The ground around my cistern (well) has all died; is there something wrong with my water?

Question

I've never had this problem before, but there's a circle forming around my cistern of dead grass/weeds. I live in the mtns. of Colorado. Is this a sign of the water going bad? or contaminations? It can't be sucking moisture as it is a cement cistern (not well). The circle is about 2 ft. wide.

Answer 1

The concrete may be collecting heat and transferring it to the surrounding grass.  I'm guessing you're not getting much rain.

Answer 2

I'm having trouble getting the 'picture' here. You alternate between talking about a cistern and a well. What I'm visualizing is that you have a deep water well that a pump is taking suction on from an underground water sand, and discharging the water into a cistern that is located at a higher level than the highest outlet of water supply in your home; and you depend upon the higher level of the water in the cistern to supply the pressure needed to push the fresh water into all outlets in your home. Right?

If your water supply from the cistern doesn't show any change in color and/or taste than it always has had to make you suspect that it is being contaminated in some way, I would say that it's just a matter that the GRASS around the cistern is no longer getting sufficient water to keep it alive.

Maybe it was slight, constant leakage of water from the cistern before it was repaired that was keeping the grass alive year-round anyway, eh?  If you have any doubts about your water supply's being contaminated in any way, DO NOT HESITATE to have it tested to make sure!

Answer 3

If you are drawing your water from the ground it is more than likely just the water table around it has just dried up. Moisture more often than not will slowly seep through concrete. There is probably not enough water to sustain the plant growth. If you are that concerned take a sample and get it tested for contamination. I am in New Zealand and I presume as we are in the middle of winter you are in the height of summer and you have had little rain to keep the water table up. It is probably nature just doing its thing.