How Long After Bleaching the Well Can I Drink Water?

Chlorinating or bleaching your well is a significant role in safe clean water. It is sometimes needed following certain actions such as plumbing work, water contamination, or when a new well is put in place. Bleaching is meant to sterilize the water, kill the bacteria in it, and make it safe to drink once more. But after bleaching the well, the question arises, how much time should you wait before you can consider it safe to drink the water again?

Why Should You Bleach a Well?

Bleaching a well means putting a solution of chlorine bleach into the water to kill germs. Chlorine is a very strong disinfectant that can eliminate dangerous bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in the water. The common bleach used in this procedure is the normal household chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) which is diluted to the right proportion depending on the size of the well.

In general bleaching is advisable:

- After plumbing or pump repair or replacement

- In case of known contamination of the well (e.g., flood, sewage leaks nearby)

- In the opening or drilling of a new well

- In the presence of bacterial contamination of the water, such as foul-smelling water or cloudy water

What is the Waiting Period After Bleaching?

One should observe the proper waiting time to make sure that the water is safe to consume after bleaching. Although a specific waiting time might be different according to each situation, there are general rules to consider.

Chlorine Dispersal Waiting Period

Once you add chlorine bleach to your well, you should leave the water standing and circulating at least 12 hours so that the chlorine can disinfect the water. The chlorine takes time to spread to every corner of the well and your plumbing system, and this waiting time is essential.

Minimum Time: The shortest amount of time that you should wait before flushing the water is 12 hours. But 24 hours can be suggested as the time of complete disinfection.

Flushing the Water: When you are advised, run the water in all the faucets in your house until you no longer smell chlorine. This will assist in eliminating excess chlorine in the system and make the drinking water safe.

Testing the Water Before Drinking

Test the water for chlorine levels before drinking it. An excessive amount of chlorine in water may irritate your digestive tract, eyes, and skin. As a precautionary measure, you should test the water to determine the chlorine level to ensure that it is within the acceptable range.

Safe Chlorine Concentration: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that the level of chlorine in drinking water ought to be within the range of 0.2-2.0 milligrams per liter (mg/L). When the level of chlorine exceeds this, then you should wait longer before consuming the water.

Chlorine levels can be measured with a pool test kit or a drinking water testing kit. Such kits can be found in the majority of hardware stores or online.

Indicators of Safe Water

When you can still detect chlorine even after letting the water to run, it is an indication that there is still surplus bleach in the system. Continue to run the system until there is no smell of chlorine. Once the smell of bleach has disappeared from the water, it is most likely safe to drink.

Nevertheless, the lack of chlorine smell does not always indicate that the water is safe. Additional safety assurance can be achieved by testing the water to determine the presence of pathogens or a water filtration system.

What to Do After Bleaching Your Well

After you have added chlorine bleach to your well, there are a number of things that you need to do in order to make sure that the water is safe to drink.

Initiating the Bleach Process in the Well

To initiate the bleaching process, combine the suggested quantity of bleach and water and pour it into the well. The precise quantities of bleach needed are dependent on the size of your well, as well as the extent of the contamination. You will normally require approximately 1 gallon of bleach per 100 feet of water in the well.

Water Circulation

Once the bleach is added, switch on your water pump to pump water around the well and through the pipes. Allow the water to flow 10-15 minutes so that chlorine can enter all the sections of your plumbing system.

Waiting Time and Disinfection

The chlorinated water should be left in the well and the pipes at least 12 hours. Wait at least 24 hours to disinfect as much as possible. In this period, do not use the water to drink, cook, or even bathe.

Clean the System

Once the waiting is over, begin the system flush by turning on all faucets in your house. Run the water till the chlorine odor is removed. This can take some hours depending on the size of your plumbing system.

Test the Water

Once you’ve flushed the system, test the water for chlorine levels. You can use a water testing kit to make sure the chlorine concentration is within safe limits. If the chlorine levels are too high, continue flushing the system until the levels drop to acceptable levels.

Check for Clear Water

After flushing the system, check that the water is clear and free of any cloudiness. Cloudy water may indicate that chlorine hasn’t fully mixed or that there are still other contaminants present.

What to Do if the Water Still Smells After Flushing

If the water still smells of chlorine after several hours of flushing, it may mean that there’s too much bleach in the system. Continue running water through the faucets until the smell dissipates. If the smell persists, consider consulting a water treatment professional to ensure your well water is properly disinfected.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you are unsure about how much bleach to use, or if your well has a history of contamination, it’s a good idea to contact a professional. A licensed plumber or water treatment specialist can ensure that the bleaching process is done correctly and safely.

Additionally, if you have any doubts about the safety of your water after chlorinating, it’s best to have it tested by a professional lab. They can provide a detailed report on the water quality, including the presence of harmful bacteria or other contaminants.