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Common Well Water Problems
The table below is presented to help you identify common well water problems. For further information, visit www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/signs.html for EPA’s Signs of Common Water Quality Problems.
| Visual Problems | Cause |
|---|---|
| Scale or scum | Calcium or Magnesium Salts |
| Turbid water | Dirt, clay salts, silt or rust |
| Green stains on fixtures | High acidity |
| Brown-red stains on fixtures, clothing | Dissolved iron |
| Cloudy water that clears upon standing | Poorly working pumps or problems with filters |
| Taste Problems | Cause |
|---|---|
| Salty or brackish | High sodium |
| Alkali or soapy taste | Dissolved alkaline minerals |
| Metallic taste | Acidity or high iron content |
| Chemical | Chemicals or pesticides |
| Smell Problems | Cause |
|---|---|
| Rotten egg odor | Dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas or sulfur reducing bacteria |
| Detergent odor or foaming water | Seepage from septic tanks |
| Gasoline or oil smell | Leaking gasoline storage tanks |
| Methane gas or earthy / musty | Decaying organic matter |
| Chlorine | Excessive chlorination |
Well Disinfection
Disinfection may reduce or eliminate bacteria and viruses. Disinfection will not correct chemical contamination such as inorganics (nitrate, sulfate), pesticides, herbicides, metals or volatile organics.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002, Drinking Water from Household Wells: EPA 816-K-02-003.
Note: Presence of many contaminants such as bacteria, metals, nitrate, radon and chemicals can only be detected through laboratory analysis.
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