WELLWATERSAFETY

If a wellusedfordrinkingwaterhasbeen floodedor contaminatedduringrepairwork, itisimportanttothoroughlydisinfectitbeforeusingthewater. Property ownersmaywanttoconsultwith a locallicensedwaterwelldrillerorpumpinstallationcontractor(see Itdoesrequire specific

equipmentandexperienceforproperdecontaminationofthewell.

Inspectthewellanditscomponents,including:

  • Electricalwiresand connectorsthatsupplypowertothewell
  • Above-groundPVCplasticpipesusedtobringwatertothehouse
  • Wellhousesandspecialequipmentsuchaschlorinators,filters andelectronic controls
  • Pressure tanks thatmayhave beenexposedtoexcessiveheat
  • Storagetanks,ventsandover-flowpipes

HomeownerTips

  • If thewatertastesorsmellsearthy, smoky orburnt,itmay benecessary toflushthewaterlines.
  • If thereareanydoubtsaboutthe safety ofthewaterinthewell,contactthecountyhealthdepartment or a certifiedlab forwatertesting.
  • If thewellorwatersystemiscontaminated,oriftestingindicatesthatbacterialcontaminantsarepresent,disinfectionofthewellisrecommended.
  • Todisinfectthewell,make achlorinesolutionbymixing 1gallonofunscented,regularhouseholdbleach(6percentchlorinesolution)in10gallonsofwater.Addthesolutiontothewell between thewellcasingandpumpdroppipe.

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  • If a householdwaterwell(4-inchdiametercasing)hasmorethan500 feet ofstandingwatercolumnorthecasingdiameterisgreaterthan 4 inches,refertoRule15*ofColoradoWaterWellConstructionRulesforinstructions.
  • Disconnectthewellfrom itsstorage anddistributionsystems.Pumpthewellwatertowasteuntilthewaterisrelativelyclear.
  • Stopthepumpandreconnecttothestorageanddistributionsystems. Priortopumping,checkto be surethepublicwastewatersystemisfunctioning properly.
  • Startthepumpandopenallfaucetsonthesystem.Pumpuntila chlorineodorcan be detected atthefaucets.Closeallthefaucetsandstopthepump.
  • Allowthechlorinesolutiontoremaininthewell,storageanddistributionsystemsatleastovernight,orpreferably,24hours.
  • Pumpthewelltowasteuntiltheodorandtasteofchlorinehasdisappeared.Excessiveamountsofcontaminationinthewellorwatersupplysystemmayrequirerepeatingtheprocess.
  • Twodaysafterdisinfection,collectasampleofwaterforbacteriologicalanalysis,usingonlyasterilecontainerfurnishedbythestateorlocalhealthdepartment’slaboratory.
  • Privatewellownerswithconcernsabouttheirwellsshouldcollectsamplesforcoliformtesting.Testforvolatileorganiccompounds(VOC) andhydrocarbonsifthewellheadisdamagedorcompromised,orifthewellisin a highriskareawheredrillingactivity orhydrocarbon storageoccurs.

*NOTE:

2CCR402-2at