Usually, water from your water well should have no noticeable odor. A change in the smell is unpleasant and may mean that it's unsafe to drink. Sometimes, the cause can be hard to pin down. Below, learn why your water smells a certain way and what it could mean for your system. 

Rotten Egg, Sewage, or Earthy Odor

These smells are most likely due to bacteria. If you have a water softener, check some of the taps connected to the softener and some of the ones that aren't, such as the outdoor taps. If only the taps connected to the softener smell, then there's likely bacteria inside the unit. Since it is not in the water well, you'll need to disinfect the unit. If the smell comes from all the taps, try running your cold water for a minute, then your hot water. If your cold water smells normal, but the hot water smells foul, the water heater is the culprit.

Most often, the issue is the sacrificial anode rod inside the tank. It is designed to draw out the corrosive action of the water so that the tank itself will last longer. This system needs to be replaced about every five years. If all the water in your plumbing system smells, then the problem is in the water well or the groundwater surrounding it. To disinfect both the water and the equipment so that the bacteria won’t come back, you'll need a professional water well service to check the groundwater filtration.

Bleach or Medicine Odor

If you've just had a water treatment and your tap water smells of chlorine or other chemicals, you likely need to let the chemicals clear from the water system. Run the tap for a little while until the water smells clean again. If you smell chemicals and you haven’t had a recent water treatment, or if letting the water run doesn’t fix the issue, the well may be contaminated. 

Fuel Odor

If you can smell gas or petroleum in your water, it’s likely that the well has been contaminated by runoff, discharge from industrial sites, or a fuel tank buried near your property that has sprung a leak. It’s not safe to drink the water until the contamination has been cleaned up. This water can be hazardous if consumed, so call your well repair company immediately.

To have your water well cleaned and inspected, call Kuser Well Drilling in Roaring Branch, PA. Serving Canton and the surrounding areas for over 50 years, they service wells, pumps, tanks, and filtration systems. For a free estimate, call (570) 673-8189 or visit their website for more information.