Recurring Shallow Well Clogging: Causes and Solutions

A homeowner with a shallow irrigation well experienced declining flow every 3–4 weeks, requiring manual flushing with household water to restore performance. The well point, a 2" PVC pipe with a screen at 28 feet, appeared to be plugging with fine sand. The user asked for a permanent fix.

Frequent clogging suggests the well screen is too close to the bottom or the formation is producing excessive fines. Options include raising the suction intake 1–2 feet above the static water level, installing an inline sand separator after the pump, or upgrading to a properly screened and developed well. Cheesecloth or pantyhose over the intake is a temporary hack that clogs quickly. An automatic flush valve tied to the irrigation controller could automate cleaning, but a correctly designed well with a gravel pack and proper screen slot size is the lasting solution.