You can make your household water ready to use again by disinfecting your well and household plumbing with diluted bleach, and then flushing it.

 

If you have internet access, you can get the directions on how to do this on page 16 of the document found at:http://www.nyhealth.gov/publications/7064.pdf or call 518-402-7650.

 

If you do not have internet access, you can all the NYS Department of Health at 518-402-7650 or follow these 12 steps:

 

YOU WILL NEED:

 

  • 1 gallon of household bleach (unscented)
  • A 5 gallon bucket
  • Garden hose long enough to reach the well from the house
  • Make sure the electricity is on and that the pump is receiving power

 

PROCEDURE:

 

  1. Attach the hose to the outdoor faucet closest to the well or directly to the pressure tank faucet. If possible, bypass any water treatment equipment, such as a water softener to prevent damaging or clogging it.
  2. Turn on the faucet to run water outside on the ground away from the well until the water is clear.
  3. Next to the well casing, mix one (1) gallon of household bleach and enough water to fill the 5 gallon bucket or pail to dilute the bleach.
  4. Turn off the faucet and turn off electrical power to the well pump.
  5. Carefully remove the well cap and set aside. Place the hose inside the well casing and turn the electrical power back on and turn the faucet back on to run water into the well.
  6. Carefully pour the water and bleach mixture from the bucket or pail down the open well casing while continuing to run the water from the hose into the well to recirculate the bleach and water mixture. Use the hose to also wash down the inside of the well casing and well cap.
  7. After one hour, go to each indoor and outdoor faucet and run the water until a chlorine odor is present, then shut each faucet off including the faucet going to the well.
  8. Turn off the power supply to pump. Remove hose from well and replace the well cap.
  9. Allow the well and plumbing to stand idle for at least 8 hours but preferably 12 to 24 hours with the bleach solution in it. Avoid using the water during this time.
  10. After the well has been idle for the recommended period of time, flush the bleach and water combination out of the well by turning the pump power back on and running the outdoor faucet and garden hose in an area away from grass and shrubbery until the odor of chlorine bleach disappears.
  11. Run all indoor and outdoor faucets until the odor and taste of chlorine bleach disappears.
  12. After the well has been properly disinfected and the chlorine bleach has been flushed out of the water system, the water should be tested. See the list below of laboratories that are certified to test drinking water. Until testing shows that the water is free of contamination, you should continue to use bottled water or disinfect the water for drinking and food preparation (by bringing the water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute before using).