ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses alternative techniques for cleaning wells that utilize less-hazardous, lower-dose passive chemicals, thereby allowing the well pump to remain intact during remediation. A comparative listing of the generic well-cleaning chemicals was prepared to assist well owners and contractors involved with selecting well remediation chemicals. Microbial contamination of wells is causing engineers, well drillers, and well owners to begin evaluating the total water quality change that takes place after remediation of a well, rather than just relying on a “safe” coliform test. Causes of well deterioration are most often determined by three mechanisms: physical, chemical, and biological. The contribution of each mechanism toward clogging the well should be evaluated initially by chemical analysis of the groundwater. Chemically, as dissolved carbon dioxide in water dissipates during pumping of the well, the pH elevates and calcium scale will form or oxidized iron/manganese will start precipitation within the well.
