Odor and Color Problems
Remember to test your water regularly
If the water you use on a regular basis is coming from a well, you may experience problems with its taste and odor. The color and odor of the water may indicate which contaminants are present; however, you will most likely need to have your water tested in order to determine exactly which contaminants need to be removed.
Below you will find a list of common characteristics associated with poor taste and odor of your water. Beside each characteristic you will find the likely cause of the problem in order to help you better understand the best approaches to take.
- Your well water has a “rotten egg” smell. If you find yourself in this situation you will want to consider a hydrogen sulfide and methane analysis.
- Your dishes and fixtures are becoming stained with red. This may indicate the presence of iron.
- Your water has a moldy smell to it. This may be an indication that you need to have your bacteria level analyzed.
- Your water is leaving dark brown or black stains on dishes and clothing. This may be an indication the presence of manganese.
If your water falls under the category of any of the characteristics listed above, you should definitely have it tested. The tests will not only indicate if there are contaminants but will also indicate if the contaminants are exceeding their recommended levels.
It is also possible to have color and odor problems with your water which do not pose any risk to your health.
You can also treat many problems related to your well water through the use of more conventional water filtration methods. These would include all the processes and filter types that we profile under home water filtering and described under methods of water filtration and purification.
