people who know about wells and well water...?

Question

and any bad thing that can happen with it.HELP!!! my water smells foul...I've looked all over the net for answers,the closest I come to is "rotten egg" smell-what i have is way past that- it smells putrid.can you tell me what you think it is-do you think the whole "shock chrolonation" thing will do the trick?
thanx

so... i put a whole house carbon filter in and it is still disgustingly gross smelling.the water ISdrinkable but I will NEVER!!!! but I have to take a shower and gosh y'all I dread taking them cuz of the smell!now what?

Answer 1

I do know that well water supplies can get contaminated easily do to them usually not being inspected regularly. Since this is so closely related to your health I think you should ask professionals. Your local water or health department may offer some free service, they may not, but its worth knowing weather your water is bad.

Also, are you sure its not your drains that smell and not your water. Cause my bathroom drain reaks bad. I don't know what to do about either problem though.

Answer 2

If you have an open well head (rare these days), or had the cover removed for some reason, then something could have gotten in it and died. If that's the case, then the bleach shock should do the trick.

If it is sulphur, then a carbon filter will work well. I prefer a whole house filter to treat all the water myself, and is what I normally install for clients. If the water is particularly dirty, then I will go with a double cartridge system, or 2 whole house filters. The first stage will be a sedimentary filter, to remove dirt, sand, etc... the second filter will be charcoal to help remove rust, sulphur, etc... this one helps improve the taste and smell.

You can purchase a test kit at most of the larger building supply stores now.. or you can get a kit from your local county health department. They usually charge around $10 at the county to test the water.

Good Luck

Answer 3

You have a large amount of sulfur in your well water. If you can find someone in the well business or water systems, call them to come out and give you a cost to install a filter system on the line from the pressure tank to your home. Find out what they say, but I think a filter system is far better that putting chemicals down into your well every few months or when needed to eliminate the smell.

Answer 4

I was in Indiana for a while and the water there is terrible. You may have sulfur. A water softener and filter will help that. It won't hurt to dump a gallon of Clorox in your well, circulate the chlorinated water throughout your system and let it set for 24 hours before flushing your pipes. If coliform is present in your well, it will take care of that problem. It won't do anything for the sulfur. Steve Z has a point about having the water checked for safety.

Answer 5

The county, the ones that I know of, have an office for this, usually connected with the health office. I would try this first, they may have a program that can help you.

I have, in my time, cleaned many wells and, have had it done. There are many home remedies that will scare you, don't listen to anyone except a professional. You can ruin your supply of drinking water for life.

Answer 6

Probably you have sulfer in the water - have the same. It's safe to drink - but smells. You can fix this with a carbon whole house filter - or a conditioner. Before doing this - I would have it checked to make sure it is safe to drink etc..

Answer 7

You get on the phone to the county extension agent and have them check your well. There are some bacteria that can kill you dead. I have lived with a foul well and that is what we did. They can tell you what needs to be done to restore your well.

Answer 8

Its not worth the risk to guess..Have your water tested at a professional lab.