Sediment in Well Water? Here's Why & How to Fix It

You fill a glass of water, and there it is—a gritty residue settling at the bottom. Or maybe you're cleaning faucet aerators for the third time this month, digging out sand and silt that shouldn't be there. Sediment in your well water isn't just annoying—it's destroying your fixtures, wearing out your pump, and shortening the life of every appliance that uses water. Here's what's causing it and how to fix it for good.

Types of Sediment in Well Water

Before diagnosing the cause, it helps to identify what type of sediment you're seeing:

• Sand (coarse, gritty particles): Usually indicates well screen or casing problems, or a pump set too deep
• Silt (fine, muddy particles): May come from surface water infiltration or disturbed aquifer
• Red/brown particles: Often iron deposits or rust from corroded pipes or well casing
• Black particles: Could be manganese deposits or degrading rubber/plastic components
• White/gray particles: Typically calcium or mineral scale that's broken loose

The color, texture, and when sediment appears all provide clues about the source.

6 Causes of Sediment in Well Water

1. Damaged or Deteriorated Well Screen

The well screen is a slotted section at the bottom of your well that allows water to enter while filtering out sand and sediment. Over time (typically 20-40 years), these screens can corrode, crack, or develop enlarged openings that let sediment through.

Signs of well screen problems:

• Sediment present consistently, not just occasionally
• Problem has gradually worsened over months/years
• Well is 20+ years old with original screen
• Coarse sand or gravel particles in water

Fix: Well screen replacement or rehabilitation. This typically costs $2,000-$5,000 and requires pulling the pump and sometimes the casing liner. In some cases, drilling a new well is more cost-effective.

2. Pump Set Too Low or Shifted

Your pump should sit above the bottom of the well with adequate clearance. If the pump has shifted, dropped, or was originally installed too deep, it can pull sediment directly from the well floor.

Signs of pump position problems:

• Sediment appeared suddenly after an event (earthquake, heavy pumping)
• Worse during high-demand periods
• Pump makes unusual sounds (grinding, vibrating)
• Sand and silt mixed together

Fix: Raising and re-securing the pump costs $500-$1,500. A professional can measure pump depth and recommend proper positioning.

3. Declining Water Level

When water levels drop—due to drought, increased pumping, or aquifer depletion—your pump ends up closer to the sediment zone at the well bottom. You may also draw water faster than the well can recover, creating turbulence that stirs up sediment.

Signs of low water level issues:

• Sediment worse during dry seasons or droughts
• Problem worsens after heavy water use
• May also see air in water lines
• Neighbors reporting similar issues

Fix: Options include lowering the pump ($1,000-$2,500), deepening the well ($5,000-$15,000), or installing water storage to reduce pumping stress.

4. Collapsing or Damaged Well Casing

The well casing is the pipe that lines your well bore and prevents the surrounding soil from entering. If the casing corrodes, cracks, or collapses, sediment and surface water can infiltrate the well.

Signs of casing problems:

• Sediment increases after rain or irrigation
• Water quality changes seasonally
• Visible rust or corrosion at wellhead
• Well is 30+ years old with steel casing
• Bacteria test shows surface contamination

Fix: Casing repair or relining costs $3,000-$10,000 depending on depth and damage. Severe cases may require a new well. See our guide on well casing problems.

5. New Well Not Properly Developed

When a well is drilled, it must be "developed"—a process of pumping and surging that removes drilling mud, loose sediment, and develops a natural gravel pack around the screen. An improperly developed well will produce sediment for years.

Signs of development issues:

• Sediment present since the well was new
• Problem hasn't improved with time
• Well was drilled quickly or cheaply
• Fine silt rather than coarse sand

Fix: Well redevelopment (additional pumping, surging, and cleaning) costs $1,500-$4,000 and can significantly improve sediment issues in underdeveloped wells.

6. Natural Aquifer Characteristics

Some aquifers naturally contain fine sediment that's difficult to fully exclude. Certain geological formations in San Diego County—particularly decomposed granite areas—produce naturally sandy water.

Signs of natural sediment:

• Sediment has always been present at consistent levels
• Neighbors with wells have similar issues
• Area known for sandy/gravelly soil
• Very fine particles that pass through screens

Fix: Filtration is often the best solution for naturally sandy water. A properly sized sediment filter system can provide clean water indefinitely.

The Damage Sediment Causes

You might be tempted to live with a little grit in your water. Here's why that's a costly mistake:

"We see water heaters that should last 10-12 years fail in 3-4 years because of sediment. The homeowner paid more replacing water heaters than fixing the well would have cost."

How to Diagnose Your Sediment Problem

Solutions for Sediment in Well Water

Fix the Source First

The most effective approach is always to fix the underlying problem rather than just filtering the symptom. A well inspection can identify:

• Pump position and condition
• Well screen integrity (via camera inspection)
• Static water level and recovery rate
• Casing condition
• Sediment source and type

Sediment Filtration Options

For natural sediment or as a supplement to well repairs, filtration effectively removes particles:

Read our detailed guide on choosing the right sediment filter for your situation.

Well Rehabilitation

For wells that have accumulated sediment over time, rehabilitation can restore performance:

• Bailing and cleaning the well bottom
• Surging to loosen sediment from screen and gravel pack
• Chemical treatment to dissolve mineral deposits
• Redevelopment pumping to remove loosened material

Rehabilitation costs $1,500-$4,000 and can significantly extend well life.

DIY Troubleshooting Steps

Before calling a professional, you can try these steps:

1. Flush the system: Open an outdoor spigot and let it run for 15-20 minutes. Sometimes sediment accumulates in lines and can be flushed.
2. Check and clean filters: If you have existing filters, check them. Clogged filters can actually make sediment issues seem worse.
3. Reduce pumping stress: If sediment is worse during heavy use, try using water more gradually to allow the well to recover.
4. Inspect the wellhead: Look for damage, loose fittings, or evidence of surface water entry.

When to Call a Professional

Get professional help if:

• Sediment is heavy (visible grit in every glass)
• Problem is getting worse over time
• Sediment appeared suddenly after being absent
• You see multiple particle types (sand, rust, silt together)
• Water quality has other changes (color, smell, taste)
• Well is 20+ years old and never been inspected
• You're replacing fixtures/filters constantly

How SCWS Handles Sediment Problems

At Southern California Well Service, we approach sediment issues systematically:

1. Comprehensive inspection: We examine the wellhead, pressure system, and collect water samples
2. Camera inspection: When needed, we send a camera down to visually inspect the casing and screen
3. Water level testing: We measure static and pumping water levels
4. Flow testing: We assess pump performance and recovery rate
5. Diagnosis and options: We explain what we found and present repair options with costs
6. Professional repair: From pump repositioning to well rehabilitation to new well drilling

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Clean, Clear Well Water

You shouldn't have to live with gritty water destroying your fixtures and appliances. Whether you need a simple filter solution or comprehensive well repair, we can diagnose the problem and provide lasting solutions.

Don't let sediment damage turn a $1,000 fix into a $10,000 problem. Call us today for a professional assessment.