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.
Here are the steps to follow:
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Before you begin the chlorination process, store
enough water to meet your household needs for a minimum of 24 hours.
|
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Next, remove any filter, water conditioners, or
any type of water treatment
system, or find a way to by-pass them during chlorination.
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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 |
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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.)
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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.
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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.
|
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.
|
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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
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