Not sure if this plays a role... But, we had a tornado this past April. Many of our huge trees derooted (one right next to our well). Initially, all faucets spurted water for some time. Also, cold water halted. Then, shortly afte we noticed brown toilet basins, shower stall and well water smell in the shower (never had that before). Then, last night, while no water was running, we heard what sounded like our copper pipes clanging, and our kitchen sink sputtered a couple of times. Now, our lower level toilet, which is a power flusher, barely flushed, and didn't refill.

We had what is probably a 40-year old, shallow (50 foot) well. We live on a smaller lake, and our well is about 50-75 feet from the lake. Could this be a bad sign of our well drying up? Please say "no"! Any obvious, inexpensive, do-it-yourself easy fix ideas/solutions?

Thank you for whatever help you can offer!

Wells usually cost an arm and a leg to properly drill. Yes, it does sound like the tornado did something to your well and being only 50' deep does have something to do with it. You will probably be calling out a well driller soon to redrill your well.

The pipes in the ground could have been cracked or torn apart by the tornado as well. If that is the case they need to be replaced as well.

There is no quick doit yourself fix for this well, sorry.

This is just what we were fearing... Thank you for your reply!

Well, I will have to disagree with Twink on this one. It sounds more like the uprooting of the trees broke or cracked the well pipe. All depends on the type of pump you have. When the pump is running the line between the well and the house could be leaking. When the pump shuts off water and dirt from the leak could be being sucked back in to the pipe and down the well. You need a well man or at least a plumber familiar with wells to inspect. Don't think it would be the well itself. Don't know of any trees that have roots that go down 50 feet. An expense but not a catastrophe. You will probably have to clean all the valves which are now clogged with dirt.

Is that lake good water? If so, why not just pump from there? Do you own it?

I wouldn't think a tornado would damage a well. Earthquake probably would. High winds shifting the pump/piping even an inch or two could cause trouble.

Thank you to all!!