Disinfection

Shocking should not be used routinely or repeatedly. It is not a substitute for eliminating an ongoing source of contamination or a defect in your well.

Shocking is a temporary method of disinfection used to eliminate a one-time case of bacterial contamination.

Shocking your well is a relatively complicated exercise that requires care and skill. You may want to get professional assistance. Public health offices are a source of detailed instructions. While shocking may provide a temporary solution, it may be more effective to boil the water you drink. But note that if there is a high mineral and metal composition in your water boiling may actually concentrate those minerals and metals.

To properly shock your well, ensure you get detailed instructions from a licensed well driller or a Public Health Officer. You will need to know:

• The correct amount of bleach to use in your well – using too much or too little can cause problems. See Newfoundland and Labrador Government guidelines for disinfecting dug and drilled wells.
• How to remove all filters in your water system.
• How to shut down your entire water distribution system to give it at least 12 hours, and no more than 24 hours, contact time with the chlorine.

When you drain the water from the well, ensure the chlorinated water is properly and safely drained from the system - not into your septic system.