Well point

Hi everyone.Looking for help with my issue and came across this site!

I have a well point in my chalet that has been sucking up sand. The point was put in about three years ago to replace an older one which had rusted out.

After the replacement point was installed, there were bits of sand entering the system but it was no real problem.No big deal.

Over the past three years, however, more and more sand came up.Our washing machine stopped working and this was the first sign of things getting serious.Then came issues with clogged faucets and toilet reservoirs which became worse and worse.

Last week, I had someone come in and he installed a sand filter (white cartridges). He also changed the  check  valve and cleaned the pump innards which contained lots of sand.
In addition he attached a garden hose to the line and opened it up to try to flush the sand from the well (with the hose running to the outside.)

During the flushing  attempt, the water would flow, initially with lots of sand, but after a minute or so, would became totally clear. Similar attempts had the same results. Sand ,and then clear water.

As things currently stand, I left the chalet because there is no water being pumped. The filter is totally filled with sand.

Any ideas as to resolve would be greatly appreciated.

I can't tell you how to stop sucking sand up from your well but I have an idea that you may or may not be able to implement.

Water pipe comes straight down onto steeply angled screened catcher pipe fitting.

However, you are exposing your drinking water to the air and to the build up on the screen.  You will also have some water splash off or run off with the sand (so arrange a low velocity before the water hits the slanted screened fitting).

This is just a guess but I'm thinking the screen on the sand point got torn or ripped as it was driven into the ground.  I'm guessing the only fix is to put in a new point...

Orin that 'screen catcher fitting' is near the point, underground? This would mean extraction of the pipe needed?

Mike,  I am no where even close to being knowledgeable on these things. But this seems to be the most probable answer. ( Meaning that the tear got worse over the three years the replacement point was installed.)

Will let you all know when the point is pulled and replaced.

(Any other possibilities welcomed though.)

Add a settlement tank, or upgrade to a fill filter tank.

You can also pull water from the top of the settlement tank. A similar concept can be seen with septic tank systems.

My buddy bought 40 acres down the road from me and he has a low gpm well that has some amount of sediment coming up.

He put ina 10,000 gallon cistern tank above ground that he pumps into from the well.  Then he pumps out of the cistern into the house, this allows the sediments to settle to the bottom and he draws off relatively clear water for the house.  This also solves his low volume issue by pumping small quantities continuously into the tank.  Granted I am sure he will eventually have to clean the sediment from the tank but it should work well for quite a few years before he has to deal with that.

This might be a potential approach for you as long as you can keep the water flowing and you don't get "just" sand at some point.

Thank you Roy.
The well point is situated in the basement of my country house. Plus, the water is used for cooking, cleaning, and drinking. So have to find some other solution. Thinking about putting in a new well point in a slightly different location, through the basement floor.

[color=orange] [/color][size=12] [/size]OK, this is an update. The problem was discovered when changing out the well point for a new one. The piping (just above the actual point) had perforated in several places. This allowed air and water and sand to enter the system. The new one nopw works just fine. Thanks all.