Benefits Of Learning How To Eliminate Sediment In Well Water The Efficient Way
Most often than not, you will come across sediment in well water. In this modernized era, water supply in the city is mostly treated by local municipalities to undergo sediment filters to get rid of larger particles.
On the other hand, well water is a different ball game altogether as the water source comes from the underground aquifer that may have sediment such as gravel, dirt, rust and sand which is unsafe for human consumption.
As time progresses, sediment particles accumulate and start to produce deposits that would disrupt flow rate of the water and water pressure. In turn, this will result in potential damage to your piping system, heaters, devices, appliances and faucets so it is important for you to know how to remove sediment in well water.
Lucky for you, we have prepared this article on how to remove sediment in well water to make life easier for you. Through this, you will learn ways to troubleshoot your sediment filter in well water in facing sediment particles being accumulated.
This is especially useful for private well owners to better understand sediment removal. Without further ado, let’s jump right into this article on how to remove sediment in well water.
What is Sediment?
Sediment is essentially a type of naturally occurring material that sits at the bottom and could move from place to another. Usually, the types of sediment consists of minerals and rocks but this could be expanded to cover decaying plants and animals which are known as natural sediment in your well.
Sediments are generally larger as compared to contaminants in water. Sediment issues cause the water to be cloudy and dirty which depends on the source of water. There are sediment tends to settle at the bottom of the water, there are also certain well water sediments such as the sediment will float and suspend in the well water.
These are different types of well water sediment
- Grit
- Rust
- Gravel
- Dirt
- Soil
- Tannins
- Dust
- Sand
How Does Sediment Enter Water from Wells?
Erosion causes sediment issues to develop and show up in ground water. The soil and rocks will be eroded by the water pressure and the moving power of rivers and streams. This can then cause gravel and rocks to flow to the river’s delta.
As a result, when it rains or snows, water will continue to seep into the ground, naturally containing fine silt. As the water flows through the layers of rocks and soil, more sediment particles are unavoidably gathered. It follows that it is evident that even decaying and decomposing plant and animal waste, including carcasses, can enter your well aquifer.
Though sediment issue is a natural phenomenon in your well water, there are instances that could prevent an excessive level of sediments from seeping into your well. Well, here are some of the things to look out for:
Replacement of the Well Casing or Screen
If you’ve been using your filtration system for some time, but you’ve only recently started experiencing sediment issues with your sediment filter, the problem could be due to a newly damaged well screen or worn casing.
Your well screen or casing may develop microscopic holes or gaps due to damage or excessive wear and tear over time, acting as a pathway for deposits and sediment problems to enter the well system.
It is very advised that you have your well checked by a professional once every ten years to check the state of your screen and casing and make sure they are in top shape. Well screens typically have a lifespan of roughly 25 years. However, if you experience problems before the well screen’s average lifespan is up, by all means, replace it as necessary.
Pipe Corrodes
You may experience pipe corrosion in copper pipes and old iron because their materials are prone to corrosion due to water conditions. Due to this, you will notice a portion of the sediments to enter your well water supply.
Be ready since corrosion is more likely to occur if your water systems are experiencing comparatively low or extremely high pH levels, high quantities of salt, or oxygen. In addition, certain types of sediment that are abrasive in nature can cause wear and tear that could increase the danger of corrosion to your pipes.
These sediments include iron bacteria and sulfate, which will increase the risk of corrosion to your pipes.
It is worthwhile to see a professional and have a water test done if you can tell that your pipes or water systems in your home have major sediment issues because they have greater experience troubleshooting water sediment.
Well Pump is Too Big
Sometimes, if the size of your well pump is too large – it can result in sediment issues in your well water. This is explained as the bigger the size of the well pump, the more powerful the pump will be. As such, this may result in the pump to possibly take in sand from the aquifer around it.
If you are in the opinion that your well pump could be too big then quickly engage an expert to assess the suitable size of well pump that you will require and install it quickly. A suitable pump size is crucial to prevent the valves of the pump from damage due to high levels of sediments being built up.
Too Low of a Well Pump
If you suddenly notice a build-up of sand or sediment, your pump may be poorly placed or set too low.
A typical submersible well pump is positioned 10 to 20 feet above the bottom of your well. The pump may experience a sediment problem where fine material is pulled in and collects at the bottom if it is positioned too close to the ground.
Never Had a Problem With Where Your Well Pump Was Placed Before?
The well shaft may contain sediment particles that have accumulated over time, so you should be aware of this, especially if you have an ancient well. This would result in the well’s base rising, which would then lead the well pump to start absorbing sediment from the well water.
There is a potential that silt particles will enter and accumulate throughout the drilling process if your well is brand new or has recently undergone repair. As a result, you would allow up to a month for the drilling-related silt to settle to the bottom and be removed from your well water, resulting in sediment-free water.
What Dangers Are Associated With Sediment in Well Water?
Truthfully, sediments from water do not usually pose any health risks to humans though the smell and taste of the water in your well water may be affected. Hence, removing sediment has gained traction to ensure high quality water in your home by having a water sediment filter.
Your water source may contain sediment that is unsightly or even abrasive in nature. Some of these deposits may damage your plumbing, fixtures, well pump, tap and other appliances that are connected to your pipes. Allowing silt to collect could result in blockage that disturbs water flow and may be expensive to repair.
It is crucial to remember that some sediment, such as bacteria, viruses, lead, and fertilisers, contains toxins and diseases that might have detrimental impacts on human health.
In order to avoid toxins from leaking through your well water and understand how to remove sediment in well water, it is necessary to vigilantly carry out testing to your filter systems every year. As a result, a single type of sediment could attract multiple viruses.
If you have notice wear and tear due to your well water, it is important to carry our testing for sediment. Through this testing, you would be able to troubleshoot and identify the actual problem so you could take the necessary steps to remedy the problem.
Proceed to purchase test kits online to test for mineral analysis of your water, indicator of pH levels, hardness of water and rust. If your water has odor or appears to be discolored or may start to stain surfaces then you should really try to water test for iron or sulfur.
Alternatively, a lab test can be carried to your water to give you a detailed explanation of the properties of your water but of course, the results of lab tests would require time before you can get the test results back.
How to Remove Sediment From Water
There are 2 types of filtration systems that are reliable and effective in ensuring sediment removal in well water which are spin down filters and cartridges where we would discuss each of the filtration systems in depth below.
Spin Down Filters
In this section, we will explore spin down filters which is generally used as a first stage filter and also known as pre-filter before a larger filter is being installed to target certain water contaminants such as lead, manganese, iron and so on to produce clear and clean water which is sediment free.
Spin down filters are mostly found in whole house filtration systems which are handy and beneficial especially if you have a large family. This is especially important to ensure the pipes, plumping system and appliances are covered and able to benefit from clean water sources.
In turn, this would ensure that they will not be subjected to early wear and tear by sediments which are abrasive.
Spin down filters are made with a clear exterior and a clean, streamlined shape so you can see how quickly sediment is accumulating inside. This filter is shaped like a big pipette and measures between 5 and 50 micrometres.
Additionally, the filter has a flush valve that makes it easy to ensure that the sediments it has collected are flushed out without having to take the filter out of its housing by hand.
The only thing you would need to remember is the occasional flushing. Spin down filters are known for being simple to install and low maintenance throughout their life cycle.
In contrast to other types of filters, this spin down has no impact on the flow of your water. They are readily available in a range of sizes to match various pipe diameters and can, by nature, handle water pressures of 20 to 80 GPM.
Cartridge Filters
In this section, we will dive into cartridge filters which are categorized as one of the most famous types of sediment filters to date. Similarly as above, they could be labeled as pre-filters, but of course, you have the option to use this cartridge filter as a standalone filter. They are designed to be installed at your main water source before your water heater.
There are 2 kinds of filter cartridges which are the spun cartridge and pleated filters.
This is the name given to the most often used sediment filters, the spun cartridge filters, because of their cylindrical shapes. These filters are constructed of a material known as spun polypropylene.
A complete sediment filter is guaranteed by the requirement that water run through numerous stages of filtration medium in a spun-cartridge filter. This increases the likelihood that sediments will be tapped through a broader surface area.
The outer layer of this sediment filter has the highest micron rating and is the most porous, meaning that its microns are unquestionably the best for capturing the biggest particles, such gravel and sand. Water will encounter problems like filter material with progressively lower micron ratings as it passes through more frequently.
Pleated filters are named after their design of filter media which is useful in filtering larger particles such as sand, gravels and so on. However, these pleated filters only use a single type of filter media which has high micron ratings. Due to this, most customers think pleated filters are less effective as compared to spun filters to remove sediment which is small.