dirt in my well water

[billbenbow]

i am in the process of purchasing an home with a well. the house was built in 1971 and i believe the well is the original. the house has set vacant for over a year. i turned the water on today and the water came on brown. never really cleared up completly even after 30 minutes. i connected a hose to the spikot at the pressure tank. the water would start to clear until the pressure at the tank dropped until it kick the pump on and the water would go back to brown with major dirt deposits until the pressure started to drop and it would go from brown to very cloudy. we have also had a lot of rain lately. is this normal?? will it go away??
bill

[speedbump]

What you are seeing is probably mineral deposits not dirt. Have the water tested and have a Licensed Water Well Contractor come out and inspect the system and give you an idea of what you have and what you can expect in the way of repairs and/or how long before you may need to make repairs.

bob...

[Gary Slusser]

I think you're seeing evidence of iron, and maybe a buildup in the drop pipe and plumbing in from the well breaking off with the flow from the pump. Then it quits when the pump is off.

Get your water tested for iron, hardness, pH and Coliform bacteria at least and post the results.

[sammyhydro11]

It sounds like you have a lot of iron build up in your holding tank as well. I come across this often especially with old tanks. I would keep cycling the system from the holding tank until it clears up. Don't take the analysis until it clears. You dont want to sample anything that has accumulated in the holding tank but the actual mineral deposits from the water bearing formation in the ground.

Sammy

[Gary Slusser]

It's rare for dirt to come out of a bladder type tank unless you drain them. I drain and flush them to get all the dirt out.