Campaign Circular 1 Revised 1979: Contains emergency flood information. Discusses reconditioning wells and water systems

Schnieder, Rollin D.

English

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - LincolnDigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - LincolnHistorical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Extension1979CC1 Revised 1979 Emergency Flood InformationRollin D. SchniederFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhistThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Extension at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted forinclusion in Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University ofNebraska - Lincoln.Schnieder, Rollin D., "CC1 Revised 1979 Emergency Flood Information" (1979). Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. 2979.http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/2979BDJergeacy Flood lalorDJalioa By Rollin D. Schnieder, Extension Safety Specialist, in cooperation with Todd Furse, Di~isjon of Environmental Health Disinfection of Water Supply Systems cc 1 (Revised 1979) RECONDITIONING WELLS AND WATER SYSTEMS UNIVERSI fY OF NEBR. LII3RARY JUN 031988 When a well is suspected of having been contaminated from such sources as ground surface run-off or floods, it should not be used for drinking purposes until samples taken are analyzed and found bacteriologically safe. A bacteriological analysis can be performed at no cost to Nebraska residents by the Nebraska Health Department Laboratory. Sterile water sample bottles are available from the State Health Laboratory, the Division of Housing and Environmental Health and County Extension Agents in some areas. The well should first be cleaned of any foreign debris. The method varies with the type of well (dug, drilled, etc.). The well should be pumped until the water appears clean. Then the complete water system should be disinfected. A universal disinfecting agent used in water works is chlorine. It is available in many forms; however, the two most commonly used forms are dry chlorine (calcium hypochlorite) and liquid sodium hypochlorite, commonly referred to as "household bleach." Household bleach contains approximately 5.25 percent available chlorine. You must use ingenuity in introducing the chlorine into the well, reservoir and piping system to assure proper distribution and disinfection of all parts of the water system. One convenient way to chlorinate the water supply is to add the chlorine directly into the well. A high-strength hypochlorite solution is made by adding one cup of bleaching liquid to five gallons (19 I) of water and mixing thoroughly. This chlorinated water should be poured into the well, washing the walls, casing, drop pipe and other equipment in the process. Attach a hose to a nearby faucet and start the pump. This lets the recirculated chlorine water come into contact with the casing, drop pipe, etc., to assure complete disinfection of the well itself. If after a reasonable period (approximately 10 minutes). a chlorine odor is not evident, repeat the procedure with fresh chlorine water and continue to recirculate the water for approximately 30 minutes. This may not be done with some wells. After the recirculating process, the components of the well should be reassembled. Leave the well undisturbed for approximately two hours. The well pump should then be started and all taps opened and flushed until a chlorine odor is evident, thus allowing for complete disinfection of the distribution system. The taps should then be closed and the remainder of the chlorinated water flushed to waste through an outdoor tap until all traces of chlorine are gone, thereby avoiding any possible damage or overloading of the septic system. Shallow wells may remain contaminated for some time after flooding because of surface seepage; therefore, for at least two weeks after the ground has dried up, the water should be boiled or chlorinated before use. To Disinfect Small Quantities of Water for Drinking When you have reason to believe that your drinking water supply has become contaminated, small quantities of water can be made safe to drink by following one of these two methods: A. Boiling Method 1. Strain the water through a clean cloth to remove any sediment or floating materials. 2. Boil the water vigorously for at least three minutes. B. Chlorination Method Purchase from a drug or grocery store a bottle of sodium hypochlorite solution. This is sold under trade names such as Clorox, Purex, White Magic, Hi-Lex, etc., and contains about five percent active chlorine. 1. Strain the wa{_er' through a clean cloth to remove any sediment or floating materials. 2. Read label to determine the percentage of chlorine and follow this table. Chlo~ i ')e Drops per Quart of Water 1% 10 4~% 2 7-10% 1 3. Mix well 4. Let stand for 30 minutes. For muddy or turbid water, DOUBLE the amount of chlorine shown above. REMEMBER: 1. The NUMBER ONE RULE OF WATER SAFETY is that no matter how clear and sparkling the water looks, it is not necessarily safe to drink. 2. If in doubt about how much chlorine solution to add to the water being disinfected, add it until a faint chlorine odor or taste can be detected from the water. To Chlorinate Water in Cisterns and Other Holding Tanks One fluid ounce (30 ml) of a five percent solution such as described above is ordinarily enough to disinfect 375 gallons (1425 I) of water. To use, mix a measured quantity of the hypochlorite solution in a bucket of water and pour this bucketful into the cistern to be disinfected. Allow the water to stand for an hour or longer. Table 1 Amount of Water Amount of 5% Hypochlorite to be Treated Solution to be Mixed in Bucket Gallons Teaspoonsful 10-20 1/4 Diameter of Cistern in Feet Gallons for Each Foot of Table 2 0.5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 20·40 1/ 2 Water Depth 1.5 6 24 53 94 147 212 288 375 40-80 1 8Q-1 00 1 1/ 2 100-150 3 150-200 4 200·300 5 300-375 6 The above treatment should impart a distinct chlorine taste to the water. This taste is harmless, but indicates that enough of the chemical has been used to disinfect the water. If no odor or taste of the chemical is present, repeat the treatment using one-half the original amount of chemical. Such procedure will disinfect only the water actually present at the time of treatment. If the water supply is subject to seepage from the surface or from some source of pollution such as a privy vault or cesspool, the treatment will have to be repeated often enough to maintain a chlorine taste. Any process of disinfection is at best a temporary measure, the steps should be taken to reconstruct the water supply system or secure the water from another source known to be good. The procedure outlined above is for underground water only. Usually water from a lake or stream will require more chlorine solution to disinfect it. To Recondition Water Systems Damage to an electrical water system from flood water can be kept to a min imum by the following methods : 1. Disconnect the electric motor and take it to an electrical repair shop. Here it can be checked for any shorts or grounds caused by moisture. If badly saturated with water and mud , it will be necessary to thoroughly clean the motor and dry out the windings in a drying oven. Thoroughly oil bearings before reuse. Motors on ejector or jet pumps have two types of mounting. On one type the motor is a separate unit mounted on the pump and can easily be serviced. Some pumps have the end bell of the motor as a part of the pump and the motor shaft may be one piece running into the pump. With th is type of mounting and shafting, remove pump and motor as a unit and take it to an electr ical shop. It is not necessary to remove drop pipes. 2. Electrical controls and pressure switches should be cleaned and dried. Electrica l wiring should be checked for shorts. 3. The water pumps should be cleaned and valves checked for mud and dirt. The inspection plate on the side of the pump gearing should be removed and all dirt and water removed from gears and gear box. Replenish the gear box with fresh oil. 4. The storage tank should be all right unless muddy water was pumped into it before it was shut off. If dirty, clean and drain thoroughly. 5. After the system is put back into condition, operate it for some time to thoroughly pump out the well and force fresh water through all pipe lines. Check the motor for proper switch operation and overheating and check the pump gear box for proper oil circulation. For more information contact your county extension agent. The Cooperative E xtension Serv ice provides infor mation and educational prog rams to a l l people without regard to race, color or national origi n. Extension work in "Agriculture, Home Economics and subjects relating thereto," The Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska· Lincoln, Cooperating with the Counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Leo E. Lucas, Director 

CC1 Revised 1979  Emergency Flood Information

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-
Lincoln Extension Extension
1979
CC1 Revised 1979 Emergency Flood Information
Rollin D. Schnieder
Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Extension at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for
inclusion in Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of
Nebraska - Lincoln.
Schnieder, Rollin D., "CC1 Revised 1979 Emergency Flood Information" (1979). Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-
Lincoln Extension. 2979.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/2979
BDJergeacy Flood 
lalorDJalioa 
By Rollin D. Schnieder, Extension Safety Specialist, 
in cooperation with Todd Furse, Di~isjon of 
Environmental Health 
Disinfection of Water Supply Systems 
cc 1 
(Revised 1979) 
RECONDITIONING WELLS 
AND WATER SYSTEMS 
UNIVERSI fY OF NEBR. 
LII3RARY 
JUN 031988 
When a well is suspected of having been contaminated from such sources as ground surface run-off or 
floods, it should not be used for drinking purposes until samples taken are analyzed and found 
bacteriologically safe. A bacteriological analysis can be performed at no cost to Nebraska residents by the 
Nebraska Health Department Laboratory. Sterile water sample bottles are available from the State Health 
Laboratory, the Division of Housing and Environmental Health and County Extension Agents in some 
areas. 
The well should first be cleaned of any foreign debris. The method varies with the type of well (dug, 
drilled, etc.). The well should be pumped until the water appears clean. Then the complete water system 
should be disinfected. 
A universal disinfecting agent used in water works is chlorine. It is available in many forms; however, 
the two most commonly used forms are dry chlorine (calcium hypochlorite) and liquid sodium 
hypochlorite, commonly referred to as "household bleach." Household bleach contains approximately 5.25 
percent available chlorine. 
You must use ingenuity in introducing the chlorine into the well, reservoir and piping system to assure 
proper distribution and disinfection of all parts of the water system. 
One convenient way to chlorinate the water supply is to add the chlorine directly into the well. A 
high-strength hypochlorite solution is made by adding one cup of bleaching liquid to five gallons (19 I) of 
water and mixing thoroughly. This chlorinated water should be poured into the well, washing the walls, 
casing, drop pipe and other equipment in the process. Attach a hose to a nearby faucet and start the pump. 
This lets the recirculated chlorine water come into contact with the casing, drop pipe, etc., to assure 
complete disinfection of the well itself. If after a reasonable period (approximately 10 minutes). a chlorine 
odor is not evident, repeat the procedure with fresh chlorine water and continue to recirculate the water for 
approximately 30 minutes. This may not be done with some wells. 
After the recirculating process, the components of the well should be reassembled. Leave the well 
undisturbed for approximately two hours. 
The well pump should then be started and all taps opened and flushed until a chlorine odor is evident, 
thus allowing for complete disinfection of the distribution system. 
The taps should then be closed and the remainder of the chlorinated water flushed to waste through an 
outdoor tap until all traces of chlorine are gone, thereby avoiding any possible damage or overloading of 
the septic system. 
Shallow wells may remain contaminated for some time after flooding because of surface seepage; 
therefore, for at least two weeks after the ground has dried up, the water should be boiled or chlorinated 
before use. 
To Disinfect Small Quantities of Water for Drinking 
When you have reason to believe that your drinking water supply has become contaminated, small 
quantities of water can be made safe to drink by following one of these two methods: 
A. Boiling Method 
1. Strain the water through a clean cloth to remove any sediment or floating materials. 
2. Boil the water vigorously for at least three minutes. 
B. Chlorination Method 
Purchase from a drug or grocery store a bottle of sodium hypochlorite solution. This is sold under trade 
names such as Clorox, Purex, White Magic, Hi-Lex, etc., and contains about five percent active chlorine. 
1. Strain the wa{_er' through a clean cloth to remove any sediment or floating materials. 
2. Read label to determine the percentage of chlorine and follow this table. 
Chlo~ i ')e Drops per Quart of Water 
1% 10 
4~% 2 
7-10% 1 
3. Mix well 
4. Let stand for 30 minutes. For muddy or turbid water, DOUBLE the amount of chlorine shown 
above. 
REMEMBER: 
1. The NUMBER ONE RULE OF WATER SAFETY is that no matter how clear and sparkling the 
water looks, it is not necessarily safe to drink. 
2. If in doubt about how much chlorine solution to add to the water being disinfected, add it until a 
faint chlorine odor or taste can be detected from the water. 
To Chlorinate Water in Cisterns and Other Holding Tanks 
One fluid ounce (30 ml) of a five percent 
solution such as described above is ordinarily 
enough to disinfect 375 gallons (1425 I) of water. 
To use, mix a measured quantity of the 
hypochlorite solution in a bucket of water and 
pour this bucketful into the cistern to be 
disinfected. Allow the water to stand for an hour 
or longer. 
Table 1 
Amount of Water Amount of 5% Hypochlorite 
to be Treated Solution to be Mixed in 
Bucket 
Gallons Teaspoonsful 
10-20 1/4 
Diameter of 
Cistern in 
Feet 
Gallons for 
Each Foot of 
Table 2 
0.5 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 
20·40 1/ 2 Water Depth 1.5 6 24 53 94 147 212 288 375 
40-80 1 
8Q-1 00 1 1/ 2 
100-150 3 
150-200 4 
200·300 5 
300-375 6 
The above treatment should impart a distinct chlorine taste to the water. This taste is harmless, but 
indicates that enough of the chemical has been used to disinfect the water. If no odor or taste of the 
chemical is present, repeat the treatment using one-half the original amount of chemical. 
Such procedure will disinfect only the water actually present at the time of treatment. If the water 
supply is subject to seepage from the surface or from some source of pollution such as a privy vault or 
cesspool, the treatment will have to be repeated often enough to maintain a chlorine taste. 
Any process of disinfection is at best a temporary measure, the steps should be taken to reconstruct the 
water supply system or secure the water from another source known to be good. The procedure outlined 
above is for underground water only. Usually water from a lake or stream will require more chlorine 
solution to disinfect it. 
To Recondition Water Systems 
Damage to an electrical water system from flood water can be kept to a min imum by the following 
methods : 
1. Disconnect the electric motor and take it to an electrical repair shop. Here it can be checked for any 
shorts or grounds caused by moisture. If badly saturated with water and mud , it will be necessary to 
thoroughly clean the motor and dry out the windings in a drying oven. Thoroughly oil bearings before 
reuse. Motors on ejector or jet pumps have two types of mounting. On one type the motor is a separate unit 
mounted on the pump and can easily be serviced. Some pumps have the end bell of the motor as a part of 
the pump and the motor shaft may be one piece running into the pump. With th is type of mounting and 
shafting, remove pump and motor as a unit and take it to an electr ical shop. It is not necessary to remove 
drop pipes. 
2. Electrical controls and pressure switches should be cleaned and dried. Electrica l wiring should be 
checked for shorts. 
3. The water pumps should be cleaned and valves checked for mud and dirt. The inspection plate on 
the side of the pump gearing should be removed and all dirt and water removed from gears and gear box. 
Replenish the gear box with fresh oil. 
4. The storage tank should be all right unless muddy water was pumped into it before it was shut off. If 
dirty, clean and drain thoroughly. 
5. After the system is put back into condition, operate it for some time to thoroughly pump out the 
well and force fresh water through all pipe lines. Check the motor for proper switch operation and 
overheating and check the pump gear box for proper oil circulation. 
For more information contact your county extension agent. 
The Cooperative E xtension Serv ice provides infor mation 
and educational prog rams to a l l people without regard 
to race, color or national origi n. 
Extension work in "Agriculture, Home Economics and subjects 
relating thereto," The Cooperative Extension Service, Institute 
of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska· Lincoln, 
Cooperating with the Counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
Leo E. Lucas, Director 


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CC1 Revised 1979 Emergency Flood Information

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