How to Properly Disinfect Your Private Well in Western Pennsylvania

For many homeowners in Western Pennsylvania, private wells and springs are the primary source of drinking water. While these sources can provide clean, high-quality water, they can also be vulnerable to contamination — especially after construction, repairs, flooding, or receiving an unsatisfactory water test.

Regular testing and proper disinfection help keep your water safe to drink. Here’s a step-by-step overview of how to disinfect a private well or spring, based on official guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, along with why annual water quality testing is essential for your family’s health.

🧪 When Should You Disinfect Your Well?

Well disinfection is recommended under these common conditions:

• After drilling or constructing a new well or spring

• When repairing or replacing pumps or piping

• If the well has been temporarily flooded or exposed to possible contamination

• After receiving an unsatisfactory bacteriological water test

Disinfection is a temporary solution — it’s meant to reduce or eliminate bacteria, not fix a poorly located or improperly constructed well. If contamination persists, the well’s construction or location should be evaluated by a qualified professional.

🧰 What You’ll Need

• 2-gallon or larger bucket

• Garden hose long enough to reach into the well

• Funnel to fit the end of the hose

• A liquid or granular chlorinating compound

Acceptable chlorine products:

• Liquid: Unscented laundry bleach (5–6% sodium hypochlorite) or sodium hypochlorite solution (up to 14%).

• Granular: Calcium hypochlorite (65–70%).

⚠️ Avoid scented bleach or stabilized pool chlorine products — these are not safe for drinking water systems.

Always wear proper eye and skin protection and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.

🧼 Step-by-Step Disinfection Procedure

1. Access the well

   Remove the cover over the well casing or spring vault.

2. Mix the solution

   • For liquid bleach (5–6%): use about 1½ quarts per 6–10 gallons of water.

   • For granular chlorine (65–70%): use about 4 ounces per 6–10 gallons of water.Mix thoroughly in the bucket.

3. Distribute the disinfectant

   Place the garden hose into the well, pour the chlorine solution through the funnel, and alternately raise and lower the hose to disperse the disinfectant throughout the water supply.

4. Run chlorinated water through the plumbing

   Open faucets and fixtures until the smell of chlorine is noticeable, then turn them off. This ensures pipes and fixtures are disinfected too.

5. Let it sit

   Allow the chlorinated water to remain in the system for at least 4 hours (ideally overnight).

6. Flush the system

   Pump out the chlorinated water until there’s no chlorine odor. Avoid discharging chlorinated water into storm drains, creeks, or ponds — even low levels can harm aquatic life.

7. Retest after 2–5 days

   Once chlorine levels are gone, test your water for total coliform bacteria.

   • If coliform is absent, your water is considered bacteriologically potable.

   • If coliform is present, boil water before use and consult a professional to reassess the well’s construction or location.

💧 Why Water Testing Matters

Even after disinfection, ongoing testing is critical. At Keystone Castle Inspections LLC, we offer certified water quality testing for:

• Lead

• Nitrate and Nitrite

• Coliform and E. Coli bacteria

These contaminants are commonly screened in real estate transactions and are also vital to check annually for your health and safety — especially if your well is near septic systems, agricultural runoff, or older plumbing.

🏡 Pro Tip for Western PA Homeowners

Many homeowners choose to disinfect their well annually or whenever they notice changes in water taste, odor, or clarity. This can be done safely by following DEP’s guidance — but persistent contamination requires professional help.

Remember: Disinfection is not a permanent fix. If your well repeatedly tests positive for bacteria, the source of contamination must be corrected.

📞 Need Your Well Water Tested?

We provide fast, reliable water testing services in:

• Allegheny County – Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon, Fox Chapel, Robinson, and more

• Butler County – Cranberry Township, Seven Fields, Mars, Butler

• Beaver County – Beaver Falls, Aliquippa, Monaca, Chippewa

• Washington County – Washington, Canonsburg, Peters Township

• Westmoreland County – Greensburg, Murrysville, Latrobe

• Armstrong County – Kittanning and nearby areas

• Mercer County – Grove City, Hermitage, Sharon

• Indiana County – Indiana and surrounding towns

✅ Lead, Nitrate, Nitrite, Coliform & E. Coli testing

✅ Certified lab results

✅ Easy online scheduling

👉 Schedule your water test online or call/text 412-204-6149 today.

This blog is for informational purposes and is based on official guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. For complete instructions and additional resources, visit the DEP’s well disinfection page.