Nearly 30% of Michigan homes receive their water from private wells. That’s over one million households! While there are many benefits to private wells — including no monthly water bill and independence from municipal water providers — owning a private well also comes with its own unique challenges.
Since well water is sourced right from the ground, it’s thought to taste fresher and contain more minerals. However, those extra minerals can cause extra problems. Plus, since there is no outside entity regularly testing the quality of your water, your well water can become contaminated. If you own a private well, here are three common water issues to keep an eye out for, and some tips for how to prevent them!
Red or Brown Water → Iron
If you have well water and see red, brown, or yellow water flowing from your tap, it could be a sign that you have iron in your water. Iron is a naturally occurring mineral, and some areas of Michigan are known to have higher levels of iron in groundwater. Private well owners are more likely to see red water after periods of heavy rainfall.
Rest assured – red water might be gross, but it is not usually hazardous to your health. It may have an off-putting metallic taste, making it unpleasant to drink or cook with. If you continue to consume red water, you may develop nausea or other stomach issues. Water with excess iron will also stain pipes, appliances, fixtures, and any clothes washed in it. If left untreated, red water can leave iron deposits inside your home’s plumbing, leading to mineral build-up. Untreated iron buildup can also introduce iron bacteria into your home’s plumbing. These bacteria feed on iron to survive and leave behind a slimy biofilm and a moldy smell.
If you are a private well owner with red water, you will need a whole home water purification system to help treat the excess iron. It’s important to note that boiling water will not remove iron from your home’s water. Wolverine Water’s Iron Breaker with Ozone whole home water treatment has specialized filters designed to treat iron and iron bacteria.
Smelly Water → Sulfur
We don’t mean to stick our noses in your business, but if your tap water smells, it’s likely a sign that you have bacteria growing. It’s not you, we promise. Organic matter plus the moisture and low light conditions of a water system provide ideal conditions for bacterial growth, like the iron bacteria mentioned above. These bacteria can produce Hydrogen sulfide gas, aka “sewer gas,” which is trapped in your water as it moves through your plumbing system and released once you turn on the tap.
While the rotten egg smell may be disgusting, the good news is that it’s usually harmless to your health.
You can try using some drain cleaner, but if the problem persists, you will likely require a professional’s support. Many electric water heaters contain a magnesium corrosion control rod that converts natural sulfates found in your water into smelly hydrogen sulfide gas. If you notice that only your hot water produces this smell, the likely culprit is your water heater. If both hot water and cold water fail the water glass test, the issue is likely deep in your water source, and you may need to call in some well water experts to help you disinfect your entire system.
Installing and maintaining a whole home water system can help your home’s tap water stay fresh and odorless. Our Iron Breaker with Ozone purification system removes iron, iron bacteria, sulfur, and other minerals and bacteria that cause stinky water.
Unseen Culprits → Outside Contaminants
Since well water comes directly from the ground beneath your home, it is not treated or decontaminated. You are responsible for regular testing to ensure the safety and purity of your home’s water supply. Well water can become contaminated by run-off from a nearby farm or factory, a ruptured sewer line, commercial dumping, nearby abandoned properties, and other sources.
Well water owners should test their home’s water once a year and after major floods or weather events. Make sure you and your family are not unknowingly drinking water contaminated with microorganisms, nitrates, arsenic, or other heavy metals, as these can cause serious health problems.
In the case of outside contamination, the Wolverine Water team recommends a specialized system. We will test your home’s water to understand which contaminants are present, and then create a custom system. Our Iron Breaker, Blue Line, and Arsenic Removal systems can all be customized to help ensure that your private well water is clean, pure, and free from contaminants.
If you have a private well and are concerned about your home’s water quality, give us a call (800.589.8507) or send us a message. Our team would love to help you!
