We’re talking about chlorine, not jump scares
Let your well be the only thing shocked by well-shocking costs! Shocking a well refers to adding chlorine to your well, so it can circulate through the system and destroy any contaminants. To gain peace of mind about the quality of your well’s drinking water and have your well shock chlorinated by a professional, you can expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $200 depending on your well depth, the type of well, labor, and more.
| Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $80 | $140 | $200 |
Shocking a well is a relatively simple job, but a few factors can affect the total cost. The type of well and its volume determine how much chlorine bleach you need, which can be an expensive and in-demand product. You’ll also need to factor in the labor costs of local well contractors and plumbers.
Chlorine bleach is the main supply cost involved in shocking a well, and the type of well you have can affect its storage per foot of water and how much bleach you need. The inside diameter of the well pipe in a drilled well is usually between 4 and 10 inches, whereas bored wells range from 12 to 36 inches. This difference in diameter translates to differing water standing water levels and the amount of bleach you’ll need.
Refer to this table to get an idea of how much water storage per foot your well has depending on its diameter:
| Diameter (Inches) | Storage per Foot |
|---|---|
| 4 | 0.65 gallons |
| 10 | 4.0 gallons |
| 12 | 5.9 gallons |
| 16 | 10.5 gallons |
| 20 | 16.0 gallons |
| 24 | 23.5 gallons |
The depth of your well is one of the other main factors in determining how much it will cost for the chlorine bleach required to shock it. The general standard is to add about 3 pints of bleach per 100 gallons of water in your well.
Finding the water depth in your well involves measuring the distance from the ground level to the water level and subtracting that from the overall well depth. If you don’t have records for the depth of your well, you can try to contact the contractor who installed it. The well diameter factors into the equation here—multiply the water depth by the gallons per foot indicated in the earlier table.
Say, for example, that your well has a water depth of 153 feet and is four inches in diameter:
Multiply 153 by 0.65 to get about 100 gallons (total volume of water).
Calculate three pints of bleach for every 100 gallons, and add three pints for treating household plumbing.
If the total volume is 100 gallons, you will need six total pints to treat the well and plumbing system.
Shocking a well doesn’t require a lot of active labor. Even so, the total cost of shocking a well can depend on how much labor your local well contractor or plumber must perform. Some wells are harder to access and, consequently, may take additional time to work on. Your location can also affect your contractor’s labor rate and likewise your final bill. Expect to pay between $45 and $150 per hour.
Shocking your well isn’t a one-time service. Expect to manage the following ongoing costs to maintain your well water quality.
There’s no firm schedule by which you need to re-shock your well. The right treatment frequency depends on a number of factors, such as the type of well or level of contamination. If you don’t notice any issues with your well, shocking it once per year should be enough to keep it healthy. Your local well contractor can also provide recommendations for treatment frequency based on their knowledge of your well system.
Many contaminants can go undetected in your well water until they start causing problems, which is why routine lab tests are important. In addition to annual tests for arsenic, E. coli, and other contaminants, you should also test your water a few weeks following chlorine treatment to ensure it’s contamination-free.
"Get your well water sampled at a lab every year. You always want to know what is in your water and how good it is."
— Constantin Geambasu, Owner of Water Rehab, Gilbert, Arizona
You can opt for either DIY or professional lab tests. The latter are more comprehensive and accurate than at-home tests, but they’re also more expensive and less convenient.
| Type of Test | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| DIY Water test | $30 |
| Laboratory test | $100–$500 |
If your post-chlorine treatment lab tests show that there are lingering contaminants, you’ll likely need to get a follow-up treatment. A well contractor may have repeat treatments built into their maintenance services, but you’ll otherwise be responsible for the full cost of another treatment.
Shocking a well can be an easy DIY project, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. You have to be careful with how much shock you add to your well. Otherwise, you could make your drinking water unsafe. Call a professional to help you understand how much shock you need for your well before trying to DIY this job.
Well contractors can not only access your well for you, but they can also ensure that caps, seals, and other components of your well are handled properly and in compliance with local and state regulations.
While chlorination is useful for destroying bacteria, parasites, pollutants, and other contaminants, high chlorine levels in drinking water can have negative consequences. Overly chlorinated tap water can result in illness and increased risk of cancer, according to USA Today. Not to mention, too much chlorine can damage your plumbing and appliances. Chlorine in tap water shouldn’t exceed 4 milligrams per liter.
Shocking a well is often performed in conjunction with other common well services. These may include:
Well inspection cost: $250–$550
New well construction cost: $3,000–$9,000
Well repairs cost: $370–$1,620
Pressure tank replacement cost: $300–$700
Well pump replacement cost: $975–$2,800
New or repaired plumbing: $75–$4,000
When it comes to saving money on shocking your well, taking proactive steps is your best strategy. With the right precautions and maintenance, you can minimize your well water contamination risk.
Avoid using pesticides, fertilizers, or other pollutants near the well.
Have your septic system regularly inspected and pumped.
Get your well inspection and complete any necessary repairs.
Dispose of waste properly and not in or around your well.
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The rules and regulations regarding groundwater use vary between states. To find out if you can dig a well on your property, you’ll have to consult these regulations, address any compliance requirements, and get the appropriate permits. It’s also important to check that your intended location has the right geology and water table to support a well.
Both can deliver clean water to your taps, but well water and city water carry a few differences. City water is delivered and connected through a main water line, and it travels through a network of underground private and public pipes to service various buildings and structures once it’s been treated.
Well water is derived from dug or drilled wells that source groundwater from the water table. City water is often more expensive than well water, but it eliminates the need for you to test and treat your own well water.
