Reasons for contamination

1. Surface water (after rain)
2. Surface water or ground water due to cracks or loose splash cap.
3. Septic system contamination.

Method for rid contamination (Shocking or disinfecting a well)

1. Locate well pipe.
2. Bypass water purification system if present.
3. Pour 1-2 gallons of chlorine (bleach) down well pipe.
4. Run outside faucet until the smell of chlorine is obvious and shut of (it may take 1-3 hours to smell chlorine at the outside faucet).
5. Run all inside faucets and flush all toilets until the sell of chlorine is obvious and shut of.
6. Allow the chlorine to sit in the water system (well and inside plumbing) for a minimum of 10 hours.
7. Run outside faucet until the smell of chlorine is gone (can take 10-12 hours). If pump in NOT in well, i.e., jet pump, run water for two hours, shut water off, and repeat until smell of chlorine is gone.
8. Run all inside faucets until smell of chlorine is gone.
9. Test for Coliform bacteria within one week after smell of chlorine is gone. If the test is positive for Coliform, the aquifer is probably contaminated. If this test is negative for Coliform, the aquifer is probably good.
10. If the aquifer is good, test for Coliform bacteria a month after the first test. IF this test is positive for Coliform , surface water is probably contaminating the well. If this test is negative for Clifford bacteria, the original source or cause of contamination has been corrected and the water should be safe to drink as far as bacteria is concerned.

NOTE: Running the outside faucet for the majority of the water reduces the amount of chlorine entering the septic system and keeps most of the rest and grit out of the house. Water purification system dealers can supply equipment to destroy Coliform bacteria.