Common Issues With Well Water

Installing a private well on the property ensures a nearly endless supply of clean and safe water for the household, free of cost.

Installing a private well on the property ensures a nearly endless supply of clean and safe water for the household, free of cost. However, well water is not free of issues. Water quality issues like discoloration and foul smell indicate that all is not perfect with the water well.

The well water problem can be a nuisance and a health risk. These issues can vary depending on the water in a specific area.

Here are the most common well water issues that owners can encounter:

Sediment

Sediment refers to suspended particles in the water, including dirt, rust, minerals, sand, and silt. High sediment levels in the well water can occur due to drilling, runoff, and other similar earth disturbances or poor well design. Sediments, known as turbidity, can cause the water to turn cloudy, dirty, hazy, or muddy brown. High sediment levels in the water can alter its look and taste, increase the risk of water-borne diseases, and damage the parts of water-using appliances.

Fluoride

Fluoride is found in varying amounts in natural water and is good for dental health. The EPA recommends a fluoride level of 0.7mg/L, beyond which it can prove hazardous when consumed regularly. Well water can have a higher amount of fluoride, which can cause dental fluorosis, characterized by white or brown teeth stains, especially in children, and skeletal fluorosis, which can result in bone issues like pain, tenderness, and increased risk of fractures.

Iron and manganese

Iron and manganese are minerals found naturally in soil and can dissolve in groundwater. While iron and manganese do not make water unsafe to drink, they are problematic for the home. High iron and manganese levels can cause stains on clothes, cutlery, fixtures, metallic-tasting water, cloudy or orange water, and black or gray stains.

Hard water

Hard water is another common well water problem. Hard water has a high volume of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. Hard water issues affect 85% of the U.S. population. The location of the well determines the hardness of its water. Some common signs of hard water supply from the well include scale build-up on faucets, appliances, and pipes, faded and rough clothes, spotty dishes and glassware, dry and flaky skin, and low water pressure.

Bacteria

Disease-causing bacteria can contaminate well water and result in various hazardous diseases. Fecal bacteria like E. coli from human and animal waste can infiltrate the well water through agricultural runoff, cracks, and overflowing sewer tanks. Foul odor, headaches, fatigue, and gastrointestinal illness are some signs of fecal bacteria in well water.

Acidic water

pH levels below seven mean that the well water is acidic. Acid rain, low TDS levels, plant decomposition, and mining activities can lower the pH levels of well water. Common problems associated with acidic water include metal pipes corrosion, metallic-tasting water, pinhole leaks in plumbing, and blue-green stains on appliances and fixtures.

Hydrogen sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide is a natural gas that may generate a rotten egg smell in the well water. It also encourages sulfate-reducing bacteria growth, which can corrode metal plumbing.

Safeguard the well water

Contact a local well expert if you encounter any of the problems discussed above. Professionals can recommend the best solutions to restore the proper and safe water supply.

Fussell Well Drilling is a family-owned top-quality well drilling and water treatment company for residential and commercial properties in Polk County. Call us today (863) 984-3144