Quick Answer
Shock treat well water after a contamination incident by first disinfecting with chlorine to a minimum 2.0 mg/L concentration for 4 hours, followed by neutralization to prevent excessive chlorine residue, and then testing for bacterial and chemical safety.
Shock Treatment Process
To shock treat well water after a contamination incident, it is essential to disinfect the water with chlorine. The recommended dosage is 16 mg/L of chlorine for every 1 million gallons of water. For residential wells, a 1-gallon chlorine solution is sufficient for 10,000 gallons of water. Mix the chlorine solution with the water, and maintain a minimum concentration of 2.0 mg/L for 4 hours to ensure effective disinfection.
Neutralization and Testing
After the shock treatment process, the chlorine concentration must be neutralized to prevent excessive chlorine residue, which can cause health issues. Add a sodium thiosulfate solution at a rate of 1.1% of the chlorine dosage to neutralize the chlorine. For example, add 1.1% of 1 gallon of chlorine solution, which is 0.011 gallons of sodium thiosulfate. Wait for 30 minutes before testing the water for bacterial and chemical safety. Use a turbidity meter to check the water clarity and a chlorine test kit to verify the neutralization process.
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