I have well water and would like to know why it smells so bad? I have changed the filter, used iron out?

Question

I have changed the filter, used iron out, have filled the salt well in the water softner, i even had a new water heater installed last week, the smell is so foul i feel like i am taking a shower with dirty water?

Answer 1

Does it smell like sulfur - like when you light a match?

Animals have been know to fall into wells - usually just snakes and frogs.

Dump some clorine bleach into it (a quart or a bit more per 1000 gallons) and see if that helps.

Have you sent a sample for testing first?
Check with your county heath agency or agriculture department (if you are in an agricultural areas) and they will test it.
The health deparment can also condemn it - if it's bad enough.

There are also private labs that will test it.

The do-it-yourself kits usually test for about 8 common things.
They are OK, but expensive and may not test for what you have.

To take a sample, let the cold water run for about 3 minutes, and then fill a clean baggie or jar with around a cup of water.
Keep cold until you can take/send it in.

Answer 2

I concur with rocketman... sulphur is likely the culprit. Are you in Texas or areas prone to sulphur problems. One thing you can do is submit a water sample with your county extension agent (usually the state dept. of agriculture or health and environment can do this). This can help eliminate other nastier things that do more than make water smell. Pollution of groundwater is a problem in a lot of areas now, play it safe and test it soon.

Answer 3

your well is probably sittin next to a sulfer line, if it has a rotton egg smell then thats why. If it sulfer not much that i know of u can do about it, its not harmful, but i understand. My buddy Reg has the same problem at their place.

Answer 4

you might have an abundance of sulfur and iron in your water causing you to need a water treatment system.

Answer 5

Sulphur?