Big Problem with water

[Greg0145]

I have a well, probably 30 years old. I have lived here for 6 years now. For the first 4 years I had no problems, in fact I didn't even know the house had a whole house filter. After 4 years my washing machine clogged with particles. I found the filter and changed it, problem solved. The filter clogged 4 months later which I thought was normal, although this hadn't been a problem. About 1 year ago the filter started clogging weekly so I changed from a 2 micron to 30 micron filter. That seemed to help for a while but now I'm changing filters weekly. And it is simply amazing at how much is collecting in the filter housing. The particles are fibre like, redish brown. They actually look like some type of root, with branches coming off the main stem of each. Weird. I thought it was iron but not sure. I need to identify what this is. Filters are not cheap and I'm tired of changing them every week. I've attached a picture of the clogged filter. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!!

[Gary Slusser]

Describe your well and where it is; is it in a pit, does the casing stick up of the yard etc., diameter?

Coming in from the well, where inline is this filter; before or after the pressure tank and pressure switch?

What type pump do you have; jet above ground or submersible in the well?

How old is the house or well?

[Greg0145]

I think the casing does stick up out of the yard. It is above ground and I'm fairly certain it uses a submersible pump. The filter is inline after the pressure tank (bladder). The house is 30 years old, I'm assuming the well is too.

[Gary Slusser]

I think you should collect and store (don't let it dry out) some of the material and possibly find a lab to tell you what it is and depending on what it is, post it here or find a water treatment dealer, pump guy or a well driller.

[Greg0145]

I had a local well driller come out yesterday. They didn't know immediantly what it was. They pulled the pump and ran a camera down. At the end of the casing was a gap of about 2 feet where the casing ended and the rock began. Tree roots everywhere! They had grown down in the rock and partially blocked the casing. They rigged a 50 foot section of 1 inch PVC and attached a sharp edge to the end. Ran it down and they where able to chop all roots. Cleared the path and then added 20 feet to the casing, poured some cement and, hopefully problem solved. Now the issue is running water until all the roots and particles our out, which will take some time. Very pricey but I'm relieved that it may be fixed. Also learned that my pump is 21 years old. They said it was on it's third life and to expect it to die soon. Hopefully it lasts a little longer.

[Gary Slusser]

It sounds as if the guy that put the well in didn't get the casing into bedrock. But now you should be fine.