Q&A for How to Chlorinate a Well

It's best to use liquid chlorine as that tablet will not dissolve correctly in the well. The tablets are more for swimming pools.

The submersible well pump should be under water in the casing as usually the pump is set at least 5 feet off the bottom if not a bit higher.

Leave your hot water heater in normal mode, flush the tank by connecting a hose to the drain, or by simply running the taps. Do this after flushing the chlorine out of the rest of the lines, to limit the amount of chlorine running to your septic tank. Put the softener and sediment filter in bypass during this procedure, and replace your sediment filter while you are at it.

No. They accumulate stabilizing compounds that are not healthy to drink long term.

Keep pumping through your outdoor spigots. Minimize chlorine in your septic system.

There isn't really an easy way to get the weight back. You could try dropping a bucket down into the well and scooping it up.

If water reaches the ground surface under the natural pressure of the aquifer, the well is called a flowing artesian well. An aquifer is a geologic layer of porous and permeable material such as sand and gravel, limestone or sandstone through which water flows and is stored.

Yes. Just pour the bleach into the well, give it a few minutes to disperse into the water, then run all the taps until the bleach smell is gone.

Pour it beside the white pipe in the middle, which guides a wrench to remove the pitless adapter. Chlorine can jam the pitless adapter screw.

There may be a "bung hole" in the top plate, which is usually threads with a plug in it. The plug will be a male threaded fitting, with a "4 sided" fitting to allow it to be unscrewed. You can also use a small holesaw to drill a hole in the side of the well casing (above grade). You will need to purchase a matching plug for this hole, so choose the size accordingly.

Not until the entire system has been flushed as stated above. Chlorine is not good for any living organisms. Hence, the reason for using it to shock your well.

Not unsafe, but it will be difficult to flush the system when temperatures are at or near freezing. You shouldn't run the outside spigots unless you absolutely need to during winter months.

Open each tap within the home, one at a time, starting closest to the pressure tank, and run water until a strong chlorine smell is present. Close the tap. Do not forget to flush each hot water tap.

Yes. When used as directed, Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Clinging Bleach Gel is safe to use in septic systems. The bleach breaks down rapidly to mostly salt and water.

Pour half-gallon to a gallon of bleach into the water heater through the hot water outlet opening. Install the A420 anode rod. After Step 8 has been satisfied, turn on and draw water at each hot water faucet in the residence until a chlorine odor is no longer present. Turn on the power or gas supply to the water heater.

Yes, turn off the ice maker and bypass the acid neutralizer when chlorinating.

Let the chlorinated water stand in the plumbing system for 12 to 24 hours. Do not run any water or flush toilets during this time. Use your reserves of fresh water for all purposes.

Probably not because of check valves in your well pump. The piping only allows water to flow one way: out to your well tank. You'll have to find and open up your well head cap to circulate water.

Dark colors is good, it means the chlorine is doing its job. The color will dissipate in a few hours, just leave the garden hose running at about 1/4 of the way on, and go to do something else rather than watching the hose.