Typically, buyers are on a time crunch to get this completed prior to their home closing. By testing and treating water early on, you can avoid later issues with obtaining a clear water test. Homeowners can typically take their own water sample to a local health department for testing purposes.
Drinking clean and contaminant free water is a no-brainer. Some bacteria in your water wells can cause health issues. If you and your family experience recurring sickness it may be time to test your well. Digestive issues are typically a main side effect of high bacteria levels.
However, children and elderly individuals may experience extreme illness from water with high levels of E. Colil and coliform. Chlorinating Your Well. Most water tests check for two main types of bacteria: E. If your water results have been deemed "unacceptable" due to high levels of these bacteria, it may be time to "shock" or chlorinate your well. The Health Department recommends having a professional handle the chlorination process.
These chlorination chemicals are allowed to sit in the well for a period of time, in an attempt to kill harmful bacteria. Extension Changes Georgia University of Georgia Cooperative Extension programming improves people's lives and gets results. Our Impact.
Extension Publications Circular Circular This publication is part of the Household Water Quality series. Faculty Uttam K. Kissel Ph. Have a question? Contact your local UGA Extension office to find out how our team of county agents can assist you. For homes with electric water heaters, the water within that system must be chlorinated as well. This is done by turning on a few hot water faucets in the house and running them for 10 to 15 minutes. To make sure all faucets and water appliances are disinfected as well, you should also run all shower heads, sprayers, toilets, outside faucets, washing machines and dishwashers.
All fixtures and appliances in the house should be run one at a time — use lukewarm water if there are hot and cold faucets -- until the chlorinated water is present, and then shut down. You can keep the water constantly running without damaging the water system, or if you have a low-production well, you can run the hose for an hour on and two hours off, repeating. With a chlorine testing kit purchased at your local pool store, test the chlorine levels as it decreases until there is no more chlorine detected.
Next, run the faucets, fixtures, and appliances in the home, like before, until all the chlorine is gone. During the disinfection process, water from the system is not suitable for consumption or extended contact by people or animals. Plan to perform the disinfection process when faucets and toilets will not be in use for at least 8 hours, preferably 12 to 24 hours. Shock chlorination will be most effective if the chlorine reaches every part of the water system.
Special precautions are needed on automatic water systems for animals and irrigation. Provide alternate water sources for pets or livestock who depend on automatic waterers, then make sure the chlorine reaches those outlets.
Chlorinated water flushed out of a sprinkler or drip system should be directed away from landscaping plants and lawn areas to avoid damage to the plants. Most water treatment equipment such as water heaters, softeners, and pressure tanks , should also be disinfected. Some water filters, such as carbon filters, should be temporarily disconnected or by-passed during shock chlorination. Check owner's manuals or manufacturers' literature before shock chlorinating to avoid damage to components.
Use liquid household bleach containing 5. Do not use bleach with a "fresh scent," lemon fragrance, or other cleaners added. One gallon of bleach will treat up to an 8-inch diameter well containing feet of water. If your well is much larger, or if your distribution system is unusually large, expect to use more than 1 gallon of bleach.
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