How to Shock a Well

This is an infographic for sharing meant to show you how to shock a well when a test comes back positive for elevated bacteria and unsafe to drink. We will sometimes perform well-water tests for clients. There are two local labs that can process the results. The White Mills Microbiological Laboratory at 1300 Cave Rd, Glendale, KY 42740, and the Pirtle Springs Microbiological Laboratory at 1500 Shipley Rd, Cecilia, KY 42724. Both locations can process well water, and it costs around $21. You can pick up testing kits at both the HCWD 1&2 locations, and it is a fairly simple process. When we do a well water sample, we run the water for several mins, then shut the water off, and clean the faucet with some alcohol spray and wipes. Then we run the water for several more mins. We turn the water down to a slow trickle and then collect the sample. The test kits have a good set of directions with them as well.

We often see well sample results come back indicating that the water is not potable. Here is an infographic on how to shock a well that has failed a potability test.