Well water is a clear liquid that does not contain any foreign matter. Only floods can cause its slight turbidity. However, after settling, it returns to its original state. However, if the water in the well is yellow, it is necessary to find out the causes and eliminate them in order to avoid health problems and breakdowns of household appliances.
The main causes of yellowing of water in a well
Changes in color, odors and other factors indicate the need to study water quality. Even if laboratory analysis shows its safety, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate the causes.
- An increased content of iron, which is in a bivalent or trivalent form, most often leads to yellowing. In the first case, the oxidation reaction can occur gradually. In this case, the water from the source comes clean. After settling, it changes color and taste, and a reddish sediment falls on the bottom of the container.
- A sand-clay mixture that comes from an aquifer can change not only the color, but also the composition of the water. These components may appear due to poor-quality sealing of seams at the joints of the rings or with insufficient depth of the shaft and indicate silting.
- If the well is dug in an area with peat bogs, substances formed in the process of microbiological decomposition of plant and animal residues can get into it. Tannin, humic acids and other microelements that form humus, dissolving, lead to the appearance of a yellowish tint. In this case, the intensity of the color depends on their number.
- Lack of proper protective cover makes source debris available. Atmospheric precipitation, dust, falling leaves, as well as dead insects, decomposing and dissolving, can color the water in any shades of yellow.
The reason for the change in the color of the liquid can be waste from industrial enterprises located near the source. In this case, the structure of the aquifer is disturbed, and it is impossible to predict the shade of the water.
Dangerous consequences
Yellow or rusty well water can be seasonal or year-round. But it is not safe to use it anyway.
- The presence of organic matter and debris is indicated by a musty odor and a specific aftertaste. These components make the composition bacteriologically seeded. The use leads to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, poisoning and infection.
- Problems caused by peat soils, as well as suspension of sand or clay do not entail any serious consequences. The only negative factor is unpleasant visual and taste sensations.
- Excessive amounts of iron are harmful to humans. Such a composition can not be used either for cooking or for sanitary and hygienic needs. Once in the body, it enters into a chemical reaction with elements important for life and forms compounds that are dangerous.
- The ingress of industrial effluents into drinking water can cause the development of any pathology, from allergic reactions to cancer.
It is impossible not to pay attention to the change in the color of the water. Using it even after boiling can cause irreparable harm to human health. Therefore, this task must be solved very quickly.
Ways to fight
It is impossible to determine the quality of the water in the source without taking samples and checking them in the laboratory. However, you can get rid of the rusty color and achieve the transparency of the liquid yourself.
- It is easiest to clean up yellowing caused by peat bogs and sand and sand suspensions. To do this, it is necessary to seal the seams between the rings, completely eliminating the likelihood of leakage. From the inside, they are covered with a sealant based on liquid glass, and a moisture-proof coating is applied on the outside. In addition, it is necessary to clean the bottom layer with the removal of all compounds that can cause discoloration.
- Iron removal in the presence of insoluble elements is not difficult to perform. To do this, a filter is installed at the outlet of the well in front of the pump, or a gravel pad is installed at the bottom of the source that can hold a large number of particles. If the volume of liquid used is small, you can achieve the desired result by settling. Soluble iron can only be removed by filtration or purification with forced aeration.
- If the water smells like hydrogen sulphide, it is necessary to clean the well by removing all the sludge that has formed there. After cleaning, the structure must be treated with ozone or hydrogen peroxide. This process can be dangerous, so it is better to entrust it to professionals.
There are many reasons for the appearance of yellow, so a thorough study of each specific case is required to solve the problem. Sometimes the color change is due to improperly installed pumping equipment. A machine too close to the bottom sucks in its particles. In this case, it is sufficient to reinstall the device.
Preventive measures
To prevent yellowing of the contents of the well, it is necessary to carry out an annual inspection to identify deformations of the water intake shaft and study the purity of the bottom.
If leaking joints are found, repair work must be performed, after which the inner surface of the walls must be disinfected.
To purify the water and reduce the bacteria content in it, it is necessary to drain the tank from time to time and treat it with a bleach solution. This element is dangerous to human health, therefore, the dosage of the composition used must comply with the SanPiN standards.
