Well water stink

[OzarkMan]

We are on a 12 home shared well. Water availability hasn't been an issue but the stink has been terrible. I have a huge three cartridge filtration system (Manor) under the house. (3' encapsulated crawlspace) I replaced the "citrus softener" filter cartridge with a second carbon filter but no luck. The Manor filter is supposed to soften the water of which is not my priority over the odor. Smells like sulphur and can be nauseating. The community gets the water tested for safety every year. In fact, they came and tested my water at the outside faucet and it was safe. Not sure what I can do. Imagine brushing your teeth with what I can best describe as cow *** odor. Should I plumb in a chlorinator or something? Have any of you gone through this with some kind of solution?

 

[larry4406]

Both hot and cold stink? Or just hot?

If just hot, might be the anode rod reacting with the water chemistry.

Ask for a copy of the water chemistry results. Then talk with a water expert.

 

[OzarkMan]

Both sides. I mention this since When I wash the truck, it's just nauseating. We haven't had much rain so not sure if the water table is low

 

[kbeefy]

I had a similar issue with my private well.
I don't know if it's right, but I dumped some bleach into the well and circulated it for a while, then purged all my lines.
It smelled like a swimming pool for a while, then it didn't smell for about 3 months, then it started smelling again.

Mine was never to cow *** level, just mildly stinky eggs.

 

[OzarkMan]

Yeah, that is why I was wondering of there is some kind of chlorinating system I can install where the water comes in pre-filter

I can't dump any cleaner into the well head as it's not mine! That said, we do own the corner 3 acre lot that has its own well. We were going to build a barndominium but fear the prices are just not worth it. We want to remain debt free. I would have to sell this place and rent while we build but that's nearly impossible with my wife's 87y/0 father in law living with us.

 

[yatg]

Sounds like hydrogen sulfide.
Get it tested to be sure.
Once had a property with a mild case of it.
Various ways to combat it depending on the level of contamination.

Did you ask your other neighbors on the well what they are doing or is everybody just living with it?

 

[PCustoms]

Step 1: full test. The "safe to drink" test is probably just hitting a few bacteria (i.e. ***** coliform) and a couple minerals.

Iron bacteria, sulfur etc. potentially have different treatments.

Very odd that only you have the issue though, have you smelled anyone else water?

 

[4xdog]

Likely a biofilm of SRBs (sulfate reducing bacteria) someplace in your system.

“Reducing” in the chemical sense of adding electrons to an atom rather than the more common sense of lowering.

SRBs are an ancient and common class of bacteria — billions of years old — that “breathe” sulfates and similar sulfur compounds and produce hydrogen sulfide (a bad smelling gas — rotten eggs) as the byproduct of cellular respiration. They’re anaerobic — they can’t survive in oxygen atmospheres.

Do your neighbors have the same problem? Is it on all your water systems or just the hot water? That can help isolate where the SRBs might be colonized, assuming that’s the root cause.

My home on one leg of the hot water has an occasional smell of H2S in my guest BR shower. I haven’t yet figured how to get a sanitizing solution into that run of pipe.

 

[MichaelP]

I'm not exactly sure I understood what type of filters you have, but are you aware of sulfur (a.k.a. iron) filtration systems where you have a ~5' high tank filled with media (a.k.a. green sand birm)? The birm gets back washed automatically, and you periodically feed it with 10% hydrogen peroxide (or Clorox) solution.

Here are a couple of examples: https://midatlanticwater.net/produc...10aio-2-5-cubic-foot-13-54-with-katalox-light
https://www.culliganprowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Sulfur-Cleer-Angle_web.jpg.webp (I personally, don't like this particular model: it's unreliable. But its predessesor with no electronic control is very good)

If you filter out particles before water gets into the iron filter, you may need to have the birm professionally cleaned only once in 20-25 years if the water pressure gets low. And make sure your iron/sulfur filter has a large inlet. I have 1" one in iron filter and water softener. Otherwise, you'll have problem with water pressure in your house, esp., when the birm or, to a lesser degree, softener ion-exchange media become partially clogged.

I have Sulfur-Cleen unit installed before the softener tank, and it's very effective. I also have a large Big Blue cartrige mechanical filter put in-line before them to remove particles from well water before it enters the iron filter. I use 25µm 20"-long string wound cartridge and replace it once a year. Don't use fine ones: they'll need very frequent replacements. And we have a lot or iron in our well water. Alternatively, you can use the second, a bit finer, mechanical filter installed after the first one, but it will give you more headaches with maintenance.

 

[rocksnstumps]

Our well had sulfur water as a kid. That well was safe to drink. Just had funny smell u sorta got used to. For drinking water we set a jug of well water out on counter and a day or two later as H2S evaporated put in fridge to keep cold. That water was fine then. Fact way better tasting then the townie over chlorinated **** at school.

Current well has iron bacteria problem that contributes to an egg smell. I don't really like drinking it, buy bottled water to drink. An RO and carbon filter is connected at kitchen tap to cook with but tastes kinda "flat" so that is why bottled water

Agree with others, get it tested. Different reasons for egg smell and will find different solutions.

 

[BurtEggley]

Sulfur Water Filters - Remove Hydrogen Sulfide for Clean Water

At US Water Systems, we have decades of experience in removing sulfur from water, and we can recommend the best filter system for your needs. When it comes to choosing a whole house sulfur water filter, oxidation followed by carbon filtration is a very effective option. Our systems use hydrogen...

uswatersystems.com

 

[BillK]

Yeah, that is why I was wondering of there is some kind of chlorinating system I can install where the water comes in pre-filter

That is just going to introduce chlorine smell. I dont think it will get rid of the sulfur.

Like somebody else has asked are you the only one or do your neighbors also have the sulfur odor ?

I would take a water sample and have it checked yourself. I think I have seen test kits at Home Depot

 

[30-30remchester]

I grew up in the country, and we had a sulfur well also. After taking a shower it smelled like the dog did his outdoors business in the bathroom. To make matters worse, my father was a well driller and he made 9 attempts to get past the sulfur water. One well was over 1500' and still nasty.

 

[OzarkMan]

My next door neighbor says her water stinks. The neighbor across the street doesnt really know if his smells bad but he's the one who takes care of the well. Not sure if it is the pipeline on my side of the street? 3" white PVC is what they ran for the community in 1994. The glued couplings tend to break. Usually one or two a year which requires digging by a plumbing company. My filter housing is clear on the sediment. Doesnt look bad. Slight tinge of brown.
I believe this well is at 550'

 

[BurtEggley]

there are articles on how to deal with it. The solutions appear to be a filtration system that introduces surplus oxygen into the water, which combines with the H2 in the H2S and frees the sulfur to be filtered out. It also allows the iron to sediment out so it can be filtered. I don't think it will be a DIY $29 fix. You are limited by the chemistry of the situation.

 

[jhelrey]

Your carbon filter isn't the filter you should be using. You should be using a woven. A carbon filter is for filtering out chlorine.

 

[MovingAlong]

Look into aeration and a holding tank to allow for off-gassing. Sulfur from a deep well is common in Florida. There are mitigation systems to be had. Might call a few companies down there too.

But if the first and only opportunity for the water to aerate and off-gas is during your morning shower - yeah, it's going to smell...

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Several things.

Hydrogen sulfide can be a product of iron eating bacteria in the well. Shocking the well on a regular schedule may minimize or eliminate the odor.

It can also be present in the ground or produced away from the well where you can’t shock it. In this case, a green sand filter or a green sand alternative will get rid of it. It works similarly to a softener, in that the filter bed is washed every few days. Combining the filter with aeration will make it work better. I installed my own system for around $1500 a few years ago.

 

[BurtEggley]

sounds like the cost, solution, and maintanence should be shared by all 12 homes rather than each home paying for an expensive system. Maybe the guy who has the responsibility should step up to manage it, and get some bids.

 

[OzarkMan]

sounds like the cost, solution, and maintanence should be shared by all 12 homes rather than each home paying for an expensive system. Maybe the guy who has the responsibility should step up to manage it, and get some bids.

yeah, I already brought up the last meeting (Once a year) that the treasury for the water system only had $3800 in the bank. I suggested a $200 a year per house emergency fund. I mean if the well takes a ****, it won't be $1000 to fix. Each time a coupling breaks it costs the hoa $1800. Some of the residents weren't too keen on the increase but at the end of the day, We all share the same well and if it shits the bed we all will have to pay up. Most of the people are good. I think there are 3 residences that kind of balked. I brought up the smelly water but since not everyone seems to think the water smells, its left up to me and my own home to deal with.

 

[MichaelP]

I've never heard of a multi-house filter, but if it exists (mini-water treatment plant?), it will, probably, cost much more than 12 single units. This is besides the problem of providing a heated location for it.

WIll be interesting to see if it's available at all.

 

[OzarkMan]

Your carbon filter isn't the filter you should be using. You should be using a woven. A carbon filter is for filtering out chlorine.

There is a woven. I just replaced the softener cartridge with a second carbon as an experiment. (not working at least)

 

[OzarkMan]

Sulfur Water Filters - Remove Hydrogen Sulfide for Clean Water

At US Water Systems, we have decades of experience in removing sulfur from water, and we can recommend the best filter system for your needs. When it comes to choosing a whole house sulfur water filter, oxidation followed by carbon filtration is a very effective option. Our systems use hydrogen...

uswatersystems.com

I don't know where I would stick this thing. Hate that the filters and UV thing is in the crawlspace. I don't want to deal with getting under the house when I get older. But I appreciate the link. Definitely something I need to consider.

 

[MichaelP]

re: "There is a woven. I just replaced the softener cartridge with a second carbon as an experiment. (not working at least)"

Are you talking about those 1-ft long cartridge filters? None of them is designed for sulfur/iron removal, and all of them are grossly insufficient to serve whole house. The only whole house filter that looks like this (but about twice larger) is the mechanical (string wound) one I mentioned above.

Whole house filter (be it a softener, activated carbon or the green sand iron/sulfur filter) has a size of a large welding gas tank. Those tiny cartridges may serve one faucet for a short amount of time, but not the whole house.

 

[58Yeoman]

I'm not exactly sure I understood what type of filters you have, but are you aware of sulfur (a.k.a. iron) filtration systems where you have a ~5' high tank filled with media (a.k.a. green sand birm)? The birm gets back washed automatically, and you periodically feed it with 10% hydrogen peroxide (or Clorox) solution.

Here are a couple of examples: https://midatlanticwater.net/produc...10aio-2-5-cubic-foot-13-54-with-katalox-light
https://www.culliganprowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Sulfur-Cleer-Angle_web.jpg.webp (I personally, don't like this particular model: it's not reliable. But its predessesor with no electronic control is very good)

Once in 20-25 years you may need to have the birm professionally cleaned if the water pressure gets low. And make sure your iron/sulfur filter has a large inlet. I have 1" one. Otherwise, you'll have problem with water pressure in your house, esp., when the birm becomes partially clogged.

I have Sulfur-Cleen unit installed before the softener tank, and it's very effective. I also have a large Big Blue cartrige mechanical filter put before them to simply remove particles from well water. I use 20µm string woven cartridge and replace it once a year. Don't use fine ones: they'll need very frequent replacements. We have a lot or iron in our well water.

Can you post a picture of your system? I've got a water softener, but the slimey iron still gets through.

 

[MichaelP]

Sure. Water comes from the well into the house, goes into the pressure tank, then through the mechanical 20"-long Big Blue filter (25 micron string wound cartridge). As you can see, I have ball valves and pressure gauges on the input and output sides of the filter. Then water goes through the iron filter, goes into the water softener and then feeds the house.

Pressure gauges help to assess how clogged the mechanical filter cartridge is (turn on a faucet and see the pressure difference between the gauges). The ball valves are to close water when I'm changing the cartridge.

If I'd do it again, I'd position the Big Blue filter at my head or chest level with an opportunity to stay close to it: the filter housing is full of water when you uncrew it and therefore is quite heavy (not excessively, but I'm not a 30-y.o. man any longer to hold weight in my hands extended forward). I'd also install a filter bypass piping/valve, so that my faucets remain functional to clean the crud accumulated in the filter housing. It would also be helpful for filter leaks and other filter problems if I don't want to interrupt water supply to the house while I'm fixing the issue or waiting for filter housing replacement. And a tip: use a good silicone gasket lubricant on the o-ring and threads when you reassemble the housing. There is a wrench for the housing too (I don't remember if it was sold separately, but you need it).

On the photos, standing on the floor (left to right) you can see blue pressure tank, then water softener cylinder next to it, then iron filter (the highest cylinder) and, finally, brine tank for the softener. The Big Blue mechanical filter is on the wall. Next to the iron filter tank you can see a 1 gal container for 10% hydrogen peroxide that I use, maybe, every 2 months or so (as soon as metallic or sulfuric odor starts returning). The iron filter grabs and pushes the solution through the birm automatically during cleaning cycle.

 

[pcmeiners]

Shocking the well on a regular schedule may minimize or eliminate the odor.

It will start rusting your casing if it is steel, if done on a regular basis. Look into Katalox light and an activated charcoal filter. Not the filters that fit under your sink, but the large tanks. I have a large pre-filter, (2) 10x54" Katalox light tanks and (2) 10x54" activated charcoal tanks, no iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, or heavy metals get past them.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

It will start rusting your casing if it is steel, if done on a regular basis. Look into Katalox light and an activated charcoal filter. Not the filters that fit under your sink, but the large tanks. I have a large pre-filter, (2) 10x54" Katalox light tanks and (2) 10x54" activated charcoal tanks, no iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, or heavy metals get past them.

Katalox is effectively the same as green sand. Both are manganese dioxide coatings on a substrate and do the same thing.

 

[pcmeiners]

If greensand was as good Katalox light I would have purchased a green sand filter but it is not.

"Katalox Light is generally considered superior to traditional Greensand for residential water treatment due to its higher manganese dioxide content, lighter weight requiring less backwash water, and ability to operate without chemical regeneration (like potassium permanganate) when paired with air injection. While Greensand (specifically Greensand Plus) is reliable, it requires more maintenance, including regular chemical regeneration to maintain its oxidation capacity. "

Not only is the lighter weight of Katalox light important to less back washing but many wells do not have the flow volume to properly backwash green sand.

Good info source....

Terry Love Plumbing Advice & Remodel DIY & Professional Forum

Terry Love Plumbing Advice, Remodel DIY & Professional Forum. The best plumbing forums in the USA and Canada. A place for home owners to ask questions and for professionals to share information.

terrylove.com

 

[OzarkMan]

Just to reiterate, I do not have access to the well head as it is part of a 12 home shared well. The filter system I have is made by Manor. It has three elements with them being about 2' tall maybe more each. It is a huge filter set. I did have the iron test done and that came back negative. All pipework in the community is 3" PVC . The pipes in the house are a mix of Pex with copper. I do have a UV sanitizer as well and it is to the right of the filters in the pic. I think the sulphur treatment system might be my only answer unless we get consistent rains. It's been dry in Ozark for the last year and a half with an occasional dump of rain. Water had no odor when we moved in.

 

[PCustoms]

Water test....

Odds are "mechanical" filtration is not going to fix your issue

 

[dcg9381]

Not sure what I can do. Imagine brushing your teeth with what I can best describe as cow *** odor. Should I plumb in a chlorinator or something? Have any of you gone through this with some kind of solution?

Cow *** odor, eg. hydrogen sulfide gas - or rotten eggs?
Common by-product in wells and organics.

To treat well water you have to know what is IN well water. That means you spend $100-$200 for an independent and decent lab test.
Likely you've got off-gassing. And once it's in things like your hot water heater, you've got to treat the whole system. We could treat the smell, but you still don't know what's in the water.

Do your neighbors have the same problem? You generally treat hydrogen sulfide by chlorination. It could be a one-time deal, on a cycle, or on-going.

"Just to reiterate, I do not have access to the well head as it is part of a 12 home shared well."

You're part of a co-op. Members have access. Someone maintains that well.
You CAN treat it at your home, and do it that way.. Totally possible. But it starts the same way, with a water test.
Typical treatments are on-going chlorination, aeration systems, or oxidizing filters... but we gotta know what is in there to get it right.

UV does nothing for odors / offgassing (I have it).

Short term cheap solution would be to inject 1 gallon of bleach into your water system and flush it, especially on the hot water side (water heater), but this is just a short term abatement if the well itself is producing hydrogen sulfide.

 

[robin1731]

Yeah, that is why I was wondering of there is some kind of chlorinating system I can install where the water comes in pre-filter

I can't dump any cleaner into the well head as it's not mine! That said, we do own the corner 3 acre lot that has its own well. We were going to build a barndominium but fear the prices are just not worth it. We want to remain debt free. I would have to sell this place and rent while we build but that's nearly impossible with my wife's 87y/0 father in law living with us.

Wouldn't that be your father? Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[NUTTSGT]

How is the well on the other corner lot ? I think I would take a serious look at checking it out for a viable option.

 

[OzarkMan]

How is the well on the other corner lot ? I think I would take a serious look at checking it out for a viable option.

I never tried to test it. There used to be a farm house that was torn down. I would have to bring my generator over there and power it up. Not sure where the exit is to the water pipe but I am sure it would squirt out somewhere! I might get to it sooner than later. Been working on the garage. New doors went in yesterday and epoxy goes in Monday. Touching up paint on walls and ceiling. I chose not to do the epoxy this time due to the cracks and dirty concrete. $3200 was the price for gray fleck, grind, patch, coat and seal. 625sq ft.

 

[OzarkMan]

Wouldn't that be your father? Maybe I'm missing something.

Sorry mean to say wife's father and leave it at that! So used to saying father in law....

 

[NUTTSGT]

I never tried to test it. There used to be a farm house that was torn down. I would have to bring my generator over there and power it up. Not sure where the exit is to the water pipe but I am sure it would squirt out somewhere! I might get to it sooner than later. Been working on the garage. New doors went in yesterday and epoxy goes in Monday. Touching up paint on walls and ceiling. I chose not to do the epoxy this time due to the cracks and dirty concrete. $3200 was the price for gray fleck, grind, patch, coat and seal. 625sq ft.

If this is an old well, it may not be feasible to use.

Is there a well head? Is it a shallow or deep well ? If it's shallow, is it hand dug ? What is the water output of the well or pump ? What is the age/condition of the pump ? Those are questions you need to find the answers to, in order to use this well along with a water test.

BTW, if it is a shallow well, there may have been a pump in the farmhouse basement along with e pressure tank. That would all be gone now.

 

[joe_padavano]

Where I live this is normal. I use a chlorine injection pump to kill the smell, a big charcoal filter to take out the chlorine, and a water softener (with iron-out salt) to soften the water. I put that system in over 25 years ago and it's done it's job.

 

[OzarkMan]

If this is an old well, it may not be feasible to use.

Is there a well head? Is it a shallow or deep well ? If it's shallow, is it hand dug ? What is the water output of the well or pump ? What is the age/condition of the pump ? Those are questions you need to find the answers to, in order to use this well along with a water test.

BTW, if it is a shallow well, there may have been a pump in the farmhouse basement along with e pressure tank. That would all be gone now.

We never bothered to do anything with it until it was time to build. With money getting tight, we may just sell the lot as it is. I can't that well for my current house since that lot is one house away and I doubt I can get an easement through my neighbors property. It does have a well head and from the paperwork that I can remember is dug down to 250'. It was installed about 10 years ago and hasn't been used in 5 years.

 

[OzarkMan]

I wanted to update this thread. For a recap, we live in a 12 home community with a shared well. They had a water test done and it comes back as one of the best for Southwest Missouri. No chemicals, no bacteria, and no iron deposits.
What I did was remove the three elements out of the filter housing and try running without. Turned out the problem was the carbon filter creating the sulphur odor. The other two had a stink as well but within an hour, all three elements were odor free as they drip dried in the shower. For now I will remove the filter system and pipe it straight. There is an inline UV sanitizer that is still working. To say that I am thrilled about brushing my teeth without the water stinking up the bathroom is an understatement! Not sure what the science is to the filters harboring the odors. The carbon unit has been in service for about three months. Water flow never faltered.