How to Shock Your Well

CHLORINATION PROCESS TO SHOCK DISINFECT A WATER SYSTEM
(taken from a Boulder County Health Publication)

1. Determine the total water holding capacity of the system. Add the well capacity, cistern capacity, and pressure tank capacity together. The system installer may be able to help you obtain this information. Use the calculation below to determine the amount of bleach to use in order to disinfect the system.

CHLORINATION PROCESS TO SHOCK DISINFECT A WATER SYSTEM
(taken from a Boulder County Health Publication)

total capacity in gallons x 16
------------------------------------- = # Cups of household laundry bleach
1,000

(This results in a concentration of approximately 50 parts per million chlorine.)

2. Mix the laundry bleach in five gallons of water.

3. Remove any debris on or near the well lid. Remove the lid.

4. Add the mixture to the well, replace the lid, and allow the well to stand undisturbed for four to six hours.

5. Beginning with the tap farthest from the well, open each tap, showerhead, and other source of water until a chlorine odor is detected. (This should take about ten to fifteen minutes.) At this point, shut off all taps.

6. Let the entire system stand undisturbed for twelve hours. Do not drink or run any water during this time.

7. At this time, you must slowly flush out the system. This can be accomplished easily by opening all outside taps. Leave the taps on until the water no longer has a strong chlorine odor. This may take three to four hours. DO NOT drain the water into an onsite wastewater system absorption area, as the chlorine and excessive water could cause severe damage to the absorption area. DO NOT allow the water to reach any surface water (lakes, ponds or streams, or storm drains), or to run off of your property. Do not run the well dry.

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