Sand In Our Well Water

There are a few disadvantages to living on an island, the major ones being sewage disposal and availability of adequate fresh water. On small islands there is usually no central sewage system so every residence has its own septic system. On our island these range from ordinary single tank septic systems to sophisticated newer sand filter or mound systems, but because so much of the island's soil is hardpan these septic systems need vigilant upkeep or we risk polluting the sea around us. Our county is only now recognizing the need for regular inspections, having faced up to current pollution, and beginning next year we will all be required to have annual inspections.

As for water, there are hundreds of individual and community wells relying on the one island aquifer about which no one knows the capacity or how quickly it recharges. Even the island hydrologist doesn't know. One thing we do know is that our deeply forested topography is advantageous to the aquifer, and as the island is logged off most of the rainwater that would naturally recharge the aquifer runs off into the sea, taking topsoil with it and eventually causing land slides. We know also that the further south you go on the island the more salt water intrusion there is, and once you have salt water mixing with fresh water you're in trouble.

Our property had two sources of water now because, although we'd drilled our own well due to the time constraints relating to improvements the water association was required to make, we still belonged to the association and were entitled to connect to their water. We retained membership primarily because as members we were also entitled to beach rights on the beach front lot the association owned below us.

It wasn't too long after we moved in before we noticed sand in our water. We noticed it in the dishwasher, in the washing machine and in the toilet tanks eventually, where it collected to about 1/4". We called Sarah, our builder, who called the well driller. They came out and suggested we install a water filter, which we did. Then the filter started clogging up and we complained again. Oddly enough, we'd had the same problem with a new house we'd lived in in the Midwest, and the problem was finally solved by drilling the well deeper. Well drillers hate to admit they haven't gone deep enough, for it cuts into their profit. They can't charge extra after they've as much as guaranteed you a pure and adequate water supply for which you've already paid, but we put our collective feet down and they drilled down another 50 or so feet. This appeared to solve the problem, but to be honest, we still have small amounts of sand every once in awhile, but nothing like before. So it's good to know we have another supply of water if it eventually becomes necessary. And so far the community well has no salt water intrusion.