You have options. The most common and dramatic fix is shock chlorination. It sounds like a punk band name, but it’s just dumping a strong chlorine bleach solution down your well. Think of it as a spa day that kills everything in sight. You pour in the bleach, let it sit for 12 to 24 hours, then flush the system like crazy until the chlorine smell is gone. It’s noisy, messy, and requires patience—but it works like a charm for a one-time issue.
Before you start, read the label on your bleach bottle. You want plain, unscented bleach with no additives like thickeners or scents. The kind you’d use on laundry stains, not the fancy lemon-fresh stuff. Pour it down the well casing, not the pump. Then run every tap in the house until you smell bleach. Let it sit overnight. In the morning, flush every faucet, hose, and toilet until the water runs clear and odor-free. It’s like a deep clean for your plumbing. Satisfying, honestly.
But what if they come back?
That’s the real question, isn’t it? If coliform bacteria return after a shock treatment, you’ve got a chronic issue. You’re not just hosting a party; you’ve got a revolving door. That means you need a permanent solution. Two biggies here: a UV light system or a chlorinator. A UV light zaps bacteria as water flows past—no chemicals, no taste. It’s like a tanning bed for germs, but way less fun for them. A chlorinator adds a tiny, steady dose of bleach to keep everything sanitized. Both are great, but UV needs clear water to work (no cloudiness), and chlorinators need regular refills. Pick your poison—or your non-poison, really.
Also, check your well cap and casing. Seriously, go outside and look at it. Is the cap cracked? Is the ground sloping toward the well? Fixing a physical breach is the cheapest cure. Sometimes it’s as simple as sealing a gap with a $5 tube of silicone. If you see standing water near the well, that’s a huge invitation for bacteria. Drain it, fix the grading, and thank your lucky stars you caught it early.
How to Treat Coliform Bacteria in Well Water
