Should I put chlorine in my well?

Shock chlorination is recommended: upon completion of a new well or when an unused well is returned to service. if annual water test results indicate the presence of bacteria. if a well system is opened for any installation, repair or maintenance.

How often should you chlorinate a well?

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

What happens when you add chlorine to well water?

Chlorination, or "shock chlorination", is the process of flushing your well and water system with a chlorine solution to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. Disinfection by chlorination is usually recommended if a water sample from the well has tested positive for bacteria.

How long should you wait to drink water after you chlorinate a well?

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.

Can you treat a well with chlorine?

Overview. 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

What is the best way to treat well water?

Yes, boiling is the surest way to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the well water. To boil the water so it will be safe, heat it to a full swirling boil. Keep the swirling boil going for at least one minute before you use the water. Store the boiled water in a clean, covered container in the fridge.

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.

Can you shower after chlorinating well?

Keep in mind that doing laundry and taking a shower cannot be done for at least 24 hours with a chlorinated well. Waiting a few days to do these is a good idea. We recommend using unscented bleach for this process and using a chlorine test kit from your local supply store.

Is it safe to 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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

What happens if I drink untreated well water?

Contaminated well water can cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting and potentially lead to serious health problems, such as cancer, kidney disorders and brain damage, says Dr.

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).

Is it common to have bacteria in well water?

The occurrence of bacteria in water is common, treatable, and in most cases, preventable. The ideal situation is to have no bacteria in drinking water, although most bacteria in water wells are harmless and pose little health risk. Ground water in the majority of properly constructed drilled wells is bacteria free.

How do I chlorinate my well?

How much bleach should I put in my well?

4) Work out how much bleach will be needed: For every 50 gallons of water in the well use one quart of laundry bleach - (4 quarts in a gallon). Do not use excessive amounts of bleach - more is not more effective. 5) For best results the bleach should be combined with water before adding it to the well.

How do I know if my well water is safe to drink?

The only way to tell if your drinking water is safe is by having it tested at a certified laboratory. Harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses are invisible to the naked eye, so water which looks and tastes good may not necessarily be safe to drink.

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 often can I shock my well?

So, how often should you shock a well? If you have performed a water test that has come back positive for coliform bacteria, then it's time to chlorinate your well. If you haven't tested your well in a few years, it's a good idea to test your water.

What kind of maintenance does a well need?

Wells should be checked and tested ANNUALLY for mechanical problems, cleanliness, and the presence of certain contaminants, such as coliform bacteria, nitrates/nitrites, and any other contaminants of local concern, (for example, arsenic and radon).