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Sediments in water refer to solid particles that settle at the bottom of a body of water. These particles can include sand, silt, clay, organic matter, and other debris. Sediments can enter bodies of water through various sources such as erosion, runoff from land, and human activities. They can affect water quality by reducing clarity, increasing turbidity, and carrying pollutants. Sediments can also impact aquatic ecosystems by smothering habitats, affecting the availability of light and oxygen, and altering the composition of the aquatic environment.
Having sediment in your well water can indicate that your well is being impacted by surface water. Sediment can also carry bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants that can pose a health risk if consumed.
What are the effects of sediments on my well and well water?
Increased turbidity: Higher levels of microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, are associated with high turbidity levels.
Potential pump damage: Sediments, such as fine sand, can be pumped into your well water, potentially causing damage to the pump and other parts of your system.
Clogged pipes, fixtures, appliances: Sediment can accumulate in your pipes, fixtures, and appliances, leading to clogging and reduced water flow.
When should I test for sediments in my well water?
Since sediments can carry contaminants that pose a health risk, test your water for sediments, tannins, and turbidity if you suspect that there are sediments in your well water. To ensure you are protecting your family’s health, we have developed a set of recommendations for testing that are provided in our article, "What do I need to know about sampling my well water?" , that includes turbidity. When testing your well water you will very rarely be testing for only one thing, like turbidity, and instead testing for a suite of constituents that are important to identify if in your drinking water.
What treatment should I use if there is sediments in my well water? How do I remove sediments from my water?
Once you test and decided to treat your water for sediments, the Minnesota Department of Health has created a Home Water Treatment Guide that covers treatment for any common constituent in well water. The most common treatment is using a sediment filter. These filters are designed to remove small particles and suspended solids from your water but may not be effective in removing bacterial and chemical contaminants. Contact a water treatment specialist to find out more. The most important advice we can provide you is if you are going to add treatment to your home water system, be sure the treatment device has been certified to remove sediments by an independent third-party certification organization.
Where can I get local help and information about sediments in my well water?
Contact your local health department – They can help you interpret your sample results and may have information on the best treatment options for your situation. If they personally aren’t able to answer your questions, they will know who to contact who will be able to help you, likely at your state health department.
Contact a water treatment professional - we would recommend contacting a water treatment professional who has been certified through the Water Quality Association’s Professional Certification Program.
State or Federal Geologic or Water Resource Agency – they may have completed field studies of your area or collected samples from water wells to map and understand the water quality in your state. In addition, they may house water well logs, including yours, or be able to provide additional information about the aquifer your well is getting water from.
Consult your well driller or drilling contractor – the contractor that drilled your well, and other local contractors, may be aware of the water quality issues nearby including high sediment levels, and might have worked with other well owners in your area to solve this issue .
Research online – you should be inquisitive; it will help you significantly because there may be great information available online. Use search terms like “my state (CA, ME, IL, etc.) water well logs”, “my state groundwater quality”, or “my state well water quality”.
Contact us directly – if these other local sources don’t work out for you, we may be able to help. We may be able to provide direct assistance, and/or direct you to a technical assistance provider in your area who can help answer your questions (free service funded by USEPA).
Want to learn more about your private well and how to care for it?
Sign up for the free 10-week email course from PrivateWellClass.org. The class is a project of RCAP and the University of Illinois, with funding from USEPA.
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