Sediment is made up of small particles—often fine dirt or dust—that settle out into the bottom of your glass. It’s one of the most common water quality issues we see in both private wells and city water supplies.

This fine dirt clogs refrigerator filters, makes tap water look unappealing, and can leave your water tasting like earth. If your water isn’t clear, you’re probably not drinking it—and we don’t blame you.

Sediment can also accumulate in your appliances and plumbing. Toilet tanks may not seal properly with mud on the bottom, ice makers will produce cloudy cubes, and your laundry may never feel truly clean. If the sediment load is high enough, even cooking becomes an issue—you might find yourself reaching for bottled water just to boil pasta.

Some private wells naturally produce sediment, especially after rainfall or changes in the water table. In cities, sediment can come from aging pipes or work being done on municipal water lines that stir up rust, scale, or silt.

Glacial Till: A Special Case of Sediment

In parts of the Pacific Northwest and other glaciated regions, some private wells deal with a more unusual type of sediment: glacial till, also known as glacial flour or rock flour.

This substance is created by the grinding action of glaciers and consists of ultra-fine particles—so small they remain suspended in water indefinitely. If you’re on a private well and your water looks cloudy but never settles, glacial till could be the culprit.

How to Spot Glacial Till

Try this simple test: Fill a clear glass with water and hold it up to a bright light. If glacial till is present:

• The water may look cloudy or milky.
• You might notice a swirling effect—almost like boiling clouds.
• Even after sitting overnight, the particles won’t settle to the bottom.

Why It's Hard to Filter

Glacial till particles are incredibly small (sub-micron) and carry a like electrical charge, which causes them to repel each other and remain suspended. Standard sediment filters won’t catch them because the particles are smaller than 0.02 microns.

The Right Solution

The most effective way to remove glacial till is with an ultrafiltration membrane system. These systems are specifically designed to filter water at the molecular level, giving you crystal-clear results even with this unique type of sediment.

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