2️⃣ How to Shock Chlorinate a Well Using Liquid Chlorine Bleach
- Again, start by cleaning the components of the well system you plan to shock chlorinate, following step 1 above. Scrub...
- Your next job is to figure out the amount of chlorine you require for disinfection. For this, you’ll need to know the...
- In a large container, combine your chlorine solution with a...
How do you shock chlorinate a well water?
A common question homeowners on well water have is how to shock chlorinate a well. A positive test for Coliform bacteria in a well or home piping system indicates that disease-causing bacteria and viruses are likely to be present. Shock chlorination refers to adding chlorine bleach to your well water to kill bacteria.
How do I Shock my well?
If you must shock the well then we would recommend you follow these instructions to do so. 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.
How do you shock-chlorinate water in a storage tank?
Alternatively, the water already in the storage tank can be shock-chlorinated. This procedure requires knowledge of (1) the relative strength or concentration of chlorine in the product used, (2) the volume in gallons of the water stored in the tank, and (3) the contact time needed to allow the chlorine to react with and disinfect the stored water.
Should you add chlorine to your well water?
By adding chlorine to your well, the pH of the water is raised to a point that is toxic to bacteria and pests, killing them in a matter of hours. So, how often should you shock a well?
How do you shock chlorinate well?
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 much chlorine do you put in a well to shock it?
CALCULATE AND POUR: Pour 3 pints of chlorine bleach per 100 gallons of water plus an additional 3 pints into your well as described above. MIX: Attach a clean garden hose to the outdoor faucet nearest the well and place the end of the hose inside the well.
How many gallons of bleach do you need to shock a 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.
How long do you wait after you shock a well with bleach?
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 often should you chlorinate your well?
every 3 to 5 yearsHomeowners with private wells should have their well water tested every 3 to 5 years for some contaminants, including bacteria.
Can you put too much chlorine in a well?
Clear chlorine from the well by running an outside hose to the ground surface. Then run clear water through the faucets until the water no longer smells of chlorine. Avoid putting too much chlorine into the septic system, too much chlorine may kill the bacteria needed for septic decomposition.
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.
Should I pour bleach down 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.
How long does it take to flush chlorine from 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.
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.
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 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.
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 does chlorine stay in well?
30 minutes to 24 hoursRun 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.
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...
How long after shock chlorination should you test your well water?
It’s also worth noting that shocking your well system doesn’t provide a permanent solution. About 1-2 weeks after shock chlorination, you should test your well water supply again. If bacteria is present, this points to a bigger problem that may require solving, such as a nearby leaking septic tank or a cracked well casing.
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 system, including your pipes, pressure tank, and hot water heater. You’ll have to flush your whole water system once the period of 24 hours has passed, then do a test of your water in the well system again to check that the chlorine solution did its job. If your water is free from bacterial contamination once more, you’re good to start drinking it again.
How long does it take for a well to smell?
To make sure the chlorine is thoroughly mixed throughout the well system, attach a garden hose to the well’s hose bib (it should be near to your pressure tank) and send water back down your well system. This will also give the upper area of the well a rinse. Once around 15 minutes have passed, you should detect a strong chlorine odor. Check your hot water faucets for a strong chlorine odor. Be patient – but if you can’t detect a chlorine smell after 20 minutes, you may need to mix up some more.
What is the best pellet for shock chlorination?
Dry pellets that contain 70% calcium hypochlorite are ideal for shock chlorination of wells, cisterns and storage tanks. The exact number of pellets required will be determined by how much water the well contains. Dried pellets tend to be the easiest and safest treatment option.
How to clean a well with pellets?
Fill a 5-gallon container with standing water, then measure out the pellets or granules needed and add them to the container. Always add the pellets to standing water and not the other way around. Next, carefully pour the solution into your well system. This will clean the upper part of the well.
What is the best concentration of chlorine for shock chlorination?
When carrying out shock chlorination of a well, you ideally should aim for a chlorine concentration of 100 PPM.
What is shock chlorination?
Shock chlorination involves treating your well with a chlorine solution in order to kill bacteria.
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.
How long can you let chlorine sit?
Some people just wait until it has sat with chlorine overnight. And this is ok. But if you can let it sit 24 hours, that is a good idea. Remember, chlorine is very volatile. It is dangerous to work with in small or confined areas. Make sure the area is well ventilated.
Why does hot water take longer to run?
Hot water will usually take longer. Because the water has to work its way through the hot water tank. Once you smell the chlorine on the hot water side. Shut off that faucet and open up every faucet inside and outside of the house. Including washing machines, hose bibs, dishwashers etc.
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 be shocked once in a well?
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. And has never been shocked before. If you have iron bacteria or sulfur odors. Or if it has been shocked before.
Is it safe to shock a well with iron?
Shocking a well is not always a good idea. Never shock a well with iron.
Is it hard to chlorinate water?
You will likely have to chlorinate the water if you have iron, manganese, lots of sediment or if the water is very hard at all. Medium hard is TOO hard for UV. But that is usually pretty easy and inexpensive to do as a rule. So don't worry.
How to clean a well with chlorine?
Connect a garden hose to a nearby faucet and run the hose to the funnel in the well’s access hole to wash down the inside of the well. Continue the washing process for 10 minutes and make sure a strong chlorine smell can be detected. Start and stop the well pump several times to mix the chlorine thoroughly with the well water.
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 determine how much chlorine to use in a well?
The amount of chlorine needed is determined by the amount of water standing in the well. Contact the company that constructed your well to find out the water well depth and static water level. The standing water depth in the well will be the well depth minus the static water level. For example, a water well 110 feet deep with a static water level of 90 feet would contain a standing water depth of 20 feet (110 feet – 90 feet = 20 feet). Table 1 lists the amount of ordinary household bleach (5.25 percent hypochlorite) needed for shock chlorination based on the casing diameter of the well and the standing water depth in the well. If the standing water depth of the water in the well is unknown, use a volume of bleach equal to two times the depth value for the appropriate casing diameter. For example, an 8-inch casing diameter with unknown standing water depth would require 3 gallons of household bleach. Do not use more bleach than recommended because it is not necessary and will require additional flushing before you can use the water. Table 2 shows the amount of dry chlorine (high-test hypochlorite) to use. High-test hypochlorite is available in powder or tablet form.
How to get rid of chlorine smell in septic system?
Begin by turning on outside faucets and letting the water run until the chlorine smell dissipates. Let the water run on the ground to reduce the load on your septic system. High loads of chlorine in the septic tank can kill beneficial bacteria and make it necessary to re-inoculate the septic system. But do not let the chlorinated water run onto lawns, gardens or other plants because chlorine can injure them. Place the garden hose so that it drains into a field or low-lying area away from desirable plants. Be careful not to discharge the chlorinated water directly into ponds, lakes, rivers or streams.
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.
How much chlorine is toxic to bacteria?
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.
How Long Will It Take for Chlorinated Water in a Shocked Well to Reach the House?
In a well 700ft deep - how long until the chlorine smell will be get to the house? - B.S.
How long does it take for water to smell after a well shock?
It's reasonable to expect to smell the chlorinated water at a faucet in a typical one family home within 4 to 10 minutes after shocking the well.
How many cups of bleach per gallon?
1. Checking the math: Using a standard of 3 US Cups of Bleach / 100' of 6" well casing = 0.02 cups per foot where 1 foot of 6" casing is about 1.5 gallons, so 0.02 Cups / 1.5 gallons, or 0.013 cups/gallon - that's a concentration of (0.013cups x 8 oz/cup) or 0.1 liquid ounce of bleach per gallon or 1 ounce of bleach for every 10 gallons of water to be made into a well disinfectant solution.
How long does it take for a disinfectant to work in a well?
Watch out: for inadequate well disinfection: use enough bleach to reach the necessary concentration in the well and let the disinfectant remain in the well long enough (8-24 hours) - otherwise you may fail to adequately disinfect the well.
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 long does it take to retest water after chlorine?
Retest the well water after all the Clorox or chlorine is out of the system and the water has been used for 5-7 days (typical health department guideline) or 7-10 days (my suggestion) after the disinfection.
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.
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 ...
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 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.
What does it mean when a well has a positive coliform test?
Homeowners often assume that a positive test for coliform bacteria in their well or spring indicates a contamination problem that must be treated continuously with a disinfection treatment system such as ultraviolet light or chlorination. However, some positive bacteria tests are the result of a less serious, one-time contamination incident. For example, bacteria may be introduced when a new submersible pump is installed in a well or from surface runoff during an unusually heavy rainfall. 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.
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.
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.
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.
When to carry out the shocking process
You should take the initiative of shock chlorinating as soon as you notice that there are harmful bacteria in your water or well system. There are four main ways to tell that your water system needs to be shock chlorinated.
Dangers of Shock Chlorinating a well
The process of shock chlorinating is likely to increase the arsenic levels in your water. This mainly occurs in places where aquifer deposits have high arsenic levels. It is natural for arsenic to occur in States like Georgia that are located in the Southern Coastal Plain. Drinking water from various private wells in these States contain arsenic.
Preparing for the shock chlorinating process
This process is used to clear bacterial contamination that may be in well water, well casings, the water supply system, and holding tanks. While this process can be carried out by a licensed well driller or contractor, you can also prepare for the shock chlorination process by following these considerations:
When is water ready for drinking after the shock chlorination process?
No-one should consume tap water immediately after the process. You should wait for about two weeks and retest the water for bacteria. The water is safe to drink when the test results show no presence of coliform or E. coli bacteria.
Most appropriate chlorine bleach when shock chlorinating your water system
Your water system is a sensitive area and you need to therefore get everything right before you carry out the shock Chlorination procedure. Use plain, unscented chlorine bleach that is commonly used in homes and is also affordable. Avoid going for a fresh scent, lemon, or any chlorine products that are scented.
How much chlorine should you use?
If you intend to shock a well using laundry bleach, use 3 pints for every 100 gallons of water in the water system or well. You may be wondering how to determine the amount of water in a well. The following steps will help you.
How to Shock a Well using these steps
This process does not require much professional expertise and with simple guidelines, you can do it yourself. The process follows various steps to fight bacteria in wells or water systems.
What to do if chlorine smells?
If the chlorine smell remains strong and does not appear to be decreasing, consider obtaining drinking water from another source (for example, bottled water) until chlorine levels have dissipated sufficiently. Chlorinated water may be used for purposes other than consumption to help speed up the dissipation process.
How to mix chlorine in a storage tank?
Always wear eye protection, rubber gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when handling and mixing chlorine. To introduce chlorine into a storage tank, particularly when using dry power or tablet forms, place the desired amount of chlorine into a 5-gallon bucket and fill the bucket with clean water. Thoroughly mix together the chlorine and water before pouring the entire contents of the bucket into the storage tank.
How to disinfect a water tank?
After determining the appropriate amount of chlorine disinfecting product to use, add it to the tank and allow it to react with the stored water for 12 to 24 hours. Once the chlorine has completely dispersed throughout the tank and has been allowed to set for another two hours, open the faucet closest to the storage tank and allow the water to run until you smell chlorine (bleach). Immediately turn off this faucet and move to the next closest faucet. Repeat the process until all faucets serviced by the tank have been opened, chlorine detected, then shut off. Allow the chlorinated water to react with the distribution system for an additional 12 to 24 hours.
How to ensure that all bacteria have been properly destroyed by the sanitation process?
To ensure that all bacteria have been properly destroyed by the sanitation process, submit water samples from a faucet served by the storage tank to a laboratory approved for bacterial analysis of drinking water.
What is the treatment of drinking water to improve its sanitary or bacteriological quality?
Treatment of drinking water to improve its sanitary or bacteriological quality is referred to as disinfection. Shock chlorination is one disinfection method employed by public suppliers to reduce bacterial contamination of water. This method also can be used by private water-well owners.
Can you use chlorinated water in a septic system?
Chlorinated water may be used for purposes other than consumption to help speed up the dissipation process. However, do not allow highly concentrated chlorinated water to enter septic systems. Water high in chlorine can harm microbial populations in a septic tank.
Does chlorine kill bacteria?
Finally, note that the first treatment of water with chlorine may not kill all bacteria. Subsequent treatments may be required to kill them all. If bacterial contamination continues, seek professional help to locate the potential source of contamination and/or methods to treat the water continuously to eliminate harmful bacteria effectively. To determine if bacterial contamination has been eliminated, submit a well-water sample to an approved bacteria testing laboratory. For a list of approved labs, contact your local health department or Texas Cooperative Extension office.
