How to Filter Sand Out of Well Water | Complete Guide
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Sep 20, 2022
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If your home’s water source is from a well, it is common for there to be sand or sediment in the water.
While this isn’t necessarily harmful to your health, it can give the water an unpleasant taste and cause wear and tear on your home’s plumbing fixtures and appliances.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about dealing with sand in well water.
Contents
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Key Takeaways
These are the most common and effective filter types to remove sand from well water:
- Centrifugal sand separator – Uses centrifugal force to spin the water at high speeds to separate the sand.
- Spin down sand filter – Uses gravity to remove sand.
- Sediment filter cartridge – The sand gets trapped as water passes through the surface or depth filter.
- Backwashing filter – The tank-based filter uses backwashing to flush out all accumulated sand/sediment which increases filter life.
What Are the Reasons for Sand in Well Water?
There are a few reasons why sand might end up in your well water. To find out the culprit, it’s best to seek professional advice.
That said, here are the common causes for sand appearing in well water.
Well Construction Issues
It’s not uncommon for there to be poor construction practices used when drilling a well. This can result in the sides of the well collapsing, which in turn can lead to sand and sediment entering the water supply.
Sometimes, the problem could be an improper well development process. Well development is a standard phase of installation in which sediments and foreign materials are removed after drilling.
Well Screen Degradation
The well screen is the part of the well that helps to keep debris and sediment out of the water. However, these screens can wear or degrade over time, causing sand to enter the water.
Well Pump Issues
Well pump issues range from the pump not being the right size to the pump not being properly installed. These issues can cause sand and sediment to enter the water supply.
Pump Too Low
Some wells use submersible pumps, or pumps placed at the bottom of the well. Typically, a submersible pump should be installed at least 10 or 20 feet higher than the base of the well. If it is too low, sand can be drawn into the pump.
Pump Too Large
When a well pump is too large for a well, it can cause the water to flow too quickly. This subsequently leads to sand being pulled from the surrounding aquifer.
What to Do About Sand in Well Water
In order to stop your well from pumping sand, it’s important to know how the sand seeped in. Unless you have extensive knowledge about wells, you should consult a well contractor or water treatment professional to find the root of your problem.
Here are the common solutions professionals would recommend based on the causes.
Have Your Well Fixed
If your well is too shallow or was not properly cased and cemented during drilling, it needs to be repaired professionally. You may contact your original well driller or seek a second opinion from another company.
Get a New Well Casing
A well casing is a shaft that goes down into the ground to reach the water table. The casing is then sealed with cement to keep out contaminants. Over time, it can develop cracks or holes that allow sand and other materials to seep in. If your well contractor has detected a problem with the well casing, it may need to be replaced.
Move or Replace Well Water Pump
If your water pump is located too close to the bottom, you will need to adjust it to a higher position.
But if the issue is the pump’s large size, you may need to replace it with one that is proportionate to the well.
How to Remove Sand from Well Water
There are a few ways to remove sand from your well water supply. But before attempting anything, it’s best to get your water tested.
A water test will help you determine the best way to filter your water. It will also give you an idea of how much sand is in your water and whether it contains harmful contaminants.
Once you know what you’re dealing with, there are a few methods you can use to remove sand from your water supply:
Get a Well Water Filter
The most common and effective method to remove sand from well water is to install a filtration system that contains a sediment filter. These filters work by trapping the sand and sediment in the water as it passes through the filter element.
Centrifugal Sand Separators
A centrifugal sand separator is an effective way to remove sand from your well water. These devices work by spinning the water at high speeds and using centrifugal force to separate the sand from the water. They reportedly have an efficiency rate of 98%.
All you need to do is install the separator in between the well and the pressure tank and let it do its job.
Spin Down Sand Filters
Spin down sand filters are an alternative to centrifugal sand separators. These devices work in a similar way but use gravity instead of centrifugal force to remove sand.
However, spin down filters come with a few caveats. They require regular maintenance, so if you are dealing with large amounts of sand, you have to check up on them more frequently.
Spin down filters may also cause a drop in water pressure, since they are installed after the pressure tank.
Sediment Filter Cartridges
Sediment filter cartridges are another type of filter that can be used to remove sand from your water supply. These filters work by trapping sediment in the cartridge as the water passes through it. The filtered water then flows out of the cartridge and back into your home.
Backwashing Sand/Sediment Filters
Tank-based filters can also be used. They apply backwashing in order to flush out all accumulated sand/sediment and thus have a much longer filter life.
Side note: To backwash a spin down sand filter, simply turn off the power to the unit and open the drain valve. Then, start the pump and let it run until the water coming out of the unit is clear. Finally, close the drain valve and switch the power back on.
To clean a sediment cartridge filter, remove the cartridge from the housing and rinse it off with a garden hose. Then, put the cartridge back in the housing and turn on the pump. Let it run for a few minutes to flush out any remaining sediment.
Further Reading:
Is Sand in Well Water Harmful?
The short answer is no – sand in well water is not harmful to your health. However, the presence of sand can imply other things. For instance, other more harmful contaminants like bacteria may be entering your well.
Large amounts of sand can also clog your home’s water fixtures and appliances. This not only reduces their efficiency but can also cause long-term damage.
When in doubt, consult with a professional.
Why Should I Seek a Professional?
Although it is tempting to try and fix well water problems on your own, it is highly recommended that you seek the opinion of a professional. Well water issues are often harder to solve than city water issues.
A well contractor can examine the construction of your well and determine if repairs are needed. Meanwhile, a water treatment professional can test your water for contaminants and develop a plan to remove them.
If you have any questions about how to filter sand from well water please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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