If you have a private water well, hopefully, you will never experience any problems with it. Unfortunately, the reality is, that problems do arise. One problem that may arise is is when the well starts to pump sediment. This can be indicative of a bigger problem and if left unresolved, may lead to having to decommission the well and build a new one. This week, learn what to do if you have sediment in your well water.
Causes Of Sediment In Well Water
There are multiple reasons for sediment to be found in well water. The most common reasons are as follows:
- Pump Set Too Low
- Screen Corrosion
- Well Pump Is Too Big
Well Pump Set Too Low
If a private well pump is set too low, that means it is near the bottom of the well, which is the reason why it is collecting sediment. Since water well pumps are submersible, they are placed in a casing for protection. Ideally, the water well pump should be placed no lower than 10 to 20 feet from the bottom, to avoid the collection of sediment that collects. If the water well pump draws up sediment, this can be indicative of either the water well pump being installed negligently too low or in the case of older wells, so much sediment has built up over time that the base of the well has risen to the level of the pump.
Well Screen Corrosion
It is common standard practice for modern wells to be built with a casing. This casing is where the submersible pump is placed. The casing is usually made with PVC, iron, or steel. The casing is designed in a way that allows water to penetrate while filtering out sediments. Since the materials used to make the casing, PVC, iron, and steel, can be corroded over time, this corrosion allows sediment to pass through the casing and eventually become pumped into the water system.
Well Pump Is Too Big
In some cases, the initial driller installed a pump that was too big or too powerful for the water well it is pumping for. For example, a pump designed to service a commercial building is installed in a private well built for a home. Due to the power of the pump, it might draw up sediment from the bottom of the well, despite it being placed more than 24 feet from the base.
What Do I Do If I Have Sediment In My Well Water?
If you notice sediment in your private well water, you should not ignore it. You should call the professionals at Accurate Drilling and we will send a technician to your property to identify and fix the issue. In some cases, it might be just raising the water pump higher up in the well. However, in other cases, we might have to replace the casing.
What Happens If The Casing Needs To Be Replaced?
If the casing needs to be replaced then it is recommended to do so with the best material designed for your geographic region. Although not an ideal solution, a special screen can be installed as an added barrier to filter sediment. This screen, however, cannot be used on all wells. Ultimately, if the well is very old, the best solution might to decommission and build a new one.
If You Ignore It, It Will Not Go Away
Whatever you do, do not ignore sediment in your private well water. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away. If you notice sediment in your water, it is best to call a professional to check on your private well. Accurate Drilling will be more than happy to send our team of trained professionals to check your well and if needed, come up with a solution that will ensure the health of your water supply and work within your budget.
