Well Water Contaminants: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

Approximately 15% of households in the United States rely on private wells for their water supply. Unlike city water, which is treated by municipalities following standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), well water must be maintained by homeowners. While homeowners have complete control over how they treat their water, they are also responsible for ensuring it is safe to consume. So, how safe is well water? When properly cared for, well water can be very reliable. However, all water sources, including private wells, are susceptible to contaminants. Homeowners need to understand potential well water contaminants, be familiar with signs of contamination, and know how to address these issues. 

What Is In Well Water?

Well water can contain several different contaminants ranging from harmless to harmful. These impurities often come from natural sources, human activities, or the environment. While some of these substances might only affect plumbing fixtures, others can pose significant health risks in the short and long term. Some common well contaminants include: 

• Microorganisms: Bacteria, viruses, and parasites like E. coli, norovirus, giardia, and cryptosporidium are found on surfaces and in water around the world. They’re also commonly found in human and animal waste. Ingesting microorganisms can cause mild or severe gastrointestinal illness. 
• Sediment and particulate matter: Sand, silt, and other particles can make water appear cloudy or clog pipes and fixtures. These contaminants are easily visible and may also affect water taste and odor. 
• Chemicals: Pesticides, herbicides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can enter well water sources from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, or household products. Consuming water with high levels of these chemicals can contribute to liver, kidney, nervous system, circulatory system, and reproductive system damage. 
• Heavy metals: Lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals may occur naturally in underground deposits or enter wells through industrial activities. These metals pose serious health risks when consumed, including liver, kidney, and intestinal damage, anemia, and cancer. 
• Minerals: Calcium, magnesium, iron, sulfur, manganese, and fluoride are naturally occurring. They dissolve into groundwater as it passes through soil and rock layers. While these minerals are generally beneficial to human health, some of them contribute to hard water. Hard water causes limescale buildup in plumbing fixtures and appliances, which can clog pipes, leave behind unsightly stains, and dry out skin or hair. 
• Radionuclides: Radioactive forms of uranium and radium may be present in well water due to natural deposits or human activities like nuclear power production or mining operations. Even in small doses, these pollutants can cause kidney damage and increase the risk of cancer. 
• Nitrates and nitrites: These compounds occur naturally in the body. They can also infiltrate wells from fertilizer and waste contaminants through runoff or leaching. High levels of nitrates and nitrites can cause “blue baby syndrome” in infants, which occurs when the blood doesn’t have enough oxygen. 

Contaminated Well Water Symptoms

Contaminated well water often presents noticeable signs, though some issues might not be immediately visible. Recognizing these signs early can help prevent health risks and damage to your home’s water system. Some indicators include: 

• Visible sediment like dirt, silt, or sand 
• Cloudy or murky water from sediment, organic matter, or microorganisms
• Oily, greasy sheen on water from organic impurities or chemicals 
• Brown, black, or red-colored discoloration and stains on laundry or surfaces that come into contact with water 
• Rotten egg or chemical odors from water 
• Metallic, salty, or soapy tastes from water 
• Frequent gastrointestinal issues, reoccurring illnesses, or other unexplained health problems

Water Test and Survey

How to Fix Contaminated Well Water

Well water quality depends on a few different factors, including the type of well installed, the location of the well, and how the well is maintained. Filtration and treatment options also play a large role. Testing water is the first critical step in identifying whether or not well contaminants are present. Kind Water offers a simple, at-home water test and survey kit. After collecting and sending in the sample, we’ll provide you with certified lab results and a custom water treatment recommendation based on those findings. 

Learn how to test your well water at home.

Kind Water offers a full range of well water products to combat many common contaminants. Depending on your water quality and the impurities present in your water, we recommend the following solutions. 

Our Whole House Iron/Carbon Filter/Salt-Based Water Softener with UV is specifically designed for well water with high iron content. This six-stage system begins with a pre-filtration spin-down filter that captures sediment and larger debris, which can be easily cleared by opening the valve to release accumulated material. Next, a 5-micron filter removes finer particles such as dirt, sand, silt, clay, and rust. An AIO iron filter then reduces iron, manganese, and sulfur, addressing issues like red and black staining and rotten egg odors.

In the fourth stage, a premium carbon filter targets VOCs, insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, and other impurities that affect water taste and odor. The system also features a salt-based water softener that uses ion exchange to remove hard water minerals. As water passes through resin beads coated in sodium ions, calcium and magnesium are swapped out, effectively softening the water. Finally, a UV system eliminates up to 99.99% of microorganisms, ensuring your water is safe and clean.

Shop Our Whole House Iron/Carbon Filter/Salt-Based Water Softener with UV

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We also offer a Whole House Iron/Carbon Filter/Salt-Free Water Softener with UV; this system is identical to the Whole House Iron/Carbon Filter/Salt-Based Water Softener with UV except it uses a salt-free softener instead of a salt-based one.

The salt-free softener employs eSoft media, a cutting-edge Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) cartridge filter that conditions water without reducing calcium and magnesium minerals. Instead, this system physically transforms these minerals, causing calcium and magnesium ions to form harmless microcrystals which are released back into the water. This process prevents future scale buildup while actively descaling existing hard water deposits. 

Unlike traditional softeners, this salt-free system does not introduce sodium into your water, and your water’s hardness level remains consistent before and after installation. It’s an eco-friendly and maintenance-free alternative for homeowners with slightly or moderately hard water seeking to condition their water while retaining its natural mineral content. 

Shop Our Whole House Iron/Carbon Filter/Salt-Free Water Softener with UV

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For homeowners who don’t have high iron content in the water from their wells, we offer a Whole House Water Filter/Salt-Based Softener Combo with UV and Whole House Water Filter/Salt-Free Softener Combo with UV systems. These whole house filters provide similar purification but do not include the AIO iron filter. Customers can also choose between a salt-based or salt-free conditioner depending on their preferences.

•  Shop Our Whole House Water Filter/Salt-Based Softener Combo with UV 
• Shop Our Whole House Water Filter/Salt-Free Softener Combo with UV

If you’re unsure which well water filtration system is right for the contaminants in your water, reach out to our team of friendly filtration specialists. We’ll work with you to find the best solution for your home’s water. 

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