WHAT TO DO IF YOUR WELL IS FLOODED Heavy rainfall from a tropical…

WHAT TO DO
IF YOUR WELL IS FLOODED



Heavy rainfall from a tropical storm or hurricane may have made your water unsafe. If you are
unsure about the impact of flooding on your well water, either use bottled water, or boil or
disinfect all the water you use for drinking, making beverages, cooking, brushing your teeth,
washing dishes, and washing areas of the skin that have been cut or injured.

Common unscented household bleach (4 to 6% active ingredients) can be used effectively as a
chlorine disinfectant. Either bring water to a rolling boil for one minute and let it cool; OR disinfect
it by adding 8 drops (about 1/8 teaspoon) of unscented household bleach per gallon of water, and
then let it stand for 30 minutes, repeating the procedure if it is still cloudy.

If your well has been flooded, please call Environmental Engineering at 239-274-2200 for
information on how to sample your water and where to bring the sample for bacteriological
testing. If the test reveals bacteria, the well and water system need to be disinfected.

It is important to disinfect both well and plumbing water with unscented household bleach to
ensure that all infectious agents are destroyed. If you have water treatment devices, remove all
membranes, cartridges, and filters and replace them after the chlorination process is completed.
The amount of chlorine determines the length of time you allow the bleach to remain in your
system.

The Lee County Health Department recommends the following steps to disinfect a contaminated
well:

   ·   If the water is discolored before adding the bleach, run the water until it is clear for up to
       10 minutes.
   ·   Turn off and then drain your hot water heater-- bleach is not effective in water above
       105 degrees.
   ·   Remove and replace charcoal filters after the disinfecting process is completed.
   ·   To avoid adding contamination to the well during disinfection, clean the work area
       around the top of the well. Then remove grease and mineral deposits from accessible
       parts of the well head and flush the outside surfaces with 1/2 cup of unscented household
       bleach in 5 gallons of water.
   ·   Turn off the pump. Remove the cap or the well plug on the rubber seal. There are many
       types of well caps and plugs. If you have questions, you should contact a licensed well
       driller. If you have a submersible pump, you may also want to contact a licensed well
       driller for advice on disinfection procedures.




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                                    2295 Victoria Avenue, #206
                                        Fort Myers, FL 33901
                               Phone: 239-690-21010 FAX: 239-690-2101
WHAT TO DO
IF YOUR WELL IS FLOODED

                                                                                  Flooded Well/Page 2

   ·   Consult the bleach chart and pour the recommended amount of unscented bleach (4 to
       6%) solution into the well. Try to coat the sides of the casing as you pour. If you get
       bleach on the pump or wiring, flush it thoroughly with fresh water to prevent later
       corrosion.


       Well Depth in Feet              Well Diameter in Inches
                                       2"       4"      5"          6"
                                              Bleach to add
       20'                             1 cup    1 cup 1 cup         1 cup
       30'                             1 cup    1 cup 1 cup         2 cups
       40'                             1 cup    1 cup 2 cups        2 cups
       50'                             1 cup    2 cups 2 cups       3 cups
       80'                             1 cup    2 cups 1 qt         1 qt
       100'                            1 cup    3 cups 1 qt         1.5 qts
       150'                            2 cups 1 qt      2 qts       2.5 qts
       200'                            3 cups 1.5 qts 2.5 qts       3 qts

       Conversions 8 oz = 1 cup /16 oz = 1 pint = 2 cups
       24 oz = 3 cups / 32 oz = 1 quart / 48 oz = 1.5 quarts
       64 oz = 2 quarts / 80 oz = 2.5 quarts / 96 oz = 3 quarts

   ·   Re-cap or plug the well opening and wait 30 minutes.
   ·   Turn on and, if needed, re-prime the pump. Open all of the faucets on the system one
       at a time. Allow the water to run until there is a noticeable smell of bleach. You may also
       want to flush the toilets. If you have outside faucets, you may want to direct the water
       away from sensitive plants. If you cannot detect a bleach odor, repeat the disinfecting
       process.
   ·   Turn off all of the faucets and allow the bleach to remain in the system for at least eight
       hours.
   ·   Backwash water softeners, sand filters, and iron removal filters with bleach water.
   ·   Again, open all the faucets and run the water until there is no bleach smell--for up to
       15 minutes.

After disinfecting your well, the water needs to be tested to verify that it is safe to drink. Although
unscented household bleach is effective against microorganisms, it will not remove chemical
contamination that may have gotten into your well. Contact the Environmental Engineering at
239-274-2200 for sampling instructions to get your water tested.




                                    2295 Victoria Avenue, #206
                                        Fort Myers, FL 33901
                               Phone: 239-690-21010 FAX: 239-690-2101