How to Add Chemicals to a Well for High Iron

Determine the amount of chlorine you will need to use for shock chlorination. In terms of adding chemicals to your well, shock chlorination is often the most effective method for removing iron from water. But shock chlorination requires a chlorine concentration of 50 to 100 parts per million with a contact time of at least six hours to be effective. The amount of bleach needed to achieve this concentration depends on the size of the well; a 2-inch-diameter well with 50 gallons of water will require only 1/4 cup of bleach, while a 12-inch-diameter well with 200 gallons of water can require up to 4 cups.

Add chlorine to your water well to shock chlorinate-soluble iron and iron bacteria. Use only the amount you measured in Step 1 and run water in your home until there is a chlorine odor to the water; the well should also smell like chlorine. Let the chlorinated water stand in the well for six to 12 hours.

Place the end of your garden hose in an appropriate water disposal area and run it until the water has no detectable chlorine smell. Note that discarded water is heavily chlorinated, so it must not be disposed of in septic systems, plumbing systems, or on lawns and flowerbeds. This is known as "flushing" your water well; do not use water in the home until the system has been fully flushed.