Sand
or sediment in your well water is more than an inconvenience.
Sediment can clog well pumps, fill well tanks, and even clog your
home's plumbing. Learn the signs of a well sediment problem so you
can address issues before real damage occurs.
Signs
of Sediment Issues
Sediment
issues are sometimes obvious, but not always. You may have
sedimentation problems in the water even if the well isn't bringing
up buckets of sand.
Visual
Symptoms
Visual
symptoms of a well contaminated with sediment can be quite subtle. In
severe cases, the pump may bring up substantial amounts of sand,
leaving no doubt that there is a sediment issue. In other cases, the
sediment can be diluted into the water. In this case, the water may
seem cloudy when fresh from the tap. If you leave a glass of water to
set, the sediment may sometimes collect at the bottom.
Testing
Protocols
Unless
you are bringing up obvious sand and dirt, testing is necessary to
verify sedimentation problems. A well service can test for
contaminants like bacteria, as well as for minerals and sediment like
manganese, silica, and iron. If the water has an off flavor or off
color, tests for tannins and turbidity may also be necessary. At a
minimum, your well should be tested every three years or if you
suspect a problem like sedimentation.
Common
Causes
Sand
in the well can usually be traced to one of two causes -- problems
with the pump or issues with the screen that lines the well.
Fortunately, both types of issues can be repaired if addressed
promptly.
Pump
Placement and Sizing
Sediment
sinks to the bottom of a well, which is not the place where you want
the pump. If the submersible pump is placed too near the well bottom,
it may bring up quite a bit of the sediment that tends to settle.
An
oversized pump can also be the issue. If the pump is working too hard
for the well size, it may cause too much water movement in the lower
areas of the well. This will stir up the sediment so that it is
sucked up
Well
Screen Problems
The
well screen acts like a filter. Water can seep through, but sediment
should be filtered out. Not all wells have screens, though, and
sometimes the issue is a breach in the well casing. If there are any
issues with the well casing that are leading to sediment seepage into
the tank, then they must be repaired.
Possible
Solutions
Every
well is unique, which means that you need to work with a well service
to determine the best solution for your circumstances. Generally,
these are the types of repairs that are available for well
sedimentation.
Inspection
and Adjustment
Often
all your well needs is either a new pump or a location adjustment of
the current pump. A location adjustment is the simplest, since your
well tech can simply raise the pump in the well and solve the
problem.
If
your well technician determines that pump size is the issue, then a
new smaller pump is the solution. A submersible pump can last 25
years, so you want to make sure it's the right one.
Well
Repairs
A
prompt repair is necessary in order to save the well If sand is
actually leaking through the casing. The installation of new well
screen can solve the issue, whether the problem is with the old
screen or if your well casing itself has a breach. Although more
involved than a pump adjustment or replacement, the installation of a
new screen is still less expensive and time consuming than a new
well.
ContactAction Well & Pump Repair for more help with any well issues that you
encounter.
