Well Water Program

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. Retest the water after 2-3 days.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step-by-Step Instructions for Shock Chlorination

1 Create an opening

Create an opening at the top of the well to pour in the chlorine solution. Well caps vary; this step may be easier for some wells than others.

• If a flat or domed cap on top of a well with no pipes sticking upout of it, you can unbolt the cap and remove it
   
• If pipes stick up from the well cap, do not remove the bolts! The bolts hold down the bottom plate of the seal and if you remove the bolts, the bottom plate will drop down your well. In addition, the weight of the pump may be resting on the cap, and if you remove the cap, you may lose your pump down the well. The best option is the vent pipe hole. If you can remove this short piece of pipe that sticks up out of the cap, you can use that hole to pour down the chlorine solution. If you have difficulties with this step, call well or pump professional for assistance

2 Determine amount of bleach

Determine the amount of bleach you will need. An initial chlorine concentration of 50 to 100 parts per million (ppm) is recommended. To estimate how much bleach to use for this concentration, use the table below based on the well diameter and depth of water in the well. Note: Do not use the total depth of the well; the depth of water is the distance from the water level to the bottom of the well. This information is on your well log. Your local Watermaster can help you get a copy of your well log. Your well driller may also have this information.

Amount of Ordinary Chlorine Laundry Bleach Needed to Shock a Well
(roughly 100 ppm)

Depth of Water in Well (feet)

Well diameter (in)Less than 50'50-100'100-150'150' or greater

21 cup1 cup1 cup1 cup

41 cup2 cups3 cups4 cups (1 quart)

62 cups4 cups (1 quart)6 cups (1 1/2 quarts)8 cups (2 quarts)

84 cups (1 quart)8 cups (2 quarts)8 cups (2 quarts)12 cups (3 quarts)

108 cups (2 quarts)12 cups (3 quarts)12 cups (3 quarts)16 cups (4 quarts/1 gallon)

128 cups (2 quarts)12 cups (3 quarts)16 cups (4 quarts/1 gallon)16 cups (4 quarts/1 gallon)

3 Right type of chlorine bleach

Make sure you have the right type of chlorine bleach.

Use plain liquid laundry bleach (Chlorox, Purex, or a generic brand). Do not use bleach with additives or special scents. The label should say sodium hypochlorite and the concentration should be about 5-6%.

4 Dilute the bleach

Use 2 cups or less per 2 gallon bucket of water. Straight chlorine can corrode metal well parts.

5 Pour the diluted bleach

Pour the diluted chlorine bleach solution down the well. Be careful not to splash on clothes or skin.

6 Mix

Mix the chlorine and well water. Attach a hose to a faucet near the well and run the water. After you smell chlorine, direct the water from the hose back down into the top of the well (if you don't smell chlorine after a few minutes, add some more before circulating the water).

7 check if chlorinated

Make sure the system is chlorinated by opening each fixture (sink, shower, outdoor faucet, etc.) one at a time and let water run until you smell chlorine. Be sure to run hot water to draw chlorine into the water heater. If you don't smell chlorine, add more diluted bleach solution and circulate with the hose again.

8 Hold chlorine in pipes

Hold the chlorine in the pipes 6-12 hours and don't use the water! (A few toilet flushes are okay).

9 Remove chlorinated water

Remove chlorinated water from well and pipes. Run a hose outdoors until you no longer smell chlorine. Don't use this water on plants. Next, run chlorine water out of plumbing. Less water down the drain is better for the septic tank.

10 Test

About 3 days later, test for coliform bacteria. Do not consume the water until you receive "clean" test results.

Prepared by Gail Andrews, OSU Extension Service, February 2002