By Shock Chlorination Shock chlorination is a way to protect a private well from coliform, iron, and sulfur bacteria. If someone in your family becomes ill and you suspect bacteria in your well water is the problem, contact your county health department to have your water tested. Coliform bacteria in a well indicate disease-causing bacteria and viruses are likely to be present, too. Although iron and sulfur bacteria are not a health hazard, they produce noticeable odor, taste, and color and plugging problems in the water system.
Bacteria can live in water, on casing pipe, in plumbing lines, or inside fixtures.
It is important to remember, while shock chlorination corrects immediate bacteria problems in a well, it does not correct the source of the bacteria. If bacteria are entering your well from a septic system or other source, you should correct the problem. Otherwise, the bacteria will reoccur. How Shock Chlorination Works Shock chlorination involves introducing a strong chlorine solution into the water source and plumbing system and letting it disinfect the system for 12 to 24 hours. You can use regular household bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite, which kills bacteria and certain viruses.