Hurricane Preparedness

Well Disinfection Procedure

Flooded or contaminated wells require disinfection with chlorine. The disinfection procedure described below is only a temporary measure to treat for bacteriological contamination. This procedure is not a remedy for a ground-water source that is continuously exposed to biological contamination resulting from improper
location and/or construction. Listed below is the 
proper well disinfection procedure, which must be followed:

• Introduce into well one (1) pint of household 
  bleach(5.25% available chlorine) or a 
  proportionately smaller amount of a stronger 
  solution.
• Operate the well pump until the piping system 
  is full of chlorinated water from within the well. 
  The detection of a chlorinous odor in each 
  faucet gives adequate assurance that this has 
  been accomplished.
• Allow the chlorinated water to remain in the well 
  and piping system overnight.
• Pump the water to waste and/or use the water 
  for non-consumption purposes until no odor of 
  chlorine is detected.
• After allowing time for conditions to stabilize, 
  arrange for a bacteriological examination with
  the appropriate State agency or a commercial 
  laboratory licensed by the State for water 
  testing, to ensure the disinfection procedure 
  was successful. If total coliform organisms are 
  present, the water should not be consumed 
  unless it is brought to a rolling boil for at least 
  one minute.

Please note:  Handle chlorinating products according to the manufacturer's directions. Failure to do so could cause bodily injury. Eye and body protection are strongly recommended during the disinfection procedure. Do not consume well water containing high levels of chlorine. It is required that the well water be tested for bacteria after the disinfection procedure has been completed. Please call the division of Drinking Water Quality at 222-6867, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM should you have any questions.