If you’ve got brown well water, chances are there’s an underlying problem with your water source. Brown water can be caused by a number of things, including sediment in the water, high iron levels, or manganese. While it might not be harmful to drink brown well water, it can cause staining on laundry and fixtures and make your water taste unpleasant.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to fix common well water problems. If sediment is the issue, you can install a whole-house filter or a sediment filter on your well pump. If high iron levels are to blame, an oxidizing filter can remove the iron from your water. And if manganese is the problem, a manganese Greensand filter can do the trick.
Got Brown Well Water – Here’s Why and How To Fix
If you’re not sure what’s causing your brown well water, it’s always best to consult with a water treatment professional to get to the bottom of the problem. In the meantime, read on to learn more about some common well water problems and how to fix them.
You Should Get a Water Test
If you’ve got brown well water, the first thing you should do is get your water tested. A water test will tell you what’s in your water and how high the levels of each contaminant are. Once you know what’s causing your brown water, you can take steps to remove it.
You might be able to get your water tested for free through your local health department or water utility. If not, you can always hire a professional to do the testing for you.
Common Well Water Issues
1. Sediment in Your Water
One of the most common causes of brown well water is sediment in the water. When there’s sediment in your water, it can make the water look brown or cloudy. It can also cause your water to taste bad and smell unpleasant.
Sediment in your water can come from a number of sources, including rust, dirt, sand, and clay. It can also come from organic matter like algae or bacteria. Sediment can enter your water through cracks in your well casing or faulty seals around your pipes.
2. Iron in Your Water
Another common cause of brown well water is high iron levels. When there’s too much iron in your water, it can give your water a metallic taste and make it look yellow, orange, or brown. Iron can also stain your laundry and fixtures.
Too much iron in your water is usually the result of corrosion in your pipes. As water flows through your pipes, the iron in the water can interact with the metal of your pipes and cause them to corrode. This can lead to high iron levels in your water.
3. Manganese in Your Water
Manganese is a mineral that’s often found in well water. While small amounts of manganese are not harmful, high levels of manganese can give your water a brown or black color. It can also cause your water to have a bad taste and smell unpleasant.
Manganese can enter your water through cracks in your well casing or pipes. It can also come from the decomposition of organic matter in your water.
4. Bacteria in Your Water
Bacteria is another common cause of brown well water. While most bacteria are not harmful, some types of bacteria can cause illness. When there are bacteria in your water, it can make your water look cloudy or brown. It can also cause your water to have a bad taste and smell unpleasant.
Bacteria can enter your water through cracks in your well casing or pipes. It can also come from the decomposition of organic matter in your water.
5. Algae in Your Water
Algae is a type of plant that commonly grows in ponds and lakes. While algae are not harmful, they can give your water a green or brown color. It can also cause your water to have a bad taste and smell unpleasant.
Algae can enter your water through cracks in your well casing or pipes. It can also come from the decomposition of organic matter in your water.
6. Rust in Your Water
Rust is another common cause of brown well water. When there’s rust in your water, it can give your water a reddish or brown color. It can also cause your water to have a metallic taste and smell unpleasant.
Rust in your water is usually the result of corrosion in your pipes. As water flows through your pipes, the iron in the water can interact with the metal of your pipes and cause them to corrode. This can lead to high levels of rust in your water.
7. Dirt in Your Water
Dirt is another common cause of brown well water. When there’s dirt in your water, it can make the water look cloudy or brown. It can also cause your water to have a bad taste and smell unpleasant.
Dirt in your water can come from a number of sources, including rust, dirt, sand, and clay. It can also come from organic matter like algae or bacteria. Sediment can enter your water through cracks in your well casing or faulty seals around your pipes.
If you suspect that your water is contaminated, it’s important to have it tested by a professional. There’s no greater peace of mind than knowing your water is safe to consume by having a professional inspect and test your water.