| If you have a well in your home and you use it for a | | | | inches, you have to mix 6 1/4 cups of Clorox in five |
| water source, you must have to get it test regularly | | | | gallons of water. |
| for any signs of coliform or iron bacteria. At times | | | | 4. If well has a covering simply take it away by pulling |
| some harmful bacteria develop in water that makes | | | | it. If it has plug, then remove the plug with the help |
| the water unhygienic for health. To disinfect the well | | | | of wrench. Tilt the bucket containing the solution |
| from bacteria Clorox or other chlorine bleach is | | | | gradually towards the well and pour the entire |
| suggested to clean the system. | | | | solution into the well. Pour the solution by moving on |
| Required Items | | | | each side of the well. |
| - Clorox | | | | 5. Take a hose long enough to dip inside the well |
| - 5 gallon plastic bucket | | | | water for few minutes. You will soon smell the bleach |
| - Rubber gloves | | | | odor coming out of the hose. |
| - Eye protection | | | | 6. The next step is to run water through all the |
| - Stirring Implement | | | | water fixtures and faucets inside and outside of the |
| Steps | | | | house. Open all the hot and cold taps till you smell the |
| 1. Have enough water stored before cleaning the | | | | bleach. Turn off all the taps, faucets or water |
| system for the cleaning process will take several | | | | fixtures and allow the water to remain in the pipes |
| hours (12-24 hours). You need water for drinking, | | | | for about 24 hours. For best disinfection leave the |
| cooking, washing or in washrooms as well. Stored | | | | water in the pipes for about 24 hours. |
| water should be recommended to boil before use | | | | 7. After 12 or 24 hours, flush again the system by |
| because it is taken from the infected well. You can | | | | turning on the faucets outside of the house. Keep |
| use mineral water or other available options. | | | | them open till the odor of the bleach diminishes. |
| 2. If you have any systems installed like softener or | | | | 8. Use the well for few days and then take a sample |
| filtration systems, make certain that the cleaning | | | | for test again, to see if your well is completely |
| process would not harm the systems. Check if your | | | | disinfected from bacteria or not. |
| water treatment system has a bypass valve or not. | | | | Precautions and Tips |
| If it has a valve you can simply close it before | | | | - Keep you plants safe from Clorox. It is extremely |
| starting cleaning the system. | | | | harmful for plants. |
| 3. Before handling the bleach, it is suggested wear | | | | - Don't wash cloths while Clorox is active in the well. |
| the gloves and safety eyes goggles to keep your | | | | It will bleach the cloth. |
| skin and eyes from any contact to bleach. Follow the | | | | - Proper ventilation is needed while working with |
| table provided by CDC to make the bleach solution. | | | | Clorox. |
| That table will help you to use the specific amount of | | | | - During cleaning process or before having your |
| Clorox according to your well size. For instance, for | | | | water tested again, you can use mineral water or |
| well with 50 feet depth and casing diameter of 10 | | | | boiled water. |