O/T new well

My land is in the same general area. You got me thinking that I might be better off just driving a sand-point or digging a shallow well (if the building code people don't stop me). Sandpoint here in my area of New York is unheard of - and would be impossible.

Where I've got my land in nothern MI, the previous owner had been selling fill and sand. Every hole he dug to take sand out of, filled up and became a pond. Here's a few photos from last fall - all sand-mining holes that became ponds. And, I was told that the water table was a foot lower than normal when I took the photos.

Any new well has to build a "cavity" around the bowls/pump. A "reservoir" if you will. During this process, it's gonna pump sand. There's just no gettin' around it.

Your new well sounds plumb normal to me. You'll probably see excessive sand for the first 6 months to a year depending on the level of use.

Only way around it, is to turn 'er on and let it pump open discharge continuously for a month or so.

Allan

The only reason I'd guess for setting the pump so high was that the geology was really crumbly and the driller expected large amounts of debris. Exactly what Roy's getting.

Around here, when there's too much grit during drilling the driller will move elsewhere. Most everybody here has some, the question is how much. I didn't bother with a filter until I got tired of cleaning the clothes washer screens.

Our health dept. has been trying to get all drillers to use bentonite instead of concrete for casing sealing. Works better. We have a 20' casing minimum where drilling through bedrock.

Here, any change in the well water from a recent rain means it's not sealed adequately. Ground water will always have coliform.

You're absolutely correct, Roy's overdue to call the driller and ask. Hard to say what's normal for his area, but it sure isn't anything I'd want to live with.

That's what I'm thinking too but they usually case a problem area and don't leave it bare back.

I remeber Granddad and my Uncles talk about using bentonite for drilling mud and casing but I never heard them tell of sanitary sealing but that don't mean too much as I didn't pay attention like I should have. I sure wish I could pick there brains today tho.

Did you ever consdier using a homemade sand filter. Usually 3ft square and 3ft high concrete then layer of sand, 3/4 rock, then river rock then screen then drop into a sump to run into a cistern then pressure pumped to the system. These are making a big come back in pool/sauna filtering as they don't require chlorine to sanitize, just back flushed to clean.

Amazing how the old methods never die :)

T_Bone

I get 6-12 months out of a filter change on our water system. Minimal sediment, more of a nusuiance. Just this morning was watering my greens, with filtered water. LOL

Bentonite is also my choice for foundation waterproofing on traditional construction. Different form for sealing casing, which is about the size of a marble. The advantage is that it soaks up water and expands, drys out and shrinks, ready to go again. The expansion plugs the water path.

Just a natural clay, already pretty old. In some areas (Denver), responsible for destroying foundations. Interesting stuff.

Concrete cracks, and stays cracked. Whole lot better than nothing for well sealing, but our state health dept. has found bentonite superior. Real simple to install. Foolproof- I used it.

Sounds like that driller knew exactly what he was doing. I.E. pulling from multiple veins/levels and producing a darned good well for this fellow.

I can show you 60-year-old wells still pumping sand. This is a good thing, as it insures that the cavity is still growing from a good flow and the pack should be moving.

It is when the sand totally stops and the pack gravel doesn't drop that ya start worrying. Just a matter of time until they cave in at that point.

Allan

Well that's also true, but usually a well doesn't clear, clear is a realitive term, then start getting worse and this would be caution #1 for me.

As to the pump setting depth, I sure would ask the question of why. Drillers don't normally do that but maybe he's seen something he didn't relate to Roy or Roy didn't relate in his post.

The second concern is the well changing water quality after a rain. That's just not normal in most places.

That's why I suggested he call the driller and see what he says.

T_Bone

Did they line yours?

Gene