Well Cleaning: What You Should Know

If you’re used to your drinking water supply coming from a well, you likely already know that you need to schedule a water well inspection to check for coliform bacteria, nitrates, and other water quality indicators (WQIs) at least once per year. But is there a way to actually clean the well itself? The answer is yes — and doing so (in combination with water testing and water treatment) is the best way to keep your water system healthy and safe. Consider this your all-encompassing guide to well cleaning!

Don’t DIY

DIY well cleaning is a bad idea. Because of online instructions abound, many people assume they can clear out their well themselves — but more often than not, you’ll do more harm than good. When you try DIY, you risk killing off the bacteria in your plumbing system, which sounds like a good thing, but it is actually a catastrophe that can cause all kinds of backflow and odor problems. Rather than attempting to clean the well yourself, call a professional for the job.

Chlorine Isn’t Everything

Some assume they can clean their well systems out entirely via “shock chlorination,” i.e., using chlorine to kill bacteria and harmful pathogens. However, chlorinated water isn’t clean by default and isn’t always safe to drink. Normal levels of chlorine should not measure more than four parts per million since chlorine consumption over this level can lead to adverse health effects. So before you go dropping chlorine tablets into your well, consult with an expert first.

Clean on a Regular Basis

How often should you clean your well? You should aim to clean your well at least once every five years and do so more frequently if you’ve had issues with contamination in the past. If you have questions about your well or don’t know when it was last serviced, schedule an appointment with well professionals to discuss the subject. You can also ask them about the ideal maintenance schedule for your well.

Signs I Should Clean My Well

Here are a few signs that you need to clean a well:

• A rotten egg smell or other noxious odor coming from the water or the well itself. These odors are often caused by hydrogen sulfide, which can be poisonous in large quantities. The water will need to be treated if the concentration is excessive.
• A well water test that indicates the presence of excessive iron, bacteria, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), or other issues.
• Visible dirt or other debris in the water, especially if it is discolored from your taps. 
• Low water pressure. 
• Water that has a cloudy or murky appearance. 

Take Your Cleaning Further

If cleaning your well every year doesn’t make you confident that the water is fully drinkable, you can also invest in purification systems to provide extra peace of mind. Ask our team about reverse osmosis system installation to learn more about the power of reverse osmosis and how it can help clean your well water.

Improve Your Water Quality Today!

Having professionals clean your well regularly can help you enjoy healthy, fresh, and clean water with no worries about ingesting harmful chemicals or residue that can seep into groundwater over time. To continue caring for your well, to book reverse osmosis system installation, or to check out our other well products (including water softener systems, home iron filtration systems, and more), contact one of our customer service experts today at 1-800-332-9462! We hope to hear from you soon.