Well Water Treatment Services

Water Treatment & Well Chlorination

It is estimated that more than 13 million households rely on private wells for drinking water in the United States. The EPA does not regulate private wells, nor does it provide recommended criteria or standards for individual wells. EPA offers information regarding the importance of maintaining private wells and guidance on technologies that may be used to treat or remove any contaminants.

Private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water, so it is highly recommended to treat your private well annually to safeguard your family against coliform / ecoli bacteria, fertilizers, and pH levels. You may want to treat more frequently if small children or elderly adults live in your house or if someone in your house is pregnant or nursing as these segments of the population are often more vulnerable to pollutants than others.

You should also treat your private well immediately if:

• There are known problems with ground water or drinking water in your area.
• Conditions near your well have changed significantly (i.e., flooding, land disturbances, and new construction or industrial activity)
• You replace or repair any part of your well system.
• You notice a change in your water quality (i.e., odor, color, taste)

In addition, well owners should also determine if the ground water you rely on for household use is under direct influence from surface water. Ground water under the direct influence of surface water is susceptible to contamination from activities on the surface.

Disinfecting a Domestic Well with Shock Chlorination

Shock chlorination is a disinfection treatment recommended when a domestic drinking water system is contaminated with bacteria. Shock chlorination introduces high levels of chlorine into a well water system. During the disinfection process, water from the system is less than suitable for consumption or extended contact by people or animals. Plan to perform the disinfection process when faucets and toilets will not be in use for at least 8 hours, preferably 12 to 24 hours.

Shock chlorination will be most effective if the chlorine reaches every part of the water system. Most water treatment equipment (such as water heaters, softeners, and pressure tanks), should also be disinfected. Water filters, such as carbon filters, should be changed before shock chlorination.

Disinfection Procedure

• Pour 2 gallons of (Germicidal Bleach) not household bleach into the well.
• Open each faucet throughout the entire home and let the water run until a strong chlorine odor is detected, then turn it off.
• Flush all the toilets.
• Allow chlorinated water to stand in the well and pipes for at least 8 hours (preferably 12 to 24 hours).
• Return in 24 to 48 hours and run all the indoor faucets / toilets until there is no chlorine odor.
• Retest water quality

If water tests still shows biological contamination has reappeared or persisted, try to locate, and remove the source of bacteria. Human and animal wastes are common causes of bacterial contamination, so a nearby septic system could be the source.

If the follow-up water test shows no bacterial contamination, you should still test your water once a year. If there is a change in the taste or smell of your water, or if there are unexplained illnesses in the household, test the water as soon as you notice the change.

Learn more at these valuable sources.

EPA Water Testing Facts

EPA Water Quality Guide

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Please call Five Star Home Inspections@ 855-500-3744 Ext-1 to schedule or add-on your well chlorination today.

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