Why is Sand or Grit in Water and How to Remove It

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Why is Sand or Grit in Water and How to Remove It

If your home’s water comes from a well, you may have issues with sand or other sediment in your water supply.

While gritty water isn’t usually a health risk, it’s not what anyone would choose to drink, shower in, or cook with. It can also result in abrasive wear to your well pump, clog your water lines, and damage your fixtures.

In order to rid your water of sand-like sediment, you will need to figure out the source of the contaminant, so that you can choose the appropriate treatment solution.

How does sand get in your well water?

There are some common reasons that sand is found in well water, from sources both inside and outside your home.

In order to figure out whether the sand is coming from inside or out of your home, run some water from the well directly into a white bucket to check for sediment.

Corrosion of fixtures

When the bucket test doesn’t reveal any sediment, the problem lies within your home.

It’s possible that what you see as “sand” in your water is actually particulates from corroded fixtures in your home. Over time, the glass lining of tank water heaters can break down into particulates resembling sand.

The anode rod inside a water heater can also corrode and release sediment into your water.

Replacement of the corroded fixtures may resolve your issue.

Groundwater particulates

If the source of the sediment is your well, you could be seeing particulates from naturally occurring dissolved minerals or organic matter.

You should test your well water to find out exactly what contaminants are lurking in your water to figure out the appropriate treatment solution for all your water issues.

As the owner of a private well, you are responsible for testing and treating your own water supply.

Issues with your well

When sand is coming from your well, it may be a symptom of bigger issues.

• New well: If your well was recently drilled, it can take up to 30 days for the well to settle and sediment to disappear. Improper well development may also result in sediment in the water.

• Improper well pump placement: If your pump is installed too close to the base of your water well, it could be drawing sand from the bottom of your well.

• Old well/well drilled in loose bedrock: Sediment could be piling up at the bottom of your well.

• Damaged or degraded well components: A damaged well casing, screen, or seal may be allowing grit and sediment inside instead of keeping it out.

If you suspect your well itself is the issue, You may want to consult a professional well pump contractor to fix the problem.

Is sediment in well water a health issue?

Water that has suspended solids in it can appear cloudy or discolored. You may also notice an unpleasant smell or odor.

The results of your water test can tell you exactly what contaminants are present in your water supply. While many common minerals aren’t a threat to your health, certain pollutants and pathogens can attach themselves to sediments in your water supply.

Potential health contaminants include microbes such as bacteria, virus, and protozoa, from pollutants such as fertilizers and pesticides, and from dissolved metals like mercury, lead and arsenic.

Read more about well water safety

How do I remove sediment from my well water?

When the sediment in your home’s water is the result of groundwater particulates in your water supply, choose the appropriate treatment solution based on the level of sediment.

Spin-down filters

For very heavy sediment in your water, you can install a specialty filtration system, such as the Rusco spin-down or sediment trapper filter. These filters screen out sand and sediment, which is released by opening a ball valve and flushing the filters.

Typically, you install a spin-down filter or sediment trap right after the pressure tank on a well system.

Rusco products are available at our sister store, DiscountFilterStore.com.

Rusco water filters and filtration systems

Cartridge Filters

For typical sediment, you can install a sediment pre-filter at the point of entry of water to your home. Sediment filters trap suspended matter like sand, dirt, rust, loose scale, pipe corrosion, clay, and other organic materials.

Note: If you are on well water, do not use cellulose filters as bacteria may treat them as a food source. Use polypropylene filters instead.

Sediment Cartridge Filters

Read more about Sediment Filtration

You can get rid of the sediment in your water

If your home’s water has sand or sediment, diagnosis of the issue will lead you to the selection of the most effective solution.

Unless your problem is a breakdown in your well - which is best left to professionals to fix - you can treat the issue with an appropriate water filtration system to get the clean, heathy water you need.