Bacteria usually sneak in from surface water, a cracked well cap, or a faulty seal. Think of it like a leaky roof—water brings uninvited guests.
You’ll need to shock the well. That’s not a technical term, but it is the main event. We’re talking household bleach, not the fancy industrial stuff. Plain, unscented bleach with 5-6% sodium hypochlorite.
How to shock your well (without losing your mind)
First, turn off the power to your well pump. Safety first, folks—you don’t want to electrify your science project. Then, remove the well cap and peek inside. If you see dirt or bugs, grab a broom later.
Now, pour the bleach. Use a one-gallon jug for every 100 feet of well depth. If you don’t know your depth, guess high—better to over-bleach than under-fight. Pour it slowly, and try not to gag on the chlorine cloud. (Pro tip: wear old shoes. Trust me.)
Next, hook up a garden hose to an outdoor spigot (not your kitchen sink—imagine drinking Clorox lemonade). Run the hose into the well casing, turn on the pump, and let the water recirculate for at least an hour. You’re basically making a bleach smoothie inside your own well.
