How
to Chlorinate
Your Well Water
If you rely on a well for your water, you may have to chlorinate it from
time to time. Chlorination refers to the process of flushing your well
and water system with a chlorine solution.
 This
process is usually applied in order to accomplish one of the following:
• Disinfecting to “neutralize” coliform bacteria
• Disinfecting after making repairs to your well or following extended
periods of non-use
• Temporary elimination of hydrogen sulphide (or “rotten egg”)
odours
• Temporary removal of iron and manganese build-up
• Removal of bacteria that create slime
This pamphlet outlines steps to assist you in chlorinating your well and
water system.
PLEASE
BE SURE TO READ ALL OF THE
INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING!
Here are the steps to follow:
| 1 |
Before
you begin the chlorination process, store enough water to meet your
household needs for a minimum of 24 hours.
|
| 2 |
Next,
remove any filter, water conditioners, or any type of water treatment
system, or find a way to by-pass them during chlorination.
|
| 3 |
Use
the chart below to determine the amount of chlorine solution that
is
recommended for your water system. For dug wells use approximately
1 litre
of chlorine solution for every 100 litres of water. |
Note: The chlorine solution is simply common unscented household
bleach, containing 3-5% sodium hypochlorite.
| Well
Depth (ft) |
Vol.
of Chlorine Solution (litres) per diameter of Well |
| 4
inch |
5
inch
|
6
inch |
| less
than 50 |
1 |
2 |
3.5 |
| 50-100 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
| 101-150 |
3.5 |
7 |
10 |
| 151-200 |
4.5 |
9 |
13.5 |
| 201-250 |
5.5 |
11 |
17 |
| 251-300 |
7 |
13.5 |
20.5 |
| 301-350 |
8 |
16 |
24 |
| 351-400 |
9 |
18 |
27 |
| 4 |
Pour the chlorine solution into your well. If your well head is
buried, excavation is probably required. An alternative is to apply
the chlorine solution through an air line, if there is one leading
from the well to your home. |
There are two methods for using the air line: You can either insert the
air line into the container of chlorine solution and pump your well until
all of the solution is consumed, or simply pour the solution into the
air line. (If you use either of these methods, flush the air line out
with clean water after chlorinating your well.)
| 5 |
Attach
a garden hose to an outside faucet and place the other end into
the well. Turn on the outside faucet and allow the water to circulate
for approximately 1 hour. |
Note: If your well head is buried and you choose not to excavate,
or the garden hose cannot be connected to the air line, please disregard
this step.
| 6 |
Open
each faucet in your water distribution system, (including inside
and outside faucets, cold and hot water faucets, dishwashers, toilets,
baths and showers), one at a time, until the smell of chlorine is
apparent, then quickly shut them off. This will thoroughly chlorinate
your water distribution system. |
Note: During this procedure, chlorinated water that is permitted
to enter your sewage system should be kept to a minimum, as an excess
amount of chlorine may affect the biological activity of a septic tank
system.
| 7 |
Do
not operate your water system for a minimum of 8 hours (overnight,
for example) or longer if possible. A 24 hour period is recommended,
but may not always be practical.
|
| 8 |
Place
the end of your garden hose in an outside location where the chlorinated
water will not run into a natural waterway (such as a stream, brook,
lake etc) or damage any desired vegetation (like your vegetable
garden). Allow the water to flow until a strong chlorine odour is
no longer apparent (generally 2 to 3 hours). If you have a low yield
well, be careful not to pump the well dry.
|
Note:
During this procedure, the water may have the colour of tea, but the colour
will improve after a short of period of time. Aeration screens in faucets
and the cold water inlet of washing machines may become plugged with sediment.
For water systems equipped with jet pumps, there is also a possibility
that the jet may become clogged with sediment. It's important to keep
this in mind, especially if the jet is located in the well column, which
may require excavation of the well head.
| 9 |
Turn
on each faucet in the house (one at a time), and run the water until
the odour of chlorine is no longer present. It is recommended that
you do not drink the water during this flushing period.
|
| 10 |
Once
the flushing process is complete you may resume normal use of your
water, keeping in mind that it may be two to three days before the
chlorine odour and taste is completely gone. |
Note: If you chlorinated your well to address a coliform bacteria
problem, you should have your well water tested at an accreditied lab
before you begin using it again. To do this, you will need to collect
a water sample about one week after you’ve chlorinated your system
and have it analyzed immediately after collecting it (within 30 hours).
| 11 |
If
the chlorination process results in a noticeable improvement in
your water quality, but the problem redevelops after two to three
weeks, repeat steps 1 to 9, using two to three times the amount
of chlorine solution recommended for your water system. In addition,
you should increase the period of time in which you do not operate
your water system (step 7) to a minimum of 24 hours. |
A FINAL NOTE
Depending on the characteristics of your well water quality, it may be
necessary to chlorinate your well water system more than once a year.
Chlorination may or may not improve your water quality, and in some cases,
provide only a temporary, or short-term solution.
There are many household water treatment systems available that are approved
by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). Look for a listing of retailers
who carry these systems, in the yellow pages of the telephone book.
Questions? Need more information?
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact
any office of the New Brunswick Department of Environment. You can also
contact the Department of Environment by calling our general number (506)
453-2690 or by visiting our website at the following address: www.gnb.ca/0009/index-e.asp.
You can contact any office of the New Brunswick Department of Health or
visit their website at this address: www.gnb.ca/0051/index-e.asp.
FACTS ON WATER - WELL CONSTRUCTION AND WELL WATER TESTING |
