Mystery well water smell and taste

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tyclo43

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I recently (beginning of 2010) had my well re-drilled from 382' to 750', hitting approx 7 GPM at 725', with a SWL of 200' below the surface. The original well yield was approximately 10 gallons per hour, which was basically useless for more than two people. The geology is a hard diabase, being uniform the whole way down.

I installed a 1HP Franklin at 400' below the surface, and the water system seems to work fine. While drilling, I noticed that some of the drillings had what I would call a "moldy/slightly petroleum" smell to them. After we drilled and had the pump installed, the water developed this smell/taste. I had a lab test done for coliform and nitrates, which was good, and had Sears run a hardness (9 grains, but no problem with lather), clear iron (didn't show as containing any), and pH (7).

I've smelled sulphur water many times in my life, and this doesn't have that same smell. I suspected iron bacteria, but after the clear iron test and due to the fact that I don't have any red staining (my water is also as crystal clear as can be), I think this could be ruled out.

About 1 week after the smell began, I dropped about 15 calcium hypochlorite tablets in the well, and this took the smell and taste away for about one week, with it then coming back. I then shock treated the well (concentration approx. 300 PPM) for approx. 24 hours, and the smell and taste came back in about two weeks. While draining the shocked water, I would see small clumps of black "slimy" matter here and there.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be, and if so, what type of recommended equipment could be used to treat it? Thanks for any information.
-Tyson
 

NHmaster

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The black slimy stuff leads me to believe you have iron bacteria which can be treated either by chlorine injection or Hydrogen Peroxide.
 

ferd

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I guess I just don't get it. You had 10gpm of good water and that wasn't enough? Around here, we have 5gpm and like it. You learn what you can do and what you can't. But my well is only157' deep with water @ 50'
 

tyclo43

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If it would have been 10 gpm, I wouldn't have done a thing...it was 10 gph, which roughly equates to 1.5 pints (1/6th of a gallon) per minute. I had a 300 gallon storage tank inline to provide for peak usage, but with a baby on the way and probably expecting more, 240 gallons per day was not enough, and I figured I would drill deeper. My elevation is around 700 feet above MSL.

Woudn't that be great, to hit some bubblin' gold! Unfortunately, I'm not in the Marcellus Shale (I'm just south of Harrisburg, PA) that they have in the northern part of the state, where they've found natural gas at great depths below the surface. After discussing it with some people I work with (civil engineers), I'm leaning more toward the iron bacteria problem. The toilet bowl test for iron bacteria is N/A with me because my wife has chlorine tablets in the bowl.

Thanks for everyone's input on this so far.
 

tyclo43

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What is the best test for iron bacteria? Researching online, it appears that the toilet bowl reservoir "observation" test is best. Could you recommend one?
 

NHmaster

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What is the best test for iron bacteria? Researching online, it appears that the toilet bowl reservoir "observation" test is best. Could you recommend one?

Strange though it may sound, the old toilet tank test is about the most accurate method to date.
 

Texas Wellman

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It won't cure the problem, but it might help the symptom to switch to a galvanized pressure tank. Sometimes the bladder tanks can amplify smells etc. I've had to switch out more than a few, no more complaints.
 

Bob999

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When you have your additional testing done be sure to include a test for manganese. It is common in Pennsylvania and can manifest with the characteristics you describe.
 
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