Quick Answer
Consider shock treating your well water when you've had a recent bacterial contamination, you're introducing a new well to your household, or you've experienced a flooding event that may have compromised the well's integrity.
Indications for Shock Treatment
Shock treatment, also known as superchlorination, is a process that involves adding a high dose of chlorine to well water to eliminate bacterial contamination. This is typically necessary when there’s been a confirmed presence of Coliform bacteria, E. coli, or other pathogens in the water. If you’ve experienced a flooding event or a nearby agricultural runoff, the risk of contamination increases, and shock treatment may be warranted.
Choosing the Right Chlorine Dosage
To determine the correct chlorine dosage, you’ll need to test the pH level of your well water first. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recommends using 25-50 mg/L of free chlorine for shock treatment. However, you should start with a lower dosage, typically 10-20 mg/L, and gradually increase it until you reach the desired level. This will help prevent over-chlorination, which can damage plumbing and appliances.
Implementation and Safety Precautions
When implementing shock treatment, make sure to follow all safety precautions, including wearing protective gear, using a well pump or submersible pump, and having a backup power source in case of a power outage. Typically, you’ll add 1-2 pounds of chlorine tablets or 1 gallon of liquid chlorine to your well for every 10,000 gallons of water. Monitor the chlorine level regularly to ensure it doesn’t exceed 4 mg/L, which can be hazardous to health.
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.