Why would my well water suddenly turn brownish?

Question

I am on a dead end street, I am surrounded on 3 sides by woods, and I live on top of a mountain. It's been fine for around 25 years. Any Ideas?

Answer 1

rust or sand in your pipes

Answer 2

sounds like it is going dry or the bladder has busted inside the tank.

Answer 3

someone shat in the well

Answer 4

Have the well inspected.

Answer 5

Rusty pipes, maybe?

Answer 6

As someone said, I would suspect your well is on the verge of running dry.  

What happens is this,,, as the water level in the water table or underground stream you are tapped into gets lower, silt begins to migrate into the reservoir you are pumping from.  The water level being high will contain that silt migration normally and there is little or no discoloration visible.   As the level gets lower, you are also disturbing the silt material that has accumulated over time.

Think of a river or stream when rainfall and run off is adequate.  Then think of what that same body of water looks like in a drought.  Same principle for under ground sources.

This may be a temporary condition, who knows ?   I would really consider having a new well drilled or having the existing well drilled deeper.  A local well driller with a good reputation should be able to advise you on the best action to take.

Answer 7

This means your well is almost empty and will need to be dug deeper or a new well will need to be dug.  My mother in law just went through the same thing and it cost her around four thousand dollars to have a new well dug.

Answer 8

sulfur can make the water turn brownish...get a purifier on your pump..that will help!!!