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Cloudy, bubbles in water
Last Post 09-14-2010 06:31 AM by ChuckJ. 8 Replies.
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OldmanUser is Offline
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09-09-2010 06:24 AM
    After reading the post bhuddah made about his Hot Water Heater problem it made me think, at my cabin a couple of weeks back as I was making the morning coffee I noticed a cloudy, bubbly appearance in the water I had drawn off my shallow well water with a pump and bladder tank. This is on the cold side and I didn't ck. the Hot side at that time. I allowed the water to run for a couple of minutes and it cleared up. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now as I prepare to go up there again tonight or in the morning I'm thinking maybe it's time to have the water checked for contaminates. Air in the line??? Maybe a small leak at the pump has accured??? It doesn't loose it's prime so I doubt a leak. I have very good pressure. Again this is on the COLD side and I didn't ck. the HOT side so it's not coming from the Elec. 30gal. HWH as this is the cold water coming directly from the well pump. This has never happen before in the 45 yrs. I've own this cabin. Strange it is....do I have Gremlins in my well.

    Wishing all a good day and a better one tomorrow from central Mich. in the small town of Owosso
    gmaintUser is Offline
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    09-09-2010 06:54 AM
    Barry,

      Check your pump, since you said it was a shallow well is it an impeller style pump? If it is you might have some debris in the vanes.
    Gregg M (Seabeck, WA) 20+ years of fixin
    SWILEYUser is Offline
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    09-09-2010 07:22 AM
    The aquifer is always changing and as it changes the quality of water changes. Take a sample to your county extension office and have it tested.
    EZgoingUser is Offline
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    09-09-2010 01:33 PM
    Many areas are a bit short on rainfall this year.. and as a result, well pumps are pulling water from farther away and from deeper regions of the aquifer your water comes from.
     
    Dissolved oxygen is most likely the cause of your cloudy water.. Water that has been under fairly high pressures, is now being able to release it's oxygen content.. Actually, it's much the same thing when you open a soda bottle.. The Co2 is under pressure and when you open the cap, you release that pressure and the bubbles are then released..
     
    One thing you could check Barry, is to draw a fairly large container (tall glass etc..) of water, and put a plastic or paper cup over the top of it, to collect as much of this 'air' as possible..  Once the water is clear (all the air released), take the paper cup outside (covering the bottom to be sure to trap any collected air in the cup) and try to light it.. (being careful of course)..  You may want to try to collect the air from a few different glasses of water, just to be sure you have a fairly large air sample.  IF the trapped air in the cup burns, the issue is with methane.. also known as swamp gas in some areas.. and an issue that is quite common in many areas of the country. IF it doesn't burn, 99% chance it's just plain air or dissolved oxygen..  and nothing to worry about. 
     
    I just checked my FIL's water a few weeks ago for the exact same issue.. air showing up that wasn't there before..
     
    There are tests for measuring the dissolved oxygen level in water, but it has to be done on site by a trained person with the proper test kit..
     
    Getting your water tested every now and then is a very good idea for everyone - on a well especially..
     
    Here is a link to a home test kit that I actually was part of through the tool testing program here at Handy.. I was fairly impressed as to the accuracy of the results as I do have my water tested by a lab every 5 years or so.. which is not as often as recommended, but in my particular area, the aquifer is quite safe.
     
    http://www.h2okits.com/site/1286521/product/QC%20PRO-II%20Well%20Water%20Test%20Kit 
     
     
    Quality Check PRO-II Well Water Test Kit
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Here is another kit that would be a great way to start if you have never had your water professionally tested...
     
    http://www.h2okits.com/site/1286521/product/Total%20Water%20Quality%20Test%20Kit 
     
     
     
    Total Water Quality Test Kit - Test 15 Different Common Water Contaminants
     
    The tests are easy to do and you just need to be sure to read the instructions of each one BEFORE starting each test.. Most results will be either instant or within a few minutes.. The bacteria test takes 48 hours...
     
    Most likely, there is no problem here Barry.. but double check the burning of the air from the water, just to be sure..
     
    Hope this helps some...
     
    Ez
     
     
    Remember, there is no handyman problem that a judicious application of money can't fix. Bradford Co. Pa.

    craigUser is Offline
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    09-10-2010 05:31 AM
    Before you light the bag, set up a video camera so it's facing you.

    We'd like to see the look on your face if does turn out to be methane when we read the "What was I thinking" statement.

    Craig
    Navy veteran (July, 1980- August, 2007)

    OldmanUser is Offline
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    09-10-2010 07:33 AM
    Thanks EZ, I'll be having the water tested. I know the woman who does that for the county where the cabin is located. If her cost is to much I'll order one of the test kits you posted.
    Wishing all a good day and a better one tomorrow from central Mich. in the small town of Owosso
    EZgoingUser is Offline
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    09-10-2010 01:05 PM
    LOL Craig...
     
    Actually, since the bottom of the cup or bag or what ever is open, there is no possibility for any 'explosive' force.. It may 'puff' or just burn easily.. but it won't blow up like any sort of bomb..  I've done it many times.. No way for it to build up any pressure.
     
    A few parks I've run in the past had issues with methane in the water.. One, to the point that we had to install a methane removal system at the water plant.. 
     
    I always wanted to bottle it up and sell it back to the local gas company or heat the maintenance shop with it.. but left the company before that happened..  and now it's just released into the air..  what a waste!
     
    Ez
     
    Remember, there is no handyman problem that a judicious application of money can't fix. Bradford Co. Pa.

    DeweyUser is Offline
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    09-10-2010 01:13 PM
    and now it's just released into the air..


    Isn't that called a political speech when methane is released into the air?
    Anything worth dewing, is worth dewing well!
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    ChuckJUser is Offline
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    09-14-2010 06:31 AM
    I had cloudy water like you describe. As stated above, I was told by my plumber that is was air in the water. If the cloudiness disappears after a minute or so and the water looks clear with no sediment, it is just air. What is exactly in that air is a whole other question.
    Professional Jeweler - The guy who gets his hands dirty making jewelry, not the guy who wears a suit and sells jewelry. - - Washington, NJ
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