How often do I need to shock my well?
Shocking a well is usually only a good idea to do once. Normally, it is not a good idea to shock a well on a regular basis. Especially if it has iron or manganese in the water. It is only recommended that a well be shocked one time. Such as when it is a new well. Or if it tested positive for coliform or ecoli bacteria.
How do I Shock my well water?
The Process
- Safety Precautions. The process of shocking a well is not that difficult but demands vigilance and attentiveness. ...
- Electrical Safety. You might be working with electricity when shocking a well. ...
- Chemical Safety. ...
- Respiratory Safety. ...
Do I need to shock my well?
When iron bacteria and sulphate-reducing bacteria start to reproduce at rapid rates in your well system, they can cause problems for you, and also your well itself. Shock chlorination needs to be done in able to eliminate these bacteria.
When to shock a well?
To shock chlorinate a well:
- Determine the depth of water in the well. ...
- Measure the diameter of the well casing.
- Measure the amount of chlorine bleach or HTH from the tables below, pour into a bucket, and dissolve in about 3 gallons of water.
- Fill a 5-gallon bucket with clean water and set aside if needed for cleanup.
- Connect a clean hose to a faucet in the system.
What happens when you shock your well?
Chlorine is highly toxic to bacteria at concentrations of 200 milligrams per liter and above. Shock chlorination of a well involves adding a chlorine solution to the water supply until it reaches a concentration of 200 milligrams per liter, and then circulating it to disinfect all parts of the water system.
Why do I need to shock my well?
Wells can become contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E. coli. Shock chlorination is the most effective way to eliminate these bacteria.
How long does it take for water to clear after shocking a well?
It will usually take 4 to 8 hours to flush the well after a standard well chlorination. The water may become discolored during flushing because the chlorine may have loosened the hard water deposits in the plumbing. Caution: The chlorine must be completely flushed from plumbing system.
How long does it take to shock chlorinate a well?
6-12 hoursOverview. 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 often should a well be shocked?
every 3 to 5 yearsHomeowners 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 much does it cost to shock your 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 shocking your well?
When can I shower after shocking my well? You'll need to wait at least 24 hours. Once you've completed the process of shocking the system and water pipes you'll need to thoroughly flush the pipes before taking a shower or using the water.
How long should you wait to shower after you chlorinate a well?
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.
Does shocking a well help with 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.
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.
Will shocking a well get rid of coliform?
When done properly, shock chlorination will kill all the bacteria existing in a well. A recent Penn State study of wells contaminated by coliform bacteria found that shock chlorination and installation of a sanitary well cap successfully removed the bacteria for one year in 15 percent of the wells.
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 long will I have to wait before I can use my well after shock chlorination?
The exact waiting time ranges from 12 to 24 hours after you’ve added the chlorine and allowed it to circulate through your household plumbing syste...
Is it safe to shock a well?
Yes – though you should take appropriate care when handling the chlorine solution. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and wear prote...
Will water filters remove bacteria?
No. You may use whole-home carbon filters to filter your well water. While carbon filters are effective at removing certain well water contaminants...
How can I be sure that shocking my well worked?
Test the water in your well for contamination after you’ve completed the shock chlorination process. A water test will let you know whether the pro...
What is shock chlorination?
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. If the groundwater itself is the source of bacteria, ...
How long does it take to run a well pump?
Start and stop the well pump several times to mix the chlorine thoroughly with the well water. Do not operate the water system for 2 hours. After 2 hours, open the faucet closest to your well, allow water to run until a strong odor of chlorine is detected, then close the faucet. Proceed to the next faucet and repeat.
How long does shock chlorination last?
Make the treatment when faucets and toilets will not be in use for at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours.
What to do if bacteria are still in well water?
If bacteria are still detected in the well water, repeat the chlorination process and then test the water again. If bacterial contamination is detected a third time, check for potential sources of reinfection such as. an improperly designed wellhead, or. livestock pens or septic tanks near the wellhead.
What is the best disinfectant for a well?
The two most often used for well disinfection are dry chlorine and liquid household bleach. Dry chlorine contains about 65 percent calcium hypochlorite; bleach contains about 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. When used properly, they are equally effective for disinfecting wells.
How to shock a well with bleach?
How to shock a well. Pour two gallons of regular unscented Clorox ® bleach down into the well head. Let the chlorine sit in the well for an hour. Go to the farthest faucet from the well. And turn on both hot and cold water all the way until you either smell chlorine.
What to wear when you are shocked?
Make sure the area is well ventilated. Also, you should wear safe clothing and equipment when shocking a well. Wear goggles to avoid contact with your eyes. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. And rubber boots for your feet . Wear coveralls or waterproof clothing.
Can you shock a well?
SHOCKING A WELL. Shocking a well is usually only a good idea to do once. Normally, it is not a good idea to shock a well on a regular basis. Especially if it has iron or manganese in the water. It is only recommended that a well be shocked one time.
What is shock chlorination?
Shock chlorination is a simple and inexpensive process that can be used to disinfect water supplies that have been contaminated as a result of these one-time contamination incidents. When done properly, shock chlorination will kill all the bacteria existing in a well. A recent Penn State study of wells contaminated by coliform bacteria found ...
What is the most common problem in water wells?
A Common Problem. Bacterial contamination is one of the most common water quality problems in private water wells and springs. A recent survey of 450 private wells in Pennsylvania found that about 35 percent contained coliform bacteria. Past studies have shown that springs are even more susceptible to bacterial contamination.
How long does it take for coliform bacteria to get out of a well?
A recent Penn State study of wells contaminated by coliform bacteria found that shock chlorination and installation of a sanitary well cap successfully removed the bacteria for one year in 15 percent of the wells.
Why is shock chlorination difficult?
Shock chlorination of springs is difficult and rarely successful because the water often runs through the spring box too quickly to provide adequate contact with the chlorine to kill bacteria.
How long after a well is disinfected should you retest your water?
Retesting Your Water. After disinfection of a well, you should retest your water for total coliform bacteria approximately 10 to 14 days later. If no coliform bacteria are present, wait an additional two to three months and have the water tested again.
Can you disenfect a spring box?
Disinfection of the spring box should not be attempted if the spring overflow (the water that does not enter the house) enters a stream, pond, or wetland area where high chlorine water may cause environmental damage especially a fish kill.
Can water treatment equipment be damaged?
Some water treatment equipment can be damaged or exhausted by high chlorine concentrations in water. Contact your water treatment company or equipment manuals to determine if your equipment should be bypassed during shock chlorination.
When is shock chlorination recommended?
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.
What is shock chlorination?
Shock chlorination is the process by which home water systems such as wells, springs, and cisterns are disinfected using household liquid bleach (or chlorine). Shock chlorination is the most widely recommended means of treating bacterial contamination in home water systems.
How to get rid of chlorine smell in well water?
Using the hose, wash down the interior of the well casing for about 15 minutes and close the outdoor faucet. CIRCULATE: Allow the solution to circulate throughout the system.
How long after shock chlorination can you drink water?
Wait one to two weeks after shock chlorinating the water supply system to retest for total coliform and E. coli bacteria. Follow sample collection instructions carefully. If the test results show the absence of coliform bacteria, the water is safe to drink.
How big is a well pipe?
The inside diameter of the casing (well pipe) of a drilled well is typically between 4 and 10 inches. Bored wells are larger, ranging from 12 to 36 inches.
Why is my well water cloudy?
whenever the well is surrounded by flood waters (standing water around or covering the well casing) if well water becomes muddy or cloudy after a rain. if the well has iron bacteria or sulfur-reducing bacteria symptoms like slime (biofilm) or odor.
Can shock chlorination be used to treat a cracked well?
a cracked well casing. Shock chlorination is NOT a recommended method for treating recurring bacteria problems. The source (s) of such contamination should be identified and eliminated by a licensed well driller/contractor. Another option is to install a continuous disinfection treatment system.
What is shock chlorination?
Shock chlorination refers to adding chlorine bleach to your well water to kill bacteria. Read on to learn how to shock chlorinate a well. If your well has tested positive for coliform bacteria it might indicate that the well is under the influence of surface water, or septic tanks leaking into the well, or the well was not properly disinfected ...
How to clean a well house?
Clean the well house, spring house or storage tank or reservoir. Remove debris and scrub or hose off any dirt or other deposits or interior surfaces. Pump to remove any suspended solids or foreign matter in the water if possible. Scrub interior surfaces of well house with a strong chlorine solution containing ½ gallon household bleach or 0.2 oz of dry bleach granules to every 5 gallons of water.
How to get chlorine out of a well?
Mix the chlorine solution above with 10 times as much water before pouring down well. Avoid pouring strong bleach down the well. 6. Open the well cap, or if your well has a well top seal, remove the ½” plug or air vent and use a large funnel to pour chlorine down well.
How long can you leave chlorine in a well?
After the chlorine has been left in the well (and the plumbing system if applicable) for a minimum of 6, up to 12 hours, the chlorinated water can be discharged. Large amounts of chlorinated water should not be discharged into the septic tank, or onto lawns or gardens. 9.
How many gallons of water is in an 8" well?
8” well diameter has 260 gallons per 100 ft of depth. Wait for one to two weeks after shock chlorinating the water supply system and then retest for total coliform and E. coli bacteria. If the test results show the absence of coliform bacteria, the water is safe to drink.
How to mix sanitizer in well water?
It is necessary to circulate the water in the well to mix the sanitizer thoroughly throughout the entire water system. Connect a hose to an outside sillcock (also known as a hose bib) that is located after the pressure tank and run water back down the well (this also rinses the upper portion of the well).
Can you bleach down a well?
Get professional help if needed. Many wells are not easily accessible and you cannot easily add bleach down the well. If you are unsure call your local well driller or pump contractor and arrange professional chlorination and shock treatment.
What is shock disinfection?
The purpose of shock disinfection of a well system is to destroy bacterial contamination present in the well system at the time of disinfection and is not intended to kill bacteria that might be introduced at a later time.
How many gallons of water is in a 425 ft well?
IF (and this is not quite the case) your 425 ft. well were completely full of water and assuming it's a 6-inch casing, that's about 640 gallons of water in the well, plus additional water volume in the piping system.
How to achieve a satisfactory disinfection of the system?
In order to achieve a satisfactory disinfection of the system, the bacteria must be brought in contact with a chlorine solution of sufficient strength and remain in contact with that solution for a sufficient time to achieve a complete kill of all bacteria and other microorganisms .
How high is the column of water in a well?
If the static head in your well - the height to which water reaches when the well is at rest, fully recovered - is just 35 feet, that means that the height of the column of water in the well is just 35 feet.
Can you flush out a well after a failed bacteria test?
In the main article explaining how to shock and flush out a well following a failed bacteria test you will see several Watch Out: warnings that include discussion about problems that can arise during the bleach flush-out process. Here we'll add some more detailed suggestions that can help address the worry of running out of well water during well shocking and flushing.
Can you put Clorox in a well?
Pour Clorox™ Bleach (or an equivalent brand of household bleach) or hypochlorite granules down into the well. Some people use swimming pool chlorine tablets which have the advantage that they sink to and sterilize water at the well bottom, and the disadvantage that it takes longer to flush out the chlorine.
What is shock therapy?
"Shock therapy" was so-called, as an electric shock is used to induce a controlled seizure intended as a treatment , primarily for mood disorders, although other conditions may be treated as well. Shock therapy is now known as electroconvulsive therapy or ECT.
Where is shock therapy performed?
Shock therapy is performed in a hospital, sometimes in an area specifically set aside for this treatment. An intravenous (IV) is inserted to provide anesthetic medication. Vital signs are taken initially and continuously throughout the shock therapy treatment.
How does shock therapy feel?
How Shock Therapy Feels. When you awake from the anesthesia, you may be confused and tired. You will likely experience short-term memory loss around the time of the procedure. With multiple treatments, this may increase. Adverse cognitive effects tend to be the most concerning factors around ECT and tend to affect the frequency and duration ...
How to know if you are recovering from shock?
Your vital signs will be monitored closely after the shock treatment to ensure proper recovery. You may feel head, muscle or back pain. Such discomfort tends to be relieved by mild medications. If any post-treatment effect is concerning you, you should talk to the treating physician immediately.
Is electroconvulsive therapy effective?
Electroconvulsive therapy has also shown effectiveness in treating other disorders such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare, severe, adverse reaction to antipsychotic medication). Shock treatment for depression and other disorders is indicated when the patient needs rapid improvement because the patient is:
Does mania respond to shock?
Mania also often responds well to shock treatment. The picture is not as bright for schizophrenia, which is more difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent relapses. A small number of patients are placed on maintenance shock therapy.
Does shock help with depression?
Shock treatment for depression often produces a dramatic improvement in symptoms, especially in elderly individuals, sometimes during the first week of treatment. While it is estimated many of these patients will experience a future return of depression symptoms, the prognosis for each episode of depression is good. Mania also often responds well to shock treatment. The picture is not as bright for schizophrenia, which is more difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent relapses.
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 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.
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.
Shock Therapy: Process, Preparation, Outcomes and more
Krystina is a Technical Writer with a background in healthcare. She has spent the last 10 years working for an internationally recognized medical facility where she found her passion for making complicated topics easier to understand.
The Electroconvulsive Therapy Process
An ECT treatment regimen will typically include sessions two to three days a week for a total of six to 12 treatments. The schedule works out to about one month of treatment, although the course may continue for longer.
How to Prepare for Your Treatment
ECT sessions generally do not require much preparation, though you will need to go over the specifics with your doctor. Your doctor may give you orders to follow based on other health conditions you have or medications you take.
Potential Outcomes of Shock Therapy
Most people who undergo ECT will see a noticeable change in their symptoms. Some people will notice an immediate improvement after one session. However, it is more common to not see or feel a significant difference in symptoms for several sessions.
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be used to treat major depressive disorde r, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric conditions. It is often considered when other treatments have not helped.
A Word From Verywell
If you are wondering if shock therapy might be a treatment option for you, discuss it with your psychiatrist. While ECT can provide lasting relief from the symptoms of MDD, bipolar disorder, and similar conditions, it's not the right choice for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even though ECT has been around for nearly 90 years, scientists still are not quite sure why or how it benefits some people with depression.