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Pump Services

Well Chlorination

Well Chlorination is required by the Ohio Health Department to rid of any chloroform bacteria that is in the well. The health department will take samples after the well is chlorinated to make sure that the levels are safe. If the water sample is not passed, the drilling company and the home owner will be notified. The driller will come out to the property to chlorinate the well again until it passes.

After the well is chlorinated, it must stay in the water system for 24 hours without any water usage.

Flush the system until the strong chlorine smell dissipates. Start with the outside hose and let it run on the ground away from the septic system. Turn on each indoor faucet and let them run until the system is flushed.



Annual water well chlorination is suggested by the National Ground Water Association. However, here are some signs to look for if you’re concerned about your well water quality.

  • change in color or odor of the water
  • cloudy or oily water
  • change in water flow and pressure
  • bacteria growth on water fixtures


Some ways to help maintain your water well include:

  • checking to make sure the well cap is secure and unharmed
  • keep chemicals, manure and fertilizers approximately 50 feet away from the well


Give us a call if you would like you notice any changes with your well! We provide well inspections and chlorinations! If you are buying a new home, that is also a good time to have your well system evaluated.

Instructions for Well Chlorination

All 12 steps are from the OSU Extension


Here is a link for the Ohio State Extension Well Chlorination article.

  1. Determine the depth of water in the well. From the well log, look up the well depth and the depth to water table. Subtract the depth to the water table from the well depth to estimate the depth of water in the well. If you do not have a well log, it may be on file with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. You can search online at water.ohiodnr.gov/search-file-well-logs.
  2. Measure the diameter of the well casing.
  3. Measure the amount of chlorine bleach or HTH from the tables below, pour into a bucket, and dissolve in about 3 gallons of water.
  4. Fill a 5-gallon bucket with clean water and set aside if needed for cleanup.


5. Connect a clean hose to a faucet in the system.

6. Take the top off of the well.

7. Pour in the chlorine solution.

8. Turn on the hose and direct the water back into the well, washing down the sides of the well casing.

9. Go into the house and turn on every tap until you smell chlorine then turn them off.

10. Let the water stand in the pipes for at least 12 and up to 24 hours.

11. Flush the system until the strong chlorine smell dissipates. Start with the outside hose and let it run on the ground away from the septic system. Turn on each indoor faucet and let them run until the system is flushed. If possible, connect a hose to inside faucets to direct flushed water outside away from the septic system.

12. Wait about two weeks and retest the well for bacteria. If shock chlorination did not eliminate the problem, a continuous disinfection system might be needed.