How to Use Chlorine in the Filtration of Water

The water we drink, bathe in, cook with and use for household chores may be contaminated. Contaminants are sometimes detectable by an unusual taste or odor, cloudiness, an off-color or noticeable particles, but certain dangerous substances leave no telltale signs. The best course of action is testing the water and eliminating the source of contamination. When that is not possible, water should be filtered and treated. Bacteria and other microorganisms can be killed through a process known as disinfection. The use of chlorine is the most popular method of disinfection. Shock chlorination disinfects new or recently repaired wells. Continuous chlorination systems are necessary when using surface water sources, such as lakes or springs. Chlorine treatment is an inexpensive and simple way to disinfect water in emergencies.

Instructions

Shock Chlorination

• 1

  Store enough clean drinking water to last at least 24 hours. The water from the well can't be used for any purpose during the shock chlorination process.

• 2

  Determine the diameter of the well and the well depth. Consult paperwork given to you by the well contractor or contact the local agency that licenses wells in your locale if you have difficulty finding this information.

• 3

  Open the well cap and measure the distance from the top of the well down to the surface of the water using a long pole, contractor's steel tape, or a long rope. Calculate the height of standing water by subtracting the distance from the top of the well to the water from the depth of the well. (Depth of the well) -- (distance from the top of the well to the water) = height of standing water. If the depth of the well is 150 feet and the distance from the well top to the water is 50 feet, the height of standing water is 100 feet. (150 feet -- 50 feet = 100 feet.)

• 4

  Calculate the amount of ordinary household laundry bleach needed. Do not use scented bleach, such as lemon or fresh scent. For every 50 feet in height of standing water in a 4-inch diameter well, use one quart of bleach. In a 6-inch diameter well, use two quarts for every 50 feet in height of standing water. An 8-inch diameter well will need one gallon of bleach, a 12-inch diameter well needs two gallons, and a 24-inch diameter well needs eight gallons for every 50 feet in height of standing water.

• 5

  Dilute the needed amount of bleach with about half as much water. This will help the bleach mix with the water in the well. Avoid spilling or splashing any of the bleach mixture, and pour it into the opening of the well. Turn on the faucet nearest the well and run the water until a strong chlorine odor is noticeable. Extra bleach can be added if the chlorine odor is not present.

• 6

  Turn off the faucet and attach a garden hose with a spray nozzle. Turn the faucet on and spray the interior surface of the well for about 15 minutes. Turn the hose off.

• 7

  Run every faucet inside and outside the house, one at a time, until the odor of chlorine is present. Turn the faucet off as soon as you smell the chlorine. Do not use water from the well for at least 24 hours.

• 8

  Run the outdoor faucets after 24 hours until the odor of chlorine is no longer present. Run the indoor faucets only after the chlorine odor has dissipated from the outdoor faucets. This prevents damage to the septic system that relies on the presence of bacteria to process sewage. Let the indoor faucets run until the odor of chlorine is gone. A slight amount of chlorine may be detectable for several days.

• 9

  Retest the water in two weeks. Shock chlorination may be repeated, if necessary.

Continuous Chlorination

• 10

  Consult a professional about installing this system. Continuous chlorination systems pump chlorine into the water before it enters your house. They add chlorine only during the demand for water and increase the amount of chlorine as the demand for water rises. Continuous chlorination systems need frequent attention to work properly.

• 11

  Attach a continuous chlorination system as close to the water source as possible. Wire the system to the water pump pressure switch so they run at the same time.

• 12

  Add a length of coiled pipe to increase the amount of time the chlorine comes in contact with the water. The ability of chlorine to kill organisms depends on the amount of contact time. Household pipes do not normally allow for sufficient contact time.

Emergency Situations

• 13

  Strain cloudy, discolored or particle-filled water through a cloth or coffee filter. These types of water often need more chlorine to disinfect.

• 14

  Add chlorine tablets according to manufacturer's instructions. Agitate the container to help the chlorine mix with the water. Pour some of the chlorinated water on the lid and the opening of the bottle. Let the bottle sit for a minimum of 30 minutes, or for 30 minutes after the chlorine tablets have dissolved.

• 15

  Double the treatment time for water colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the container on a rock in the sun to warm the water, if possible. The ideal temperature for disinfection is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Following these steps should kill any existing microorganisms in the water. Chlorine does not remove other types of contaminants that may be present.