smelly well water

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by afrost

have not tested the water, but will be calling the lab to chat.
smell comes from both hot & cold side.
i've looked online. apparently there are some sulphur producing bugs. it may be a groundwater leak or just some new source down below. a charcoal filter may take care of it, if the ppm is low enough.

Testing should be priority on your list. This will tell you where your problem is.

[klott]

Originally Posted by afrost

not seasonal. why?

I have a bored well and there is an Oak tree root that grew thru the casing, in the fall when the sap recedes back down to the roots to keep from freezing and damage the tree, it causes an odor. It usually peaks in November then tapers off. After I found out what was going on, I visited many of my neighbors Wells, I could shine a bright light down and see the tree roots also. I had water tested many times and tried every thing I could to no avail, just learned to live with it.

[klott]

The chlorine will evaporate in three days.

[dplummer]

I had a reverse osmosis, ultra violet & water softener installed. Fixed all of my problems. I test my well regularly & results always come back good. Doug

[klott]

It's no wonder Doug, you're D Plummer!

[Joe Farsetta]

Testing is the first step. Bugs should not be in the well, unless you are not using a sanitary cap. The casing goes down only so far, but at 212 feet, I doubt that fecal coliform is entering, unless you have a septic tank and a hole or crack in the well casing. Near-surface water can enter throgh a crack or hole.

In any event, start with well water testing. If it is sulfer-related, there are other treatments available which are somewhat less expensive, I believe.

Do not play with this, though. Get it tested!

[James E. Braun, CMI]

A client of mine was pregnant and had a miscarriage because of bacteria in water. Whenever somebody complains about a constant belly ache, it is usually bacteria in water.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Start with a call to the county health department. They may be able to suggest what you should test for because it could be one of many contaminants...

• Bacteria, Viruses and Cysts: Not typically a problem in municipally-treated water, some types may cause serious health issues even at low levels and can be an issue in well water. These contaminants include e-coli, giardia and cryptosporidium and are often associated with human and animal waste.
• Pesticides, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Detergents: Found inboth municipal water supplies and well water, this group is huge and growing. Many are not tested for, have not been studied and no provision exists to remove them from drinking water.
• Heavy Metals: Most often found in wells, heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and copper can accumulate in the human body and represent a significant health concern in certain areas.

• Nitrates (NO3):Typically present near agricultural communities and found in both municipally-treated and well water, Nitrates represent a health hazard to humans. They interfere with the transfer of oxygen in the human bloodstream and are considered to be a prime source of blue baby syndrome.
• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S): Recognized by its “rotten egg” smell, hydrogen sulfide is not typically an issue in water treated by municipalities, but can be found in well water. H2S can cause the following issues…
  • may cause migraine headaches even at low levels.
  • may stain silverware and household plumbing fixtures or items.
  • may indicate other contaminants requiring treatment.
• pH (acidity/alkalinity): pH is not a contaminant but can effect water quality by influencing the impact of other contaminants present in water which may effect water’s potable or corrosive properties.
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): TDS levels reflect the levels of non-H2O in water which can affect its potability, aesthetics and taste. TSD levels also are used as indicators by water treatment specialists. It is considered a contaminant at levels above 500 parts per million (ppm).
• Calcium Bicarbonate (CaCo3) and Magnesium Bicarbonate (MgMo3): determine water hardness. Although not strictly contaminants, excessively hard water (water with high levels of either of these compounds) can have significant effects on home systems or components such as the following…
  • Appliances such as water heaters may experience build-up which effects their efficient operation and shortens their lifespan.
  • Hard water causes build-up in showers and tubs and spots on kitchenware.
  • Experts are divided concerning the effects of hard water on the human body.
• Iron (Fe): can cause a number of problems, depending on the type of iron present…
  • Ferrous Iron: Although it’s clear when dissolved in water (typical state) ferrous iron turns yellow or reddish brown when exposed to air.
  • Ferric Iron: found as particles in water which settle to the bottom of containers and oxidize to orange or red.
  • Organic Iron: Seldom found in municipally-treated water, may give well water a yellowish color, stain laundry or produce poor taste or odor in drinking water.
  • Iron Bacteria: Iron-eating bacteria give water a gelatinous or scummy appearance.

[afrost]

i thank you all for your responses. it looks like - testing testing 1,2,3

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by grusk

If you have sulfur in your well water you can use an Air Induction Filter System to remove the sulfur, I had one installed in my home about 2 years ago from AQUA SYSTEMS works good. http://www.ilovemywater.com/
They run about $1500.00.


Gary
http://www.hsspropertyinspection.com/

Gary, I've never heard of an Air Induction Filter System for water and didn't see it on that site. It didn't show up with Google. Do you have a direct link? How does inducing air into the system remove sulphur?

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by kshepard

Gary, I've never heard of an Air Induction Filter System for water and didn't see it on that site. It didn't show up with Google. Do you have a direct link? How does inducing air into the system remove sulphur?

Kenton,

It's right here...but you can read more about the air induction through another firm, here.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Kenton,

It's right here...but you can read more about the air induction through another firm, here.

Originally Posted by dvalley

Kenton,

It's right here...but you can read more about the air induction through another firm, here.

Ah-HA. Thanks Gary and David.