Can someone please help, well water filter question

[momisnutz]

We recently bought a manufactured home on 2 acres and a new well was installed, there had never been a well, pump, anything here before besides woods. Anyway, after clogged drains, faucets, leaks, you name it, we had it, we finally got the sellers of this home to fix a lot of things. 2 weeks ago they installed an outside Culligan filter or something, I guess I need to say that there are yellow/orange stains and such here as well. My question is this: What we originally thought was sand, I now don't think it is, can someone tell me if this water is okay for my family?? What should I do?? I put the pics here of what the filter looked liked today after two weeks of use and it was already clogged up, (no water pressure at all) the second pic is the small amount of sand that was actually present. Can anyone offer advice on this, can it be fixed?? HELP!!! We are a family of five, 3 children, and I do not want to give them this water, cook with it or anything. someone here is an expert....so, help us, please!!!





one other thing, there is sand in the toilet tanks as well.

[Gary Slusser]

That is a disposable cartridge filter and they are a very poor choice to use to fix water quality problems; especially yours.

I say you have a serious iron problem, and sand from the well. You should have water tests for iron, pH, manganese if possible and hardness and to make sure the gritty stuff is actually sand put some of it in vinegar and let it sit for a day or two and see if any dissolves. If so it isn't sand, and probably will be hardness scale. But I think it's probably sand.

A well producing sand is a bad thing and indicates a problem that will ruin your pump and could cause the need for a new well due to cave in etc. or bury a submersible pump and when you have to pull it, it won't come out of the well.

Unless there is harmless bacteria in the water, iron etc. is harmless and does not mean the water can't be used. And if you'n the kids don't come out of the shower or tub all rusty, there's no problem with bathing in it. Over protecting kids causes them problems as adults...

[momisnutz]

Thank you....

I don't care if they come out a sorta orangy tint...long as they've got the mud from behind their ears..lol...I just wasn't sure if it was safe...they seem to have more stomach upset than before, so I was a tad worried...thanks so much for your advice...I am getting in touch with the sellers now to let them know what I have found out via this forum. I think we may just take the offer of getting our money back and finding somewhere else...this place has been one headache after another....thanks again!

[Gary Slusser]

You should have a Coliform bacteria test and E-Coli or Fecal Coliform tests done. Or buy bottled water and they use it for everything, no ingesting this water at all for 4-5 days and see if they don't get rid of the stomach problems.

[Andy CWS]

That filter is a washable filter and can be used a number of times before throwing away. If prefilters don't last but a few weeks, then a backwashing filter is recommended. Make sure that it is a reliable valve with the proper media. Softeners are designed to act as filters.

I hope that is not a problem with the well. I wonder if the pumped were raised if that would make a difference? Can you provide any details on your well construction, age, depth, etc.?

As far as 'safe' s concerned, proper lab rtesting is the best way to determine if your well has bacterial or viral infestation.

Andy Christensen, CWS-II