Disinfecting a Water Well through Shock Chlorination

This method is only for private wells with properly functioning submersible pumps.[1] If your well uses a jet pump or your system is damaged, the following instructions for the disinfection process will not work. An indication that your well is damaged can be a decrease in water pressure once turned on. Contact a certified contractor for examination.

Wells can become contaminated in several ways. Flood water can carry contaminants into the well. An improperly working septic system or livestock grazing near the well access can introduce bacteria. Ingesting or being exposed to contaminated water may cause sickness, so it should not be used for:

• drinking.
• cooking.
• making ice.
• bathing in any form.
• washing clothes or dishes.

If you think your well system may be contaminated, alternative drinking water options include bottled water, water boiled for 1 minute, or water from a source you know isn’t contaminated. Disinfection can eliminate or reduce harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that may be found in your drinking water. To ensure a safe and effective disinfection process, follow these step-by-step instructions to shock chlorinate your well:

Preparation Phase

Tools Needed

• wrench to access the well
• garden hose long enough to reach from an outdoor water faucet to the well
• protective goggles and gloves
• clean 5-gallon bucket
• 5 gallons of uncontaminated water (for example, bottled water)
• funnel
• unscented, household liquid bleach less than 6 months old

Calculating Amount of Bleach Needed

The amount of bleach to be used in the disinfection process will depend on the water depth inside your well. To calculate the water depth in the well, subtract the static water level (distance from land surface to the water in the well) from the total depth of the well. If you are uncertain of your static water level, use the total well depth along with the diameter of your well to find in Table 1 the amount of bleach you need to use.

Table 1. Amount of unscented, household liquid chlorine bleach needed for well disinfection.

Water depth in well (feet)	4-inch well diameter	6-inch well diameter	8-inch well diameter	24-inch well diameter	36-inch well diameter
10	6 cups	7 cups	8 cups	20 cups	2.5 gallons
20	7 cups	8 cups	10 cups	2.5 gallons	4.5 gallons
50	8 cups	10 cups	14 cups	5 gallons	10.5 gallons
100	10 cups	16 cups	22 cups
150	12 cups	20 cups	30 cups
200	14 cups	1.5 gallons	2.5 gallons
400	22 cups	2.5 gallons	4.5 gallons

4 cups = 0.25 gal; 8 cups = 0.5 gal; 12 cups = 0.75 gal; 16 cups = 1 gal

WARNING: Excessive chlorination can be harmful. Follow Table 1 carefully.

 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Flush the well.

• Remove all debris near the well. Check the well for damage. Remember, if your well is damaged, this process will not work.
• If you have noticed cloudy or muddy water coming from the well, connect a garden hose to the outside faucet nearest to the well, turn the water on at the faucet, and let it run until the water is clear and free of sediments.

Step 2. Turn the power off.

• Turn off electrical power to the pump by turning off the circuit breaker.
• Disconnect water softeners or household water filters by switching to bypass mode or the “out of service” position.

Step 3. Open the well.

• For a well seal, remove the threaded well plug for access; for a well cap or sanitary cap, remove the bolts from the cap and lift for access.
• If your well cannot be accessed in these ways, call a contractor for further assistance.

Step 4. Mix bleach water solution.

• Fill the 5-gallon bucket about three-quarters full with bottled water.
• Look back at Table 1 to determine how much bleach is needed.
• Add the bleach to the bucket of water.
• Using the funnel, pour the bleach solution into the threaded well plug or well casing. Be careful not to splash/spill the solution.

Step 5. Recirculate the chlorinated water.

• Turn on the circuit breaker to the pump.
• Connect a garden hose to the outdoor faucet nearest to the well.
• For a well seal, place the funnel into your well’s access point and put the garden hose into the funnel. For well caps and covers, place the garden hose into the well casing.
• Turn the water on and let it run for 30 minutes to circulate the bleach within the well.

Step 6. Run chlorine solution through all faucets.

• Run the chlorinated water throughout the outside spigots, and work your way inside the house by turning on each tap one at a time until you smell bleach. Once you smell or detect bleach, turn the tap off.
• Repeat this step for both hot and cold taps, toilet and shower/bath taps, and outside faucets.
• Leave the chlorinated water in the plumbing for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight.

Step 7. Flush the chlorinated water.

• Connect a garden hose to an outdoor faucet and run the water until you no longer smell chlorine.
• Keep the running water away from your septic system, landscaping, and bodies of water.
• Turn off the garden hose once you can no longer smell chlorine.
• Begin turning on each fixture inside the house one at a time until the chlorine smell is no longer present.

Step 8. Disinfect and reconnect water treatments.

• Disinfect home water softeners or household filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and then reconnect those devices. Do not drink the water until it has been tested.
• Send a water sample to a lab to ensure it is safe to use.

IMPORTANT: Before using the water for drinking, cooking, making ice, or preparing food, have the water tested by a certified laboratory. If disinfection attempts fail, the well may need to be cleaned before it is disinfected again. Contact a contractor or local health department for help.

For More Information

Mississippi State Department of Health

Water Supply Certification: In-State Participating Labs

https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,1112,188.html

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This procedure is based on well-disinfection protocols from the Florida Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Health, Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Publication 3398 (POD-10-19)

By Drew M. Gholson, PhD, Assistant Extension Professor, National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research, Delta Research and Extension Center; and Jason R. Barrett, PhD, Assistant Extension Professor, Center for Government and Community Development.

Copyright 2019 by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved. This publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Produced by Agricultural Communications.

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Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. GARY B. JACKSON, Director