Hand dug well

[Gatesvilleguy]

I have a hand dug well on my property that used to have excellent water. It hasn't been used in over 30 years though. It has a cover but I emagine things have found there way into it. Any one have any advice on how to "clean"the well. I'd like this to be a back up water source. I would also like to have it tested but I'd just as soon the government didn't know it was there--any ideas on how to do that?

[OneBadPig]

No advice on the well, but i realized I'm not terribly far from Gatesville. I went throught there a couple of months back. !!!!!Howdy Neighbor!!!!!!

[kenno]

First off open-up the phone book and look-up County Extension Agent, better yet, google that term and learn what they can do for you! The Extension Agent can test your water, soil, tell you what soil additives you need in your garden and a whole lot more!

[rsanders]

First off open-up the phone book and look-up County Extension Agent, better yet, google that term and learn what they can do for you! The Extension Agent can test your water, soil, tell you what soil additives you need in your garden and a whole lot more!

They are very helpful,I just took some soil samples to my local Extension office this week. I'm not sure why you would think that the government would want to know about a well, but if I were worried I would just make up a line about the sample coming from a source in another county or something of that nature. Your local water co. may test it for you ,I know that ours will, might want to call them and ask.

[TacSKS]

I am not an expert on wells but,

Adding regular household bleach is a simple cheap way to disinfect a well and is quite popular in developing nations. Household bleach contains 3-6% sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). When added to your well, sodium hypochlorite will dissassociate and form free chlorine molecules (Cl-) which will kill most bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. This is why chlorine is added to pools and public tap water. The amount of Cl necessary will vary widely depending on a number of factors including; volume of water to be treated, contaminants of concern, water temperature, and most importantly pH

A WORD OF CAUTION!!!! Chlorine is not effective against all contaminants; notably Cryptosporidium Oocysts(causes "Beaver Fever"), heavy metals, or chemicals such as pesticides. When dealing with wells, heavy metals are generally the most common contaminant, but disinfection should always be combined with filtration (and UV radiation if possible).

When the world continues to tick as normal there are certainly more effecient ways to disinfect a well, but if everything is falling apart around you, hang onto that bleach bottle.

[lady_banjo]

You should definetely get the water tested. We pounded in a shallow well (with hand pump) as our backup water source. The water looks and tastes wonderful. However testing showed high levels of nitrates & nitrites which are colorless, odorless, etc. and are very, very unhealthy for you! Chlorine doesn't do anything; has to be filtered out. We're trying to come up with our plan B.