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.
What is the best way to shock a well?
What is the best way to shock a well? You can use specific tablets for the purpose. It’s by far the easiest way. If your well has been swamped or otherwise contaminated by microorganisms, it may be necessary to sanitize it. Granules or liquid chlorine in the form of home bleach can all be used.
How do you clean a well with shock chlorine?
Shock Chlorinate Sanitize Wells: Shock Chlorinate a Well Using Liquid Chlorine Bleach: 1 Clean the well house, spring house or storage tank or reservoir. 2 Remove debris and scrub or hose off any dirt or other deposits or interior surfaces. 3 Pump to remove any suspended solids or foreign matter in the water if possible. ...
What is shock disinfection of a well?
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. Our photo shows an owner who has lifted the loose, poorly-sealed well piping and cap right off of the steel well casing.
How do I prevent electric shock from the water pump?
Preventing electric shock from the water pump. Before removing the well cap or cover, turn the pump circuit breaker off. In Step 3 of the shock chlorination process below, you will need to turn the power back on, but be sure to turn the pump circuit breaker off again before replacing the well cap or cover (Step 6). Wear waterproof rubber boots.
How do you shock treat your well?
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.
Where do you pour chlorine in a well?
Open the vent or remove the test hole plug. Depending on the type of well, you may need to open the vent pipe in order to pour in the chlorine. The vent pipe should be located on the wellhead, it's usually about 6 inches (15.2 cm) in length and 1/2 an inch in diameter.
Can you put shock in your well?
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 much chlorine do I need to shock a drilled well?
To properly disinfect a well and water supply system, the minimum concentration of chlorine in the well should be 100 to 300 parts per million (ppm), depending on the need for disinfection. For minor repairs outside the well, a minimum chlorine concentration of 100 ppm is recommended.
How long do I run water after shocking well?
Run the water to flush the bleach solution out of the well. Monitor the process, it can take 30 minutes to 24 hours or more to flush all of the bleach solution from the well. Use chlorine test papers to verify that the water coming from the outside faucet or yard hydrant is clear of any bleach solution.
How often should you shock a well?
Homeowners with private wells should have their well water tested every 3 to 5 years for some contaminants, including bacteria.
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.
Can I put a chlorine tablet 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.
Should I pour bleach in my well?
Bleach should not be put into the well straight from the bottle. The general recommendation is to dilute the laundry bleach 1:100, (one gallon of bleach to 100 gallons or water; half a gallon of bleach to 50 gallons of water; a quart of bleach to 25 gallons of water.)
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.
Can you use javex to shock a well?
You can disinfect your well with household chlorine bleach, such as Javex®. Use fresh chlorine bleach to ensure an effective disinfection of the well.
How do you clean sediment out of a well?
0:0518:04Removing Silt/Mud Sediment from our Well - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo basically the idea is we'll put this down into the well we'll turn it right and it's kind ofMoreSo basically the idea is we'll put this down into the well we'll turn it right and it's kind of roughened up down here.
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...
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.
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 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).
What to wear when using chlorine?
Because of the volatile and corrosive nature of the concentrated chlorine solution, it is important to wear eye goggles, protective clothing, rubber gloves, and boots. 2. Mix and add chlorine solution in a well-ventilated area. High chlorine levels in water after shock chlorination.
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 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.
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 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.
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 to treat high test hypochlorite?
High-test hypochlorite is available in powder or tablet form. To treat a well: First, drain as much water from the system as possible. If the system has a pressure tank that contains a bladder, the rubber air-water separator in the tank may be damaged by the chlorine solution.
How to fill a water tank with chlorinated water?
If the pressure tank has no bladder, release the air to allow the tank to be filled with chlorinated water. Also drain all hot water heaters to allow chlorinated water to circulate through the hot water system. Remove the plug or screen on the well cap so you have access to the inside well casing.
What does shocking a well mean?
Well Shocking means high levels of chlorine are introduced into the water source and plumbing system for a temporary period in order to kill bacteria . While shock chlorination is a relatively economical, "quick fix" to treat bacteria in a well, the solution is only temporary and not always reliable.
How long should you wait to use water after a chemical shock?
With chemical well shocking, once you’ve added the chlorine and circulated through the plumbing system, you should wait 12-24 hours before using your water. After flushing the whole system, you should test your water again to make sure the shocking was effective, and your water is free of bacteria .
How often should you chlorinate your well water?
How often should you chlorinate your well depends on if and when bacteria is present. Since you can’t see, smell, or taste bacteria in your water, you'll need to test your well water often. With chemical shock treatments, the process will need to be repeated every time bacteria is present, understanding that even after you’ve shocked your well, ...
How long after shocking water should you test it again?
Shocking or chlorinating a well may temporarily correct the bacteria problem (or taste and odor issues). One to two weeks after shocking, you should test the water again for E. coli, iron bacteria, and coliform bacteria.
Why does water level rise in a well?
Water levels in a well rise and fall over time, introducing new opportunities for bacterial growth. Seasonality plays a significant role, with a general increase in well water contamination in the Spring due to thawing snow runoff. Significant rainfall and flooding can introduce bacteria to a private well.
What are the threats to a private well?
Significant rainfall and flooding can introduce bacteria to a private well. Manure from large-scale animal feeding operations is a threat to drinking water. Run-off from fertilizers and pesticides is a common concern of well owners.
Is UV light good for well water?
Installing a UV light for well water provides the following benefits: UV light for well water provides a long-term reliable method of treating well water by running the water over a UV light that kills bacteria and viruses . This process of exposing water to UV light is simple but effective, and destroys 99.99 percent of harmful microorganisms, ...
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.
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.
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.
What to wear when adding chlorine to water?
Because of the volatile and corrosive nature of the concentrated chlorine solution, it is important to wear appropriate clothing, including goggles, a protective apron, and rubber gloves and boots. Mix and add chlorine solution in a well-ventilated area. High chlorine levels in water after shock chlorination.
What to wear when chlorinating water?
Wear waterproof rubber boots. Protecting components of water supply and treatment devices. Shock chlorinating a water supply system can potentially damage components such as pressure tanks, some filters and filter media, and other treatment devices.
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.
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 chlorine be used in crockery?
Watch out: when working with chlorine, people should be in a well-ventilated place. The powder or strong liquid should not come in contact with skin or clothing. Solutions are best handled in wood or crockery containers because metals are corroded by strong chlorine solutions.
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 does it mean to shock a well?
Therefore, shocking a well means to perform some sudden action that will change the quality of the water. The bacteria will be attacked suddenly and little to no chance exist for its recovery because of the sudden procedure. Shocking a well does not mean to electrocute the well.
How to keep a well clean?
Turn off the power before working on the well. Wear waterproof rubber shoes or boots. Chemical Safety. Chlorine or bleach is dangerous for the human body especially for eyes, so be vigilant while using it and follow the safety directions.
What is shock chlorination?
Shock chlorination is a method to control and remove the bacteria from water wells. It includes adding a particular amount of chlorine or household bleach in the well and pumping it by using a water distribution system. After adding the bleach or chlorine pumping allows the well to circulate through all the water system and faucets.
What is the most damaging thing to remove from a well?
There are many particles that are hazardous to our health and for well, but the most damaging is iron bacteria and sulphate-reducing bacteria . To remove these bacteria from your well there is only one profound method: shocking a well with chlorination. Therefore, shocking a well means to perform some sudden action that will change the quality ...
Why is it important to have a well filter?
Safe and healthy water keeps you protected from any unforeseen diseases and other harmful elements. Using a good quality well filter can also improve the water. We have prepared a comprehensive tutorial so you know how to shock a well in a safe and efficient way.
Can shocking a well be dangerous?
Shocking a well does not mean to electrocute the well. Doing any such thing can be extremely harmful because the water goes through the home as well. Ineffective insulation can result in any dangerous situation.
Can potassium chlorate be used in a well?
No, it is not suitable to use Potassium Chlorate for shocking a well neither we will advise you to do so. The reason being, if dissolved in water Potassium Chlorate may leave the salt like substance in the bottom of well and corners which can’t be removed and water will be not suitable to use. Safety Precautions.
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.
