Residential water well producing dirty water

Dirty Water

To address the issue of your residential water well producing dirty water, follow this organized approach:

1. **Pump Functionality Check**: Begin by verifying that the pump operates correctly. Ensure it delivers clean water without obstruction.

2. **Pump Test**: Conduct a pump test to measure water production against usage. This helps determine if the pump is faulty or if there's an obstruction upstream.

3. **Well Casing Inspection**: Examine the well casing for signs of damage, cracks, or obstructions like pipe blockages that could trap impurities.

4. **Aquifer Pollution Check**: Assess for potential aquifer pollution by inspecting the surroundings and testing water for unusual chemicals or organics using chemical tests.

5. **Water Quality Tests**: Use turbidity test strips to detect sand or gravel and coltsfoot test kits (with proper guidance) to check for iron/lead contamination.

6. **Aquifer Monitoring**: Check nearby areas for gas leaks or oil spills that could contaminate the water supply.

7. **Consider Well Depth and Contamination Source**: If the well is too deep, consider it as a potential source of contaminated water from below ground.

8. **Evaluate Gas Leaks**: If there are signs of gas leaks in the casing, they might be releasing contaminants into the water.

9. **Professional Evaluation**: Consult a professional plumber or water well specialist for an advanced assessment and treatment options.

10. **Pumping Out as Last Resort**: Only resort to pumping out if all other methods fail, ensuring safe and effective disposal with appropriate equipment.

By systematically addressing each potential cause from simple checks to professional evaluations from Pump Division (509) 214-9355, you can identify and resolve the issue efficiently.