Why does my well water smell?

Question

My water has been fine for 3 years (new home/well), but now it has started to smell bad. What is the problem and how can I fix it?

Answer 1

You have sulfur in your water and you need a potassium permanganate water filter to remove the smell..also if you have a electric hot water heater you will have to take the anode out of it.....i have seen many new wells do this and it is because some of the water in the water table has started coming from a sulfur vein ..there is nothing you do about this but filter the water...

Answer 2

Well Water Smells Bad

Answer 3

Most well water comes from underground aquifers which hold the water in porous earth/rock deep underground. Aquifers come in at least two kinds - ones which are continuously replenished by the rainwater which seeps into them, and those which have been around for a very long time and do not get replenished. If you have one which is being replenished, items such as nearby building work could have contaminated it, high farming activity could impact it, or any receny heavy rain could have swept something nasty into the aquifer reservoir. If it's not getting replenished (or you are removing water faster than it can replenish), you may start sucking in water from an area where the water has not been filtered properly by the rocks.
My first thought would be to ask a few questions - what does the water small like (sewage/bad egg smell - could be hydrogen sulphide)? Has there been any recent building work in the vicinity or extreme weather (that could have contaminated the supply)? This may help with the cause, but definitely get it tested by the local environmental health department - to get a smell means there is some chemical contaminating the supply which probably means it isn't good for you!!!!

Answer 4

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It's the well water for sure. As a permanent solution, you would have to install a water softening/conditioning system. I bought one at Lowe's and had a plumber install it. It costs around $300, and then the plumber's bill. I put it off and put it off, and ever since I did it---I'm SO much happier with all the water in the house! I wish I had done it sooner. I know it's a pain in the neck to spend the money, but the problem is sulphur. I actually had to move once because my daughter (age 7 at the time) used to gag in the shower w/ the water smell.....it didn't bother me much. Such water will pass inspection, but not the nose test. Good luck and sorry.

Answer 5

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RE:
Why does my well water smell?
My water has been fine for 3 years (new home/well), but now it has started to smell bad. What is the problem and how can I fix it?

Answer 6

forget the pipes answer, the problem is probably a sulfer bed. the only reason i can think this happened is the water level has risen so that your domestic water is now pooled in a layer of sulfer. if this is the case the only way short of drilling a new well is to drop the water table, no small feat. however a good charcoal filter system may help, and probably is only needed on the appliances you drink from, could be a point of use filter under your sink

Answer 7

I agree with Jollyarr... also if you have a dug well there could be dead snakes in the bottom. Sounds gross but it does happen. We have a dug well and once a year we take off the cover and dump about 1 quart of bleach down it to kill off any bacteria that could be growing. We then have to let the water run for awhile to get it through the pipes. We just can't wash any dark colored clothing for a couple of days because of the bleach.

Answer 8

My well water use to smell like Sulfer and my Kids had to hold their nose just to brush their teeth, the water smelled so bad. I installed a Culligan to get rid of the bad odors and clean the water. You can buy cheaper Water Filtration units to fit on your Kitchen faucet for drinking water purposes.

Answer 9

If it is well water you need a filter pump the house should have one you must change the salt in the filter tank since your getting well water you have Iron and sufur in the water under ground go to lowes they sell the salt you need for the filter tank this will clean up your water and smell

Answer 10

i will work on part of your problem. if the water smells like rotten eggs, then you have sulfer water. happens. you can call a water softener man and have him check it, sometimes they can help. i have had sulfur water for years, one thing, sulfur water makes good coffee,. and it wont hurt anything except smell. i kave never had a problem with my water heater from sulfur water, and it was there for 20 yrs. if it smells like anything else, then have it tested , should do it anyhow. l got to like it after awhile.