Quick Answer
After chlorination treatment, it's best to flush well water for at least 30 minutes to one hour to ensure the chlorine has completely dispersed and is no longer causing shock to the water treatment system and plumbing fixtures.
Pre-Flushing Preparation
Before flushing the well water, it’s essential to ensure the chlorination treatment has been completed effectively. This typically involves a contact time of at least 30 minutes to allow the chlorine to react with any bacteria and other contaminants in the water. A common practice is to add 1-2 pounds of chlorine tablets or granules to the well for every 10,000 gallons of water.
Flushing Procedure
To flush the well water, turn on all faucets in the house, including those in the basement or crawl space. This will help to circulate the water and ensure that it’s being drawn from the well at a consistent rate. The American Water Works Association recommends flushing the system at a rate of 1-2 gallons per minute (GPM) to minimize the risk of re-aeration, which can lead to the formation of chlorine gas. It’s also crucial to check the pH level of the water during the flushing process to ensure it’s within the recommended range of 6.5-8.5.
Post-Flushing Testing
After flushing the well water for the recommended time, it’s essential to test the water to ensure that the chlorine levels have dropped to a safe and acceptable level. This can be done using a chlorine test kit, which measures the free chlorine residual in the water. The World Health Organization recommends a maximum free chlorine residual of 0.5 mg/L (milligrams per liter) in drinking water. If the chlorine levels are still too high, additional flushing may be necessary to ensure the water is safe for consumption.
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