On Mar 5, 10:01 pm, Nona wrote:
Thank you all for these detailed and thoughtful responses! I will be
reading the links and thinking through the other information you
posted. For now, we will plan on a 1-week shock chlorination, being
sure to measure the bleach very carefully. I also have a lot more to
think about with regard to the "softening" systems after reading
justalur's post.

These are the moments when I wonder what we ever did without the
internet. I am still in awe that I received such great responses from
an international consortium of experts in less than 24 hours!

Over the last 21 years I have shocked many wells. Shocking a well is
at best a temporary fix. It can cause serious and expensive problems
with the water quality, pump, electric cable, drop pipe and casing
etc.. More chlorine is not better. Chlorine raises the pH of the water
which decreases the disinfection properties of chlorine. Allowing a
well and pump and your plumbing to sit in chlorine is not a good idea.
Chlorine damages metals and power cable insulation etc.. And bleach is
heavier than water, so the bleach settles to the bottom of the well
and sits there doing nothing for the rest of the plumbing system
unless you use water.

If you get around to buying equipment, seriously consider buying
online and if have the desire and tools to install it yourself (it is
simple plumbing), you'll save a lot of money and get as good or better
equipment while preventing yourself from becoming dependent on a
plumber or local dealer.

Gary Slusser
Quality Water Associates