Steps to be followed during Chlorination of Domestic Wells
The below steps are to be followed for the chlorination of water wells.
- Measure the diameter of the well.
- Measure the depth of the well.
- From the following table, obtain the volume of water contained in your well for every foot length:
- After calculating the number of gallons of water in the well, calculate the amount of chlorine-containing material (i.e. household bleach (Javex) or calcium hypochlorite – that is 64 oz of Javex solution or 0.5 lbs of calcium hypochlorite for every 100 gallons of water).
- Before disinfecting the water supply system, remove or bypass any carbon filter in the system. A filter will tend to remove the chlorine.
- Thoroughly mix the chlorine solution or powder with the water in the well (e.g. take a garden hose to the well and run it until mixed).
- Open all the cold water taps in the pressure system until you can smell chlorine and then turn the taps off. This will chlorinate the plumbing fixtures.
- After 12 hours, pump this off through your garden hose until the strong smell of chlorine disappears. The remaining amount will not be harmful.
- Send a water sample to the local health unit for a bacteriological examination after a week.
- If the tests show continuing contamination, a second treatment and additional tests should be conducted. It is recommended that a well contractor be contacted to surge the well and the surrounding formation with a strong chlorine solution.
- The source of the problem should be investigated and corrected if the treatment isn’t successful. To evade contamination, a new well needs to be constructed.
If you require additional assistance in finding the right level of chlorine to disinfect your well, please give us a call today!