new well suddenly cloudy

[sjpilot]

A new 50’ well, steel casing. It initially ran clear and passed bacteria test.. 10 days later, it suddenly produces cloudy water. 2 showers, 2 laundry loads preceded the cloudiness. A glass of water sits and mostly clears in 25 minutes or so. No heavy rains, no smell, no visible sediment. Any ideas? Will call the well driller monday, but this is frustrating.

 

[Reach4]

Try using the search box above for this phrase: "develop the well"

Include the quotes.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Bannerman]

What is the well's static water level?
Diameter of the well casing?
Was the well's recovery rate measured?
Type of pump?(Submersible or jet? Model of pump?)
Depth of pump if submersible, or depth of foot valve if jet?
Pressure switch pressure range?
Capacity of pressure tank?
How often does the pump cycle during water use such as during a shower?
Any water treatment devices before the home's faucets? (ex: filters, water softener, pH neutralizer etc)
Once the water in the glass becomes clear, any visible sediment?
Was a lab test performed? If so, post the report.

 

[sjpilot]

42’ is the submersible pump. 4” well, 6” casing. 55” well. 50-70psi pressure switch. Pressure tank 40gals?
Mineral test done - results not back. Passed chloroform test.
Well dug 10 days ago.
Initially had some sand - ran it 2 days and it cleared.
Water crystal clear for last 8 days.
Drew sample this morning from test spigot and inside the house.
Both remain cloudy 4 hrs later.
Sample from 10 pm last night also cloudy 12 hrs later.
No visible sediment.
No water filters or softeners. previous well did not require it.
Pump will kick on 40 seconds at toilet flush.


I’ve sent info to well driller.
It’s Sunday.
But it’s really irritating it’s cloudy.

I’m new at this.

 

[Valveman]

A new 50’ well, steel casing. It initially ran clear and passed bacteria test.. 10 days later, it suddenly produces cloudy water. 2 showers, 2 laundry loads preceded the cloudiness. A glass of water sits and mostly clears in 25 minutes or so. No heavy rains, no smell, no visible sediment. Any ideas? Will call the well driller monday, but this is frustrating.

Does it clear or does it settle. If it clears it maybe air. Could have a small leak in the pipe and a check valve at the tank that is not needed would make the leak draw in air.

 

[sjpilot]

No. It does not clear.
No sediment. After sitting 12 hours or 5 hours.
No smell.

Just milk colored water after 8 days crystal clear.

 

[Reach4]

A glass of water sits and mostly clears in 25 minutes or so.

Does the top of the glass clear first, or does the bottom of the glass clear first?

 

[sjpilot]

Does the top of the glass clear first, or does the bottom of the glass clear first?

It never clears all the way. it stayed murky from last night. This morning’s samples are both still milky now fully 6 hours later.

There is no sediment in any of the sample glasses visible on the bottom or to the eye in the water.

In last night’s sample, the water is equally murky through the entire 12 ounce glass.

edited to add:
i ran water in the bath tub this afternoon. The cold was wide open. After 5 minutes, sand accumulated (probably 1 tablespoon worth) in the bottom of the tub.

The well produced sand at start up 10 days ago, but cleared after 2 days of running it.

 

[Valveman]

Run it some more.

 

[sjpilot]

Run it some more.

Been running well into the yard 3 hours. running the tub for 20 minutes then off for 20. Lots of sand - more than when we were flushing it 10 days ago. Had to clean toilet fill valve.

I think it is definitely a well development problem. Hope it’s not gas. Or a leaky casing.

My well guy is coming by in the morning.

Any other ideas are certainly welcomed.

 

[Valveman]

Run enough to keep the pump from cycling or you are just surging the well up and down. But also don't run enough to pump the well dry. I have seen is take weeks of non stop running. Usually the lower producing wells take longer to clean up because they have less water to flush with.

 

[sjpilot]

Run enough to keep the pump from cycling or you are just surging the well up and down. But also don't run enough to pump the well dry. I have seen is take weeks of non stop running. Usually the lower producing wells take longer to clean up because they have less water to flush with.

Thank you. The water is just running. The pump hasn’t been cycling. so that is good.

I appreciate the help.