Making Positive Business Choices

If you have an older well on your property and your well water is often brown and murky, it's likely due to well casing failure. Older wells have casings that are made from steel, which means that they can become corroded due to acidic groundwater. Corrosion causes holes to form in the casing, which allows sediment to enter into the well water.

You'll most likely notice this problem after heavy rainfall, since the high hydrostatic pressure on the sides of the casing is able to push sediment into your well more easily. If your old well is experiencing this problem, read on to find out why it's a good idea to have a new well drilled on your property rather than trying to repair your current one.

Filtration Systems Typically Can't Handle High Levels of Sediment

When the water coming out of your well is brown due to its high sediment content, your first reaction may be to have a whole-home water filtration system installed. Unfortunately, this solution often doesn't work well. Dissolved clay in your well water is typically small enough to bypass even heavy-duty filtration systems, so it will still remain in your water.

In addition, high levels of sediment in your well water mean that you'll need to change the filter in the system quite frequently as it becomes clogged with sediment. Purchasing replacement filters can become quite expensive over time. Overall, trying to filter well water with high sediment content is most often a poor option for restoring your home's water quality—it's better to have a new well dug on your property.

Repair Costs Will Add Up Over Time

You may be able to prevent sediment from entering your well water by patching the corroded areas of your well casing. However, this isn't the best option either. When you have an old well casing that's become badly corroded, new leaks will spring up quickly after you patch the old ones. Corrosion eats away at the metal well casing, causing the entire casing to become thinner and more likely to develop cracks and holes. Repair costs for patching holes in your well casing can quickly add up, leading to a situation where you'll save money overall by having a new well installed rather than attempting to repair your old one.

Sediment Quickly Damages Your Well Pump

Repair costs can also become a problem due to well pump failure. Well water that contains high levels of sediment will damage your well pump's impeller blades, making it more likely to fail. This is especially true in areas with sandy soil, since the grit quickly wears away at the well pump. Continuing to use a well with significant levels of soil intrusion makes it more likely that your well pump will be damaged. Your home will be without water until you're able to replace it.

Harmful Bacteria May Be Present in Your Well

When soil is able to enter into your well water, bacteria in the soil is able to enter as well. Some soil bacteria are harmless, but some (like E. coli) can cause severe health problems. If your well is pumping brown water, it's a good idea to take a sample and have it tested for the presence of coliform bacteria. If bacteria is able to enter your well water, you should have a new well dug in order to ensure that your home's water is safe to drink.

If you're experiencing stubborn problems with sediment entering your well water, call water well drilling services and have your well inspected. In older wells, the problem is most likely due to the well casing breaking apart due to corrosion. If your well casing is corroded, the best solution is to have a new well drilled on your property. Although drilling a well can be expensive, it's the best way to ensure that your home's water is clear and free from sediment.