What causes black sediment in well water?

I have a drilled well about 60 feet deep which produces 30+ gpm.

I use the well for irrigation during the summer and the water is crystal clear.

During the winter I draw about 10 gallons a day to water animals and have a black sediment in the water which seems to clear up when more water is drawn.

I have a 120 gallon expansion tank in a heated area on the system.

What causes the sediment?

Brad
 
it could be manganese sediment in the well, or if its a brown black kind of slimy stuff, it could be a manganese bacteria.
 
I agree with Glennster, probably manganese, but it could also be sulfur, does the water smell of rotten eggs?
 
Hello johnlobb,

Manganese yes sulfur no. It would not only smell like boiled eggs, but it would be yellow,

Guido.
 
Brad,Do you have a storage tank with a bladder in it?If it does how old is it?It could be from the rubber bladder deterioration.
 
I sometimes have that problem. It is due to algae growth. I put a cup of bleach in the well and it clears up.
 
Chlorine will deteriorate the rubber bladder on your pressure tank if the chlorine content is to high over time will have a premature bladder failure. It will also attack the flapper in toilet tank and the rubber gasket on bottom of your float or ballcock assembly. I suspect yours is in the well itself, but thought I would through that out.
 

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