Ye ole well water stank

[brokenknee]

One other possibility for the smell in your water would be the anode rod in your water heater. The smell will bleed over to your cold water. I had that happen at my last place and the water heater was only a couple of years old. I pulled the anode rod and cut it off and reinstalled the plug.

I know the anode rod it to protect the water heater, however I figured if the first one went bad in just a couple of years so would the next one. Sold the house about three years after that without further problems.

 

[gtrippleb]

My water has smelled bad for a few years now and like you've found, it looks like it's due to managanese/iron in the water. I don't know what your filter system setup is but I went with a 3 filter system like this. Previous to installing this system I had a whole house string filter that I used in conjuction with a water softner and another filter system. I could usually tell when it was time to change the string filter as the smell would be very strong. After installing this three filter system, I could tell right away the difference in the feel of the water. I also didn't have any smell either. Like BrokenKnee said, it's possible that the anode rod in your water heater has been compromised. My next step is to replace the anode and totally drain the water heater now that I've cleaned the water as I know that there is stuff in the bottom of the water heater that could possibly cause some issues. If I notice that the smell comes back, I'll more than likely look at adding air to the system.

I'm not really suggesting this specific system as it's on the pricey side, but I would look at the type of filters the system is using. These filters are used specifically for the reduction of Iron, Manganese and Sulfur which gives you your smell.

Home Master Water Filter - HMF3SdgFeC-Water-Filtration-Sediment


1st Stage Filter, dual gradient depth polypropylene sediment filter. 25 micron surface, 1 micron inner core, designed for purity with bacterial and chemical resistance, two separate filter layers for enhanced filter performance, triple the dirt holding capacity of similar sized cartridges, typical life cycle 6, 12 months depending on usage and sediment quantity.

CFdgd2501-20BB-Gradient-Sediment-Replacement-Water

2nd Stage Filter - Radial Flow Iron, Manganese and Sulfur Reduction Filter, Radial Flow design provides excellent iron reduction with minimal pressure drop (<1 psi pressure drop), Easily and effectively reduces Iron, Manganese and Sulfur in water up to 3ppm , Reduces possibility of pipe and water heater damage, Lifecycle based upon iron level.

Cfrffe-20BB-Reducing-Replacement-Water

3rd Stage Filter, Radial flow granular activated coconut shell carbon , Chlorine, chemicals, taste, and odor removal

CFrfgac20-20BB-Radial-Replacement-Water

Thanks,
Greg

 

[stuckmotor]

Is there any way a mouse could have fallen into the well and drowned? This happened to me twice.

 

[JamesHW]

Up in the country we have always enjoyed very nice, good tasting water from a 20 foot deep point beside the house (the entire property seems to have water at that level judging from the springs coming out of hillsides here and there). At least all summers except for one year in the early 60's when the water took on a kind of off taste. Back then the pump filled a cistern under a shed beside the house (the cistern is still there with the old hand pump). They dragged the cover off and there was a dead groundhog slowly decomposing in the cool water. I think that was the year they sunk a new point (in the basement) which lasted until the 90's when that point got clogged and we moved it a few yards outside into the yard beside the house. Neighbors not far away have deep wells and have to have their water treated.

 

[YesDeere]

I don't think anything could have gotten in it. When the mailman smashed it I covered it and sealed it right away. I have a pretty good system for iron treatment. Jair not the added pieces needed for the sulphur. I will take pics when I get a chance.

No time at all right now. Just had a new child (2nd) and getting ready to start a new job. I went ahead and got the water delivery service for drinking water.


Now this will make you guys laugh but it works. We have an old well point at the hunting place. This is lowland iron rich territory. Not for drinking. But we needed water for a bunch of trees we planted. It wasn't pumping much at all.

Old guy we know swears if you shoot a .22 down the hole it will be like a new well.

Out of options I gave it a try. With a .38. Well. It worked. I pumped for almost 4 hours and it was some clear clear water.

 

[aczlan]

Now this will make you guys laugh but it works. We have an old well point at the hunting place. This is lowland iron rich territory. Not for drinking. But we needed water for a bunch of trees we planted. It wasn't pumping much at all.
Old guy we know swears if you shoot a .22 down the hole it will be like a new well.
Out of options I gave it a try. With a .38. Well. It worked. I pumped for almost 4 hours and it was some clear clear water.

Sounds like you were doing some hydrofracking...

Aaron Z

 

[teejk]

I don't think anything could have gotten in it. When the mailman smashed it I covered it and sealed it right away. I have a pretty good system for iron treatment. Jair not the added pieces needed for the sulphur. I will take pics when I get a chance.

No time at all right now. Just had a new child (2nd) and getting ready to start a new job. I went ahead and got the water delivery service for drinking water.


Now this will make you guys laugh but it works. We have an old well point at the hunting place. This is lowland iron rich territory. Not for drinking. But we needed water for a bunch of trees we planted. It wasn't pumping much at all.

Old guy we know swears if you shoot a .22 down the hole it will be like a new well.

Out of options I gave it a try. With a .38. Well. It worked. I pumped for almost 4 hours and it was some clear clear water.

"Shooting" is a tried and true method on sand points in iron country that don't get used much. Don't over do it though because there is a screen on the bottom of the point. The bullet breaks up the accumulated sediments. A .22 was always the preferred weapon of choice. Nice to have an outside faucet to get rid of the crap you have just disturbed. Your shallow well pump may need a new impellor but they are cheap. And I'd suggest safety glasses.

 

[Firemanbuck]

Typically, water softeners will only treat a few ppm of iron or manganese - and yes, the black residue sounds like manganese. Higher concentrations usually require a green sand filter for adequate treatment, but they won't remove the smell. Until you get it figured out, try using a combination filter cartridge that has activated carbon. It should remove the smell.

Other issues worth considering are well depth, distance to surface water, distance to other possible sources of contamination like livestock areas or septic systems. Any construction on your property recently? What about the neighbors?

Buck

 

[Firemanbuck]

"Shooting" is a tried and true method on sand points in iron country that don't get used much. Don't over do it though because there is a screen on the bottom of the point. The bullet breaks up the accumulated sediments. A .22 was always the preferred weapon of choice. Nice to have an outside faucet to get rid of the crap you have just disturbed. Your shallow well pump may need a new impellor but they are cheap. And I'd suggest safety glasses.

Not sure I want to intentionally introduce lead particles into my well. Given the right water conditions (pH) the lead will dissolve into your drinking water.

 

[teejk]

Not sure I want to intentionally introduce lead particles into my well. Given the right water conditions (pH) the lead will dissolve into your drinking water.

Yeah...but not much. Btw, where does lead come from to begin with?