Water in its most natural and pristine form is colorless, tasteless and odorless. However, due to the imperfections of nature, contamination and degrading supply lines, water often needs treatment to become suitable for consumption. Proper filtration along with a regularly tested water well system can be the difference in clean, pure water and water that is discolored and contains sediments that can destroy plumbing, appliances and clothes.
Should You Filter Your Well Water?
Absolutely!
Don’t take for granted the importance of proper well water filtration! Not only does filtering well water help prevent you from consuming harmful contaminants, it can improve the quality of the water you use, increasing the life of your appliances, plumbing, and clothes.
In addition to pollutants that sometimes find their way into the water supply, certain elements and minerals naturally present in ground water can alter the taste, smell and color of your well water. This can make cooking and bathing less than enjoyable for your family and guests. Without proper filtering, your well water can even permanently stain your sinks, toilets and bathtubs.
Commonly Occurring Issues with Well Water
Untreated or unfiltered water can cause problems in many ways from poor taste to causing illness. Below are some common issues well owners face.
Taste & Odor
Water that smells or tastes bad can be caused by a number of factors:
- Rotten Egg Odor - Can be caused by naturally occurring sulfides or sulfates, known as hydrogen sulfide, created by dissolving minerals, gases and oil. In high concentrations, the odor can cling to hair and clothing washed in the untreated water.
- Musty or Earthy Taste and Smell – Causes by decaying vegetation typically present from algae blooms. Usually not a cause for toxicity concerns, but can be undesirable for cooking and drinking.
- Metallic Taste – The presence of minerals like zinc, iron, manganese, and copper in your water supply can lead to a metallic taste. Manganese and iron are often naturally present in well water. Copper and zinc are often caused be degrading copper plumbing and water supply systems.
Contamination
Health issues are a huge cause for concern when it comes to well water. Improperly treated wells can easily become breeding grounds for E. Coli and other bacteria and viruses. Any well located near agriculture, livestock or septic tanks must take extra precaution to prevent contamination. Fecal matter and nitrates from fertilizers can leech into the water table causing stomach problems and other illnesses.
Residue & Buildup
Hard water is caused by calcium and magnesium are naturally present in the water supply. After being heated, water containing these elements will leave traces of “scale.” This is a buildup of the dissolved minerals that can damage plumbing and hot water using appliances. Buildup can develop within pipes and drains, reducing water flow. Residue can be found on clothes and dishes.
Costly appliance and plumbing repairs can be avoided with proper water treatment and filtration.
Stains
Low pH balance in the water supply can lead to erosion of copper pipes and porcelain. Often the “eaten” away material will leave stains of a blue-green coloring. This can be almost impossible to remove once a stain has set in.
Mineral stains occur from water with higher levels of manganese and iron. Clothes, fixtures and even hair color can be affected by high concentrations.
Decaying plant material can lead to tannins in the water supply, leading to yellowing of clothes and plumbing.
Color & Cloudiness
A variety of factors can be at fault for cloudy or off-colored water:
- Rusty Coloring – Presence of minerals like iron and manganese.
- Yellow Coloring – Tannins from decaying vegetation, often occurring near the coast or swampy regions.
- Cloudy or Grayish – Dissolved solids in the water supply lead to cloudy water, called “turbidity.” The sediment in the water can range from clay to dirt and silt. If storms or heavy construction has been present in your area, it’s possible that your water has been affected. Compromised wells with damaged walls and filter screens can lead to debris in your water supply. Even clear water may contain dissolved particles that are undetected by your eyes.
How Does a Well Water Filtration System Work?
A water filtration system will filter chlorine, iron, mercury and other contaminants from your water supply. Filtration can even help with hard water by removing the calcium and magnesium that can be found by ion exchange. Hard water that passes through the filter's resin bed will exchange hard ions with soft ions, leaving only softened water to enter the home.
Enjoy cooking, bathing and drinking with water made pure by a professionally installed well pump and well water filtration system.
