The Top Well Water Problems and How to Solve Them

Having a well on your property has a number of advantages, including saving money and even tasting better. However, there are a few common well water problems in Tampa, FL that every homeowner should be aware of. Continue reading to learn what these problems are and how they can be resolved.

Hard water

Dissolved magnesium and calcium leads to a phenomenon known as hard water, and it affects 85 percent of American households. Symptoms of hard water include ruined clothing, dry skin, low water pressure, scale buildup on faucets, spots on dishes and stained sinks and tubs. Hard water also makes appliances less effective and shortens their lifespan. Luckily, preventing hard water is as easy as installing a water softener at your home.

Acidic water

Acid rainfall, runoff from mining operations and plant decomposition can drop the water’s pH level below 7.0, which means the water is technically acidic. Acidic water leaves rust stains in sinks, causes pinhole leaks in pipes and corrodes faucets. Since acidic water causes so many problems for your plumbing and fixtures, it’s crucial that you get it sorted out right away. To correct acidic water in your well, you can install an acidic neutralizing filter or get soda ash injections into the well to raise the pH level.

Fluoride

Fluoride occurs naturally in well water, but we recommend testing for it to ensure the level isn’t too high. The EPA’s recommended fluoride level is 0.7 mg/L—anything over that could be a problem. Too much fluoride in the water won’t ruin your clothes or faucets, but it could stain your teeth and cause dental fluorosis. Install a reverse osmosis water filter to solve this issue.

Hydrogen sulfide

Another one of the common well water problems in Tampa, FL is hydrogen sulfide in the well. Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable gas that can enter the water when organic matter decomposes, if bacteria enters the well or when chemical reactions occur with the anode rods in hot water heaters.

If your well water has hydrogen sulfide in it, the water will smell or taste like rotten eggs, and it can stain your clothes and bathroom fixtures. Hydrogen sulfide can be corrosive, damaging pipes and allowing plumbing metals to get into your drinking water. To solve this issue, replace your anode rods, disinfect the well to reduce bacteria and install an automatic chlorination and filtration system at your home.

Fecal bacteria

Animal or human waste getting into your well water is a huge concern, primarily because it can contain E. coli or other illness-causing bacteria. It can get into your water through cracks in the well walls, agricultural runoff or overflowing septic systems. Shocking the well water with chlorine will kill any existing bacteria, but we also recommend adding a point-of-entry water filtration system to prevent any bacteria from reproducing.

Call our team to address your well problem

Regardless of the common well water problems in Tampa, FL you’re experiencing, Advanced Pump & Well Service is the team to set things straight. From inspections to repairs or even new well drilling, we can tackle all of your well needs! Give us a call today to get a quote for your project.

Categorised in: Well Repair