What causes black sediments in well water? (and How to get rid of them)

For people who use a private well for domestic water, it is common to find black sediment in water from time to time.

What causes black sediments in Well water is the presence of manganese which is a common mineral that is found in rocks and soils. Underground water usually has a small amount of manganese, but when the levels manganese rises, it appears as black sediments in the water.

The black mineral makes water to have a rust color and could course the staining of faucets.

The acceptable manganese presence in water in the United States is 50ug/l. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), keeping manganese below 50 ug/l prevents the adverse effects of staining home faucets.

What causes black sediments in water from a well

Sediments like manganese, sand, silt, grit or rusts are caused by one of the following: low water table, wrongly placed pump, faulty filters.

However, mineral deposits can be deposited into water aquifer through a natural process. This occurs when the walls of the aquifer collapse into the water.

The sediments could manifest its self as rust in the water.

Also, flooding can trigger sediments to be deposited in underground water. Although most minerals are filtered out, some will find its way into your tap especially when the filters malfunction.

Therefore, in most cases, the presence of sediments in the water usually indicates a problem with well pump and

Effects of exposure to manganese to your health

Exposure to manganese can cause malfunctioning of the nervous system which results in a disease that looks like Parkinson.

In addition, infants tend to absorb more manganese than adults. Manganese affects learning ability in children.

While some sediment has adverse health consequences, most sediments are of a nuisance. Sediments that come with disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses lead to diseases.

According to EPA, if sediments are accompanied by an unpleasant odor, you should have your water tested for contaminants.

On the other hand, sand in water might indicate that the well is filled with sand or the pump is too strong. Also, a pump that is too deep in the well could cause sand in water. A simple solution for a wrongly placed pump is to move the pump to the surface of the well.

What to do when you have black sediments in your water.

• Have you water tested if the sediments are accompanied by an unpleasant odor or a bad taste
• Installing a whole house water filter
• Changing the pipes
• Moving the location of the pump

Sand in well water causes

The unusual presence of sand in water could have been triggered by several things. First, a sudden appearance of sand could indicate that you well are filling up with sand.

The primary source of sand in the well is gravel parts on the inside of the well. When the well is being drilled it is lined with iron to act as a screen to keep sand out, a damaged screen will let in the sand into the well because it creates significant spaces which allow sand the surrounding to infiltrate the well.

Second, a well pump is placed at about 15 feet above the base of the well. If the pump is set to close to the floor of the well, it sucks in the sand and pumps it together with the water. Therefore, sand in the well could indicate that your pump is placed wrongly.

Additionally, some pumps are too powerful for some wells resulting in them sucking in the sand.

Sand in new well water is mostly because of a wrongly placed pump. Sand wears the pump out quickly, so you have to act immediately, you notice the sand to save the pump.

How to remove sand in well

The obvious solution is to lift the pump higher away from the floor of the well. You can contact a well driller to look at the pump. A special screen can be placed on top of the pump to filter out sand from the water before it reaches the pump.

Finally, to get rid of sand in your water you can invest in the sand separator which is usually placed between the pump and the pressure tank on the ground. This device spins the water resulting in the sand settling at the bottom, and the water goes into the pressure tank.

Well water bacteria problems

Bacterias are usually present in the environment, and most cases they are not harmful. In fact, some bacterias like those found in the digestive system of humans are essential in helping us digest food.

On the other hand, bacteria in well water usually indicates that the water is contaminated with disease-causing microorganisms.

In most cases, the presence of bacteria indicates that human waste could have infiltrated the well. Sewage or human waste gets into underground water when there is leakage in the sewer system, and it gets into the rivers and underground water.

If water from your Well test positive of bacteria, you should boil it before consumption.

Additionally, You can effectively to treat well water by adding chlorine before consuming the water. To easily add chlorine you can invest in a chlorination system for your home.

Muddy well water

The presence of mud in Well water could indicate that the volume of water is down, and the pump is sucking dirt/mud. To fix this problem is might be just a matter of letting the well be filled in.

However, in some cases, the presence of mad could indicate that the well was not properly drilled. If the person drilling the well places the screens which let water into the well to high up on the ground, they will let in water from the ground which is mostly muddy. Therefore, muddy water might indicate that the well is letting water from higher up to get in.

A wrongly placed pump which is too near the floor of the well might course the pump to suck in the mud.
The best option is to call a plumber to check out the well.

Drilled water wells problems

Incorrect Well construction

An example of an improper construction is when the well is designed such that it allows water in high up the Well instead of placing the screen at the correct depth. Also, installing low-quality screen will result in the screen letting in sands and other impurities into the water.

Over- pumping

If a very powerful pump is installed, it will result in dirty water being pumped.

Mineral infiltration

Mineral-like calcium, magnesium, and iron could infiltrate the well. Mineral penetration is most common in places where the water table is high on the ground.

Aquifer problems

Although most challenges for wells are a result of inappropriate construction, sometimes the problem could originate from the aquifer its self. Some aquifers are not able to recharge, or the rate of recharge is very low compared to the rate of water usage.

Best Sediments Filters

When you have a lot of sediments in your water, it is advisable to install a sediment filter. The good thing with sediment filters is; they are very effective and they are not very pricey. Read our review of the best sediments filters for well water review. 

Conclusion

Black sediments in Well water indicate the presence of manganese. While a small amount of manganese is usually present in water when it increases it appears as black sediments, minerals such as manganese, iron, calcium, and others can be deposited into the aquifers through a natural process. You should have the water tested to see if the black sediments are accompanied by harmful bacteria. Check if your pump is placed correctly.