It is important to disinfect both the well and plumbing with 4 percent to 6 percent chlorine, non-scented household bleach to ensure that all infectious agents are killed. If you have water treatment devices, remove all membranes, cartridges and filters and replace them after the chlorination process is completed.
The amount of chlorine and the length of time you allow it to remain in your system are equally important. Common unscented laundry bleach can be used effectively as a chlorine disinfectant. Follow these steps for the recommended usage amount of chlorine bleach:
- If the water is discolored before chlorination, run the water until it is clear for up to 10 minutes.
- Turn off and then drain your hot water heater. Chlorine is not effective in water above 105 degrees.
- Remove and replace charcoal filters after the chlorination process is completed.
- To avoid adding contamination to the well during disinfection, first clean the work area around the top of the well. Remove grease and mineral deposits from accessible parts of the well head and flush the outside surfaces with one-half cup of laundry bleach in five gallons of water.
- Turn off the pump. Remove the cap or the well plug on the rubber seal. There are many types of well caps and plugs. If you have questions, you should contact a licensed well driller. If you have a submersible pump, you may also want to contact a licensed well driller for advice on disinfection procedures.
- Try to coat the sides of the casing as you pour in one gallon of unscented household bleach (4 percent to 6 percent). If you get chlorine on the pump or wiring, flush it thoroughly with fresh water to prevent later corrosion.
- Re-cap or plug the well opening and wait 30 minutes.
- Turn on and, if needed, re-prime the pump. Open all the faucets on the system one by one. Allow the water to run until there is a noticeable smell of chlorine. You may also want to flush the toilets. If you have outside faucets, you may want to direct the water away from sensitive plants. If you cannot detect a chlorine odor, re-chlorinate the well.
- Turn off all the faucets and allow the chlorine to remain in the system for at least eight hours.
- Backwash water softeners, sand filters and iron removal filters with chlorinated water.
- Again open all the faucets and run the water until there is no chlorine smell -- for up to 15 minutes.