The most common and direct method of removing sediment from well water is to install a sediment filter for the whole house. These filters function as sieves, designed to trap and remove suspended particles from the water.
Sediment Backwash Filters
Well water first flows through a filter strainer removing sand and large sediment common with silt, dirt, and mud. An optional auto-flush valve keeps the filter mesh screen clean, or it can be manually flushed by opening the bottom flush valve.
There are usually 2 causes for this type of problem. The most likely is that the water level in the well drops below the well casing while the pump is running. If the well isn't recovering fast enough to keep the head above the level of the casing you could be pulling in muddy ground water.
Vinegar is part of clearing and cleaning a clogged drain, and it's also helpful in removing sediment from water heaters. After you've drained your hot water tank, you can pour a gallon or so of vinegar through it.
During the drilling process, sediment can enter the well, and it will remain there for as long as 30 days before it dissipates. If you have an older well, sediment can pile up at the bottom of the well from loose bedrock.
It is generally recommended to flush your well at least once a year.
While sediment in well water doesn't typically pose any direct health threats, it can wreak havoc on plumbing, fixtures, and appliances if left unresolved. Sediment particles can clog pipes, leading to restricted water flow and lower water pressure. Why Is There Sediment In My Well Water?
Erosion is a mechanical process, usually driven by water, wind, gravity, or ice, which transports sediment (and soil) from the place of weathering. Liquid water is the main agent of erosion. Gravity and mass wasting processes (see Chapter 10, Mass Wasting) move rocks and sediment to new locations.
While some sources claim that vinegar can damage your hot water heater, this is not entirely true. The acidity in vinegar is not strong enough to damage the stainless steel or glass-lined materials used in most hot water heaters. However, it's essential to use caution when using vinegar to clean your hot water heater.
It is not designed to completely remove sediment from the water. This filter catches sediment as the water is pumped into the resin tank. As the water exits, the sediment is carried off (hence self-cleaning filter) into the now softened household water.
You will need to have a supply of water and a way to pump it through the well point. By pumping the water back down and through the screens, it may dislodge some of the sand and silt, moving it away from the screen and allowing the groundwater to successfully flow through the screen again.
The average lifespan of a well pump is generally around eight to 15 years. However, where your pump will fall in that pretty wide age range depends on many factors. The single largest factor in your pump's life expectancy is the frequency of your pump's duty cycle.
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.
High pressure could permanently damage the well and lead to even greater and permanent pollution. Pump cleaning is a far more gentle solution, which does not damage the construction of your well and does not create any pressure. It can be performed by a professional, but you can also handle it yourself.
Follow the water lines after the pressure tank. It should be right there before the HWT but it's possible it's only installed on the cold side for whatever reason. They're also may not be a filter and it's a pressure system/tank issue.
Disconnect the cold-water inlet, hot water outlet, T & P valve, or element holes and, using a funnel, pour one (1) gallon of regular household cider vinegar into the water heater. (Do not dilute with water) ** NOTE: For Electric Heaters, it is recommended you remove the elements from the heater and lay them in a pan.
Make sure you turn off both the water heater and water supply, remove the anode rod, and then pour about a gallon of vinegar into the tank (using a funnel is recommended). Be sure to close the drain valve and allow the vinegar to soak for at least six hours. After soaking, reopen the drain valve and turn on the water.
Deposition is the laying down of sediment carried by wind, flowing water, the sea or ice. Sediment can be transported as pebbles, sand and mud, or as salts dissolved in water. Salts may later be deposited by organic activity (e.g. as sea shells) or by evaporation.
The most common sediment treatment technologies are monitored natural recovery, capping, and dredging and excavation. Monitored natural recovery takes advantage of natural processes, including natural burial of contaminated sediments with clean sediments.
Maintain vegetation, or revegetate shoreline banks to absorb and dissipate water velocity and energy. Slow road surface drainage and reduce sedimentation by directing water into forested or densely vegetated areas with lead off ditches, broad based dips, bioswales and water bars.
To remove sediment from your well water supply, you can try a separation filter, a centrifugal system, whole house filtration systems, or even a water softener system. Learn more about how a water test can detect sediment in your well water, and find the best system to help you purify your well water supply.
If you have a well, you also need a well pump — which requires a sediment filter to operate properly. Learn more about sediment filters here and why they're essential for your system.
Every well is different as far as how long it takes to clear. Some wells need only a few minutes, others can take days before it is back to normal.