I am having issues with my well. It is a two inch well that is
approximately 35 feet deep and has a jet pump. The well was drilled in
1965. The well head is buried. I have been told by the previous owner
that the foot valve and well pipe were replaced sometime around 2007.
I suspect that the foot valve is as low as it can go. I have had two
main issues:

1) For the last several months, I have been getting air in the system.
Just very short burst when I turn on the faucets or shower. After a
heavy rain last week, the problem is significantly less. I have never
run out of water or had the pressure drop to an unusable pressure. Our
household of three people average a total of 1 shower, 1 wash load, 1
dishwasher load a day plus the usual toilet flushing. No outside water
usage.

2) After a heavy rain the water will be cloudly (more redish) for a
day or two. I am in NC with that nice reddish soil.

So far, I have tried the following:

1) I ran the shower until the pump kicks on at 38 psi. The pump will
restore the pressue to the cutoff pressure of 58 at the rate of 1 psi
per minute (20 minutes total). The shower draws 2 gpm. If I try the
test with the other shower ( 1 GPM) the pressure increases at 2 psi
per minute. This seems to indicate that the well yield is marginal.

2) I closed the shutoff valve to the house and monitor the pressure at
the bladder tank, There was no drop in pressure. I assume this
indicates the foot valve is good and there are no holes in the pipe.

3) I had a pump tech out and he stated that the pump and bladder are
okay. He recommended opening the well and surging the well to try to
improve the yield. A $1000+ job. It seem this might help if the water
level is dropping low enough to air in but doesn't address the
sediment issue.

4) I have discussed this with two well drillers. They both stated that
surging the well could 1) cause more problems and 2) be a waste of
money. They think the sediment could be from a hole in the casing or a
failing seal where the casing meets the bedrock. Either way, they
claim that surface water could be entering the well and recommended a
new well (Not surprising. They are drillers.). They both feel that the
system mechanicals (bladder, pump, jet, foot valve and pipes) were
working properly. They felt that opening the well would have little to
no benifit. I tend to believe them.

Any thoughts? I am looking into a new well. In my area, most new wells
are 6 inch drilled to 200-300 feet. Needless to say, this is not
cheap. The property will also make running the pipe difficult and
expensive. I would just like a feeling if what I am being told makes
sense.

Thanks for any help.