What to do when your well flunks its sample test

A flunked drinking water test will probably result in a sleepless night. You've done the responsible thing and now you are rewarded with a problem . . . coliform bacteria in your water. Your test slip tells you that at least it isn't e-coli which would mean fecal bacteria in your water. Best to get some bottled water for the next couple of days anyway. First plan of action - redo the test - make sure this time you follow all the directions. Make sure the faucet isn't the source of contamination.

If it comes back unsatisfactory again, you may have to disinfect your well with chlorine. Check with your local health department to get their advice. If you decide to disinfect, purchase a fresh bottle of household bleach without additives. Then get busy:

1. First remove the well casing cover or cap.
2. Add one-half gallon of liquid bleach to the well. If a hose can reach the well, wash down the inner wall. Then close up the well.
3. Turn on an outside house faucet and run it until you can smell chlorine, then turn it off.
4. Repeat this for all of the faucets inside and outside. This is done to move the chlorinated water through the system.
5. Let the chlorine remain in the pipes overnight. If possible, don't use any water.
6. Next day, flush out as much water as possible using outside faucets. Run the water on the ground. Don't get this chlorinated water in ponds, lakes or streams! Forget about washing your jeans for a couple days.
7. Resume normal water use - it may take about five days before all the chlorine is gone.
8. Retest when you are sure the chlorine has disappeared. Use a spa chlorine test to make sure.

How did my well get contaminated?
Contamination may be caused by soil, insects, small animals or animal waste falling in the well. Make sure that access holes for pipes or wires are sealed with clear silicone sealant. Other possibilities include a failed pressure tank bladder. Sleuth out your problem or contamination may reoccur. Make sure you have a 100 feet no pollution zone around your well. This means no fertilizers, no oil or gasoline dumped or stored within that space and that animals and manure piles are kept away from the well. Even construct your compost pile outside of this space.

Sleep easier with a clean well.