► Place a large clean bucket near the well. Add 1 gallon of water and the amount of bleach indicated in the table and mix thoroughly. ► For wells greater than 100 feet deep or with well casing diameters greater than 6 inches, mix the bleach with 2 gallons of water.
What is flushing a well?
Flushing is a normal part of the development of a newly constructed well and the preparation of an existing well before chlorine treatment. Flushing a water supply after treatment with chlorine is required to remove the chlorine residual from the well. Install the pump as close to the bottom of the well as possible during the flushing stage.
How do you disinfect a well well?
Water Well Disinfection Procedure (Continued) 7) Remove the well cap and pour the mixturedirectly down inside the well casing. [NOTE- Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses to protect skin and eyes from splashes. Spills contacting the body should be rinsed immediately and thoroughly with fresh water.]
How do you flush a fractured well?
For fractured or very porous rock formations, it may be necessary to move the pump up and down the length of the exposed borehole to assure water movement into the entire well bore. Maximize the pumping rate. The greater the volume and velocity of water being pumped, the more effective the flushing will be.
How to rehabilitate a water well?
The two most common methods to rehabilitate a water well are: 1 chemicals to dissolve the incrusting materials from the well 2 physically cleaning the well More ...
How do you treat contaminated wells?
Shock chlorination is the process by which home water systems such as wells, springs, and cisterns are disinfected using household liquid bleach (or chlo- rine). Shock chlorination is the most widely recommended means of treating bacterial contamination in home water systems.
How much bleach is needed to shock a well?
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.
What chemical do you use to wash the wells?
Traditionally, chlorine and acid have been the products of choice when combating fouled well systems.
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 do you flush a well?
Step 1: Clean the Area. Depending on the type of well you have, there should be a casing sticking out of the ground. ... Step 2: Inspect the Casing. ... Step 3: Regrade the Area Around the Casing. ... Step 4: Isolate or Bypass Filtration. ... Step 5: Attach a Hose. ... Step 6: Run the Water. ... Step 7: Check the Well Pump System.
Water Well Rehabilitation
Measures taken to correct these problems are referred to as well rehabilitation or restoration. A successful well rehabilitation will maximize the...
Reduced Yield from Incrustation Or Bio-Fouling
Chemical and biological incrustation are common causes of well failure. Incrustations are physical obstructions which develop on well screens and r...
Failure Caused by Physical Plugging and Sand Pumping
A portion of the loss in well performance over time can often be attributed to the slow migration of fine particles from the aquifer toward the bor...
Failure Caused by Corrosion
Corrosion of metal casing and other well components can seriously reduce the useful life of a well in several ways. Hole in casing caused by corros...
Failure Caused by Pump Damage
Water well pump damage is usually the result of one or more of the following factors: 1. Pumping of abrasive sand or sediment 2. Corrosion of pump...
How to shock chlorinate a well?
Step 1. Determine the amount of chlorine bleach needed to shock chlorinate the well. This process disinfects the well components and the soil surrounding the well. Chlorine laundry bleach can be used in this process. The amount of bleach used is based on the diameter of the well casing and the depth of the well, ...
How to clean a well with chlorine?
Pour the bleach into the well after the water system is reassembled and ready to operate. Use a garden hose to wash the bleach down the well by running the water down the well. Continue this process until a strong smell of chlorine is evident from the water coming from the garden hose. Run water from all the outlets in the water system until the smell of chlorine is evident at each. At this point, all the water in the water system contains the antibacterial chlorine. Leave the chlorinated water in the system for up to 24 hours, suggests the Ohio State University Extension.
What to do if bacteria are still present in water?
If bacteria are still present, the system may need to be shocked and flushed again. Persistent bacterial problems may require systems that continuously treat the water as it passes through the system. Tip. The sanitizing and flushing process usually includes the use of water softeners and water filters.
How long does chlorine stay in water?
At this point, all the water in the water system contains the antibacterial chlorine. Leave the chlorinated water in the system for up to 24 hours, suggests the Ohio State University Extension.
How to get rid of chlorine smell in septic system?
Flush the chlorine-laden water from the system. Run water from each outlet in the home until the water has no noticeable smell of chlorine. Homes that use a septic system may wish to divert the water outdoors to avoid overloading the system.
Why is my well contaminated?
Water wells occasionally can be contaminated as a result of flooding or other natural occurrences or due to well repairs. Removing and replacing well components offers an opportunity for contamination to occur. The process of getting the well back into use involves shocking the well with chemicals and flushing the entire system.
Can you use chlorine in water?
Do not use the water during the time the chlorine is in the system . The shock level of chlorine can be as much as 400 times stronger than the chlorine used in a municipal water system. Wear gloves and other protective gear when working with chlorine. Advertisement. references.
How to remove chlorinated water from a well?
11) Remove the chlorinated water from the well by running the pump and leading a hose from outside faucets to a safe area. [Don’t put the chlorine solution into a septic system or in a creek or pond where it may kill fish. Flowers and vegetables may be affected by chlorinated water.]
How to disinfect a house?
9) To disinfect the household plumbing first turn off the electric or gas supply to the hot water heater. Turn on all the faucets, shower heads, clothes washers, dish washers and outside faucets, etc. until there is a chlorine smell at each location.
How long should chlorine water be left in the water system?
All equipment in the water system should be disinfected because it may serve as a safe haven from which the bacteria may reinfect the system.] 10) Leave the Chlorine-Water Mixture in the plumbing system and well for 12 to 24 hours before removing the chlorinated water.
What pH should a well water be?
For the disinfection procedure to be effective, the pH (acidity) of the well water should be between 6 to 7.5. If it is not in this range, then a well treatment professional experienced in disinfection of high pH water should be consulted to adjust the pH and maintain it in the correct range during the disinfection process. ...
How long to wait before resampling water?
14) Wait about 5 to 10 days before resampling the water supply and testing for bacteria. [If bacteria are still present, repeat the process. It may take several treatments to remove long-established bacteria colonies. If the problem persists, contact a professional familiar with microbiological contamination in wells.]
Is granulated chlorine safe for home use?
Dry granulated chlorine can be dangerous and is NOT recommended for home owner use. 1) Use common household bleach as the chlorine source for disinfection. [Bleach products usually contain 5 to 6 percent chlorine. For the disinfection procedure to be effective, the pH (acidity) of the well water should be between 6 to 7.5.
Can bleach be added to water?
5) For best results the bleach should be combined with water before adding it to the well. [By reducing the concentration there is less chance of corrosion of the cables and pipes in the well. The greater volume of water helps get the chlorine mixed in the well column.]
How to clean a well?
physically cleaning the well. Physical methods include using a brush attached to a drilling rig, high pressure jetting, hydrofracturing, and well surging. Brush to be attached to drilling rig as one method of physical rehabilitation. The latter three techniques all include injecting water (and sometimes chemicals) into the well under extreme ...
What is the best way to control biological residue in a well?
In general, chemical means of control are most effective. However, best results are achieved when chemical bactericides are used in conjunction with physical agitation of the well bore water to remove the biological residue. The chemical of choice for most small diameter wells is chlorine.
How to avoid corrosion?
The best way to avoid or fix corrosion problems is to select appropriate corrosion resistant casing and screening materials. Carbon steel screens are less expensive than stainless steel but are more susceptible to corrosion. Keep in mind that excessive acid-rehabilitation well treatments can also significantly accelerate general corrosion.
What causes a well to fail?
Chemical and biological incrustation are common causes of well failure. Incrustations are physical obstructions which develop on well screens and rock fractures or openings delivering water to the well screen or borehole.
What are the signs that a well is in need of attention?
Major changes in any of the following well characteristics is an indication that your well or pump is in need of attention: Decreased pumping rate. Decreased water level. Decreased specific capacity.
What is the best method to remove incrustation?
While acid treatment methods for incrustation removal are very effective, mechanical methods, such as wire brushing or scraping, are often used in conjunction with acid treatment to improve results. A less common mechanical approach is the use of controlled blasting.
What causes a well to be incrustation?
In severe cases, the obstruction to flowing water can render the well useless. Major forms of incrustations can occur from build up of calcium and magnesium salts, iron and manganese compounds, or plugging caused by slime producing iron bacteria or other similar organisms (bio-fouling).
Why do well owners use home water treatment units?
Many well owners use a home water treatment unit to: Take extra precautions because a household member has a compromised immune system. Household water treatment systems are composed of two categories: point-of-use and point-of-entry. Point-of-entry systems are typically installed after the water meter and treat most of ...
Why are old wells bad?
Old wells can cause liability issues for the landowner if the well is putting neighboring wells at risk through groundwater contamination. One of the biggest problems with old wells is that they can be forgotten and left to further deteriorate, causing a potential hazard.
What is the difference between distillation and disinfection?
Distillation is a process in which impure water is boiled and the steam is collected and condensed in a separate container, leaving many of the solid contaminants behind. Disinfection is a physical or chemical process in which pathogenic microorganisms are deactivated or killed.
What is the most common type of water treatment system?
The most common types of household water treatment systems consist of: Filtration Systems. A water filter is a device which removes impurities from water by means of a physical barrier, chemical, and/or biological process. Water Softeners. A water softener is a device that reduces the hardness of the water.
What are some examples of disinfectants?
Examples of physical disinfectants include ultraviolet light, electronic radiation, and heat. In order to determine the best treatment option, contact a water well systems contractor.
Can a well be retired?
Wells can be difficult to retire, and usually only a well water systems contractor has the correct equipment. A well water systems contractor will be able to provide more information on plugging unused wells. and should also have knowledge of well decommissioning (retiring) code requirements.
Do wells need to be filled in?
Water wells need to be filled-in and sealed properly. Depending on the state, homeowners are required to notify their local Department of Environmental Protection or Water Quality Division to document the retirement of the well.
What is the best solution for disinfecting a well?
► In situations where an initial disinfection has not worked, where there is considerable iron or other solids in the well, or where there is a significant nuisance bacteria problem, a more concentrated chlorine solution may be used.
How long does it take to flush chlorine out of a well?
►Run a garden hose from an outside faucet or yard hydrant to flush the chlorine out of the system. It can take 30 minutes to 24 hours or more to flush all of the chlorine from the well.
How to disinfect a water softener?
To thoroughly disinfect the softener after all the chlorine is flushed from the system, add one-half cup bleach to the softener’s brine tank and run the unit through a regeneration cycle immediately .
What happens if you don't disinfect your well?
Disinfecting with a strong chlorine solution can dislodge this scale and plug or damage your pump, and/or cause problems elsewhere in the plumbing system.
How much bleach should I use for a well?
The table below indicates the amount of laundry bleach (6.0 percent sodium hypochlorite or 5.7 percent available chlorine) that should be used for well disinfection. ► For wells greater than 100 feet deep or with well casing diameters greater than 6 inches, mix the bleach with 2 gallons of water.
What is recirculating water?
► Recirculating the chlorinated water mixes the water column thoroughly and distributes the chlorine. It helps to wash down the inside sidewalls of the well casing, pump wires, and drop pipe.
How long after a water sample is taken should you take another sample?
After receiving the results of a satisfactory sample analysis, take another water sample approximately 30 days after the first sample and have the water retested.
How to get rid of bacteria in well water?
One effective treatment for this is to add chlorine bleach to the well water, which will kill the bacteria.
How long does it take to chlorinate a well?
The process of chlorinating a well takes time, usually one to two days. During this time you will be unable to use water from the well for daily household tasks, so it is important that you plan accordingly. A good time to chlorinate is right before you leave for a weekend getaway or a more lengthy vacation.
How to get chlorine out of water?
1. Set up as many hoses as possible. After 24 hours, your water will be completely disinfected and you can begin the process of removing chlorine from your water supply. To do this, attach as many hoses as you have outdoor spigots and tie the ends around a tree or fence approximately three feet off the ground.
How long should I leave a well water hose to recirculate?
Leave it to recirculate for at least an hour. The running water from the hose forces the water at the bottom of the well to flow to the surface, distributing the chlorine evenly. This ensures that any bacteria in the well water will be exposed to and killed by the chlorine.
How often should I chlorinate my well?
Know when you need to chlorinate your well. It is a good idea to chlorinate your well at least once a year, preferably in the spring. Outside of that, there are several other circumstances under which chlorinating your well becomes necessary:
What size hose do I need for a well?
Garden hose: To recirculate the water in the well, you will need a clean garden hose. Some sources recommend using a hose with a 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) diameter, rather than the standard 5⁄8 inch (1.6 cm) size.
What happens if you use too much water?
In addition, if you use too much water, the chlorine will end up in your septic tank and kill the bacteria necessary for decomposing waste. For these reasons, you will need to use bottled water for drinking and cooking, and refrain from using any sinks or showers.
How much pressure does a 3/4 HP well pump have?
since the well is a flowing artesian, unless you are pumping the water a significant elevation, there is almost no head pressure on the pump. a 3/4 hp 7 gpm pump will pump around 15 gpm with no head pressure, which is WAY too much (according to a j class sandhandler curve chart).
Should you clean out your well after drilling?
Anyway, your well driller should have cleaned out your well with air pressure after drilling.. About all you can do at this point, is to run the water near the well as much as possible till it clears up.
How long does it take to drain a toilet?
The process, once you flush your toilet, drain the washing machine, take a shower or drain the bath, takes from a half day to one day to complete. From your house, the wastewater travels underground and is pulled by gravity through a pipe sized from 8 to 24 inches laid at a pitch, moving at a speed of 2 to 10 feet per second.
What is the sound of gray water in the aeration basin?
In the aeration basins, the grayish water is bubbled and makes a sizzling noise as it is oxygenated and introduced to anaerobic bacteria that, as Furtado put it, literally eat [crap] and die. “You just let nature take over,” said Furtado.
What are the two types of wastewater?
Two categories of wastewater are directed to the facility in two different pipes: sanitary sewer wastewater and storm sewer wastewater. Stormwater, although it can carry with it debris, requires less treatment than sanitary wastewater, so the process for treatment is shorter. The process, once you flush your toilet, drain the washing machine, ...
