That means it might contain contaminants like volatile organic compounds, coliform bacteria, lead, and other toxins. Municipal sources disinfect their water with chlorine, so you need well water chlorination to fill that role.

Can I shock my well myself?

You can shock chlorinate your own well or you can hire a licensed water well driller to do the procedure. If you notice a build-up of slime inside your toilet tank, staining of fixtures and laundry, bad taste and a rotten- egg smell, or if your well is producing less water, you may have a condition called biofouling.

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.

How do I fix brown water in my well?

Is brown well water safe?

Brown, Red, Orange, or Yellow Well Water

Rust in your water is not always a health concern. In fact, your well water may naturally contain high levels of iron or manganese, resulting in the same brownish, reddish, or yellowish tone.

Do I need to clean my well?

Why Does My Well Need To Be Cleaned? The top two reasons your well may need cleaning are bacteria and encrustation. In the upper area of your well the presence of oxygen encourages aerobic bacterial growth and the oxidation of metals.

Can I put vinegar in my well?

The well has been flooded or exposed to bacterial contamination in another manner, such as a crack in well cap. Liquid chlorine in the form of household bleach and food grade white vinegar can be used to disinfect your well.

How common is coliform in well water?

Coliform bacteria are one of the most common water contamination problems in private water systems in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States. A 2006 survey of 450 private wells found coliform bacteria in approximately 35 percent and E. coli bacteria in about 15 percent of private wells.

What is the life expectancy of a water well?

A well can last 50 years (I know of one well that did). However, a drop or complete loss of water production from a well can sometimes occur even in relatively young wells due to a lowered water level from persistent drought, nearby development, or over-pumping of the well which can dewater the water-bearing zones.

Can a well pump last 40 years?

With proper well maintenance, your well pump can last, on average of 8 to 15 years, though many homeowners report their pumps lasting far longer, often between 20 and 30 years!