What To Do When Your Water Well Begins To Pump Sand Or Grit

Sand in Well Water?

If your well begins to pump sand, silt, or dirt, this can indicate a serious problem with your well. Sand in well water or sediment in well water requires some problem-solving.

Sand in water can lead to abrasive wear of the well pump, clogging, and premature replacement of fixtures, appliances, and your water treatment system due to the presence of abrasive sand.

In private well water systems, often, what appears to be sand can be sediment or other particulate material from various sources.

Be sure to determine if what you are observing is coming from your well or within your home, and try to run the water directly from the well into a white bucket to see if you can identify some sand or sediment.

Consider getting your water tested for contaminants, especially if there is a foul odor, bad smell, or taste present.

There are many causes for the sudden appearance of sand in your water well. When your well begins to pump sand, it is usually best to seek advice from a well-driller or pump-contractor to determine the source or cause.

Nonetheless, let’s discuss some of the most common causes of sand or grit in your water well and our knowledge on approaching the problem.

Common Causes of Sand and Sediment in Well Water

Geological Causes

Geological formations play a significant role in the presence of sand in well water.

When a well is drilled through sandstone, limestone, or other sand-laden geological layers, it can introduce fine sand into the water supply.

Shallow wells are particularly susceptible to this issue, as they often draw water from less compacted strata that contain more sand particles.

Understanding the geological conditions of your area is crucial in identifying potential sources of sand in your well water. By knowing the types of formations your well penetrates, you can better anticipate and address issues related to sand and sediment in your water supply.

Improper Well Pump Placement: Well Pump is Set Too Low in Well

If your well suddenly starts to pump sand and sediment, this may indicate improper well pump placement, where the pump is sitting too low in the well near the bottom.

Most wells use submersible pumps that are down in the water in a casing.

Typically, the well pump is set, so it’s at a minimum of 10 – 20 feet higher than the well’s base. But if the pump is down near the well’s base, sand or grit and sediment can be drawn in.

In old wells, the well shaft can fill up with fine sand and silt so much that the pump may start to suck in sand from this build-up.

Well Screen Degraded

When the well is drilled, it is lined with steel, iron, or PVC plastic called a casing. The well driller installs the casing in the well shaft.

The well casing has grooves that allow water to penetrate the well from the surrounding groundwater and at the same time keep out sand and grit. This is called the well screen.

Your submersible well pump is down inside this casing, and over time, the good screen can become degraded or corroded, allowing silt and sand particles to get into the well and pumped into your water system.   In some cases this can cause you to need pump replacement if the sandy water has ruined the pump.

Well Pump is Too Large

In some cases, the well pump can be too powerful for the well, causing it to draw sand in from the surrounding aquifer.

This sand can cause a rapid deterioration in the pump’s valves and cause a build-up of sand at the bottom of the well, which can lead to sand in your water lines.

In any case, a sudden presence of sand or grit is not a good symptom, and the source or cause should be inspected.

Effects of Sand in Well Water

Visible Effects

The presence of sand in well water often manifests through visible signs that can indicate a larger problem. Sand can make your water appear muddy or cloudy, giving it an unappealing look. You might notice sand settling at the bottom of glasses, toilet tanks, or other containers.

This visual indication is usually the first sign that prompts further investigation. If left unchecked, sand can accumulate within your plumbing system, leading to more severe issues down the line.

Plumbing Problems

Sand in well water can wreak havoc on your plumbing fixtures and appliances. The abrasive nature of sand particles can cause significant wear and tear on the interior components of faucets, valves, and other water-using devices. Over time, this can lead to premature failure of these parts, resulting in leaks and a noticeable drop in water pressure.

Additionally, sand can clog pipes and appliances, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. Addressing the presence of sand promptly can help prevent costly repairs and maintain the integrity of your plumbing system.

What Should I Do? How to Clean Sand out of Water Well?

If your water well begins to pump sand or sediment, it is often best to contact your well driller or local well professional to discuss the problem and possible ways to fix it. In some cases, pump repair may be necessary to address the issue of sand in your well water.

Sometimes the well contractor can pull up the pump 10 to 20 feet to eliminate sand uptake. A well professional can put a camera down your well and inspect the well screen to see if it has deteriorated or needs repair.

Water Testing and Analysis

Regular water testing and analysis are essential steps in identifying and addressing the presence of sand in well water. A comprehensive water test can detect not only sand particles but also other sediments and potential pollutants.

This detailed analysis provides valuable insights into the overall quality of your well water. By conducting regular water tests, you can ensure a safe and reliable water supply for your household.

Professional water testing services can help identify issues early on, allowing you to take corrective measures before they escalate into major problems. Maintaining a routine testing schedule is a proactive approach to safeguarding your water quality and the longevity of your well system.

New Well Casing

In some serious situations, a new casing may be advised.

However, there are also special screens a well contractor can install over the pump to keep out sand.

Although these are not feasible for some wells if the casing is very old or if the well's diameter is too small if it is not feasible or possible to repair, a new well may be recommended.

(Click here if you want to learn more about Groundwater Wells. )

Centrifugal Sand Separator

Another solution is to install a centrifugal sand separator on top of the ground before the pressure tank to filter the water before it enters your home plumbing system.

Centrifugal sand separators effectively remove over 98% of all 200 mesh-sized particles (74 microns) and greater.

Centrifugal sand separators act as filters to remove sand and sediment through centrifugal force, sling large particles, sand, debris, and sludge outward to the separator wall, and downward by the gravitational force pulls the separated solid particles past the spin trap plate into the solids holding chamber.

Cleaned water then rises through the vortex locator and returns to the plumbing system. Once in the solids-holding chamber, the sand can be easily drained out through a small ball valve opening at the bottom of the device, manually or automatically with an auto flush valve.

No further maintenance is required as there are no moving parts to wear out and no screens, cartridges, cones, or filter elements to clean or replace. If finer filtration is needed, this should be followed by another type of secondary filter to take out the finer particles.

For most residential and irrigation needs, we recommend the Lakos Sandmaster, and for larger systems or applications up to 290 GPM, we recommend the industrial Lakos Separators.

sand in well water

Filter Screen with Flush Valve

An alternative to the centrifugal sand separator is a spin-down filter that comprises a filter screen and a small valve found at the filter’s bottom. Water filtration systems, including spin-down filters, are essential for removing sand and sediment from well water. The screen filters out the sand and sediment and can be cleaned out by opening the ball valve and flushing the filter.

These sand and sediment filters must not be too fine because they can result in a pressure drop. Generally, a 60 or perhaps a 100 mesh screen works well in straining out most sand and grit. These types of spin-down filters are installed after the pressure tank.

Both the centrifugal sand separator and the screen filters have manual ball valves that allow you to flush out the sand.

If you use a lot of water or have a lot of sand in your water, it may require frequent cleaning, in which case an automatic flush valve can be installed.

These valves turn on for a few seconds and flush out the accumulated sediment and keep the sand trap clean.

A combination of different types of well water filters can also maximize performance and minimize maintenance.

If there are some sand and sediment such as clays, soil, or dust particles, a combination of a large mesh (60 mesh) spindown filter first, followed by a backwashing sediment filter, can eliminate most sediment and not require constant maintenance and filter changes.

The automatic backwash filters using turbidity filter media such as Chemsorb or Turbidex can filter down to the 3 to the 5-micron range and then backwash out the accumulated sediment to drain once or twice a week as needed.

In some cases, if there are very fine sediment less than 5 microns, a final stage dual-grade 1-micron depth filter is recommended. However, since most sediment is removed by the spin-down filter and sediment backwash filter, the cartridge lasts longer.

Do you have sediment or sand in your well water?   If your well begins to pump sand or grit, get our free guide or call us for more information.

For more information about well water quality, maintenance, and potential issues with sediment and sand, check out these resources from trusted educational and governmental sources.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Private Drinking Water Wells
  https://www.epa.gov/privatewells
  This page provides guidance on maintaining private wells, understanding potential contaminants, and best practices for water testing.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Well Testing and Maintenance
  https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/index.html
  The CDC offers information on well testing, maintenance, and common contaminants, which can help well owners identify potential issues with sand and sediment.
• National Groundwater Association (NGWA) – Water Well Basics
  https://wellowner.org/water-well-basics/
  This resource from the NGWA provides in-depth knowledge on well construction, common well issues, and maintenance tips for homeowners.
• Michigan State University Extension – Causes of Sand in Well Water
  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/causes_of_sand_in_well_water
  This article discusses various causes of sand in well water, offering practical solutions and advice for well owners.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) – Groundwater Information
  https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/groundwater
  The USGS site provides scientific information about groundwater, including well health and the importance of monitoring and testing.