Project of a different kind, (accepting suggestions)

Fishguy · Oct 12, 2006

I am on a mission to find a way to rid our well water of it's terrible odor. We live near a lot of swamp and this stuff smells just as bad as the swap does after a big rain.
In doing a lot of research, I have tried about all the suggestions short of moving.
The first attempt was a water softener, no help.
Then I removed the anode rod from the water heater, no help.
Next was a $500 "Big Blue" filtering system. This worked for a couple of weeks.
Replaced the element at $75 a pop, and it lasted about the same length of time.
Just last night I installed a "special" $85 aluminum/zinc anode back into the water heater in hopes of a cure.
Connecting to county water is not an option. We can get bottled water but I refuse to heat it up and pour it over the bride for her shower. (although that could be fun)
I spoke with the guy that drilled our well to see how deep he went, he said that in my area the "typical" well is 50-60 feet. I asked him if that was deep enough to get past the ground water level and his reply was if he went any deeper then he would hit salt water. This makes no sense to me!

What I'm asking is HEEELLLP! This free well water is driving me to the poor house!!

What have you all done? Again we are about 10 miles, as the crow or gull flies, from the ocean on low flat land.

Steve

Soundguy · Oct 12, 2006

If it's iron or sulfur.. then carbon filtration is going to be about the only soloution...

Soundguy

slowrev · Oct 12, 2006

Soundguy,
I would hook up a couple of the Omni whole house water filters in series using the charcoal filters. You will have to change them about once a month but they are about $10 ea so not really bad on the cost. I think you are right , charcoal is your only hope.
Ben

jwnge · Oct 12, 2006

We rented one of these filters when our water was terribly smelly, it was somewhat messy when cleaning and adding the chemicals but it did take care of the smell. MANGANESE GREENSAND FILTER Iron, Sulfur and Manganese are oxidized and precipitated by contact with the media. The filter media is periodically regenerated automatically, by introducing potassium permanganate to the media, and the trapped minerals are backwashed out the drain..

Willl · Oct 12, 2006

Reverse osmosis ?

schmism · Oct 12, 2006

RO only works for POS (point of service) ie drinking water, and the ice maker.

a system that is big enough to supply a whole house supply would cost MAJOR $$

have your water tested. it will tell you what is IN your water that is causeing the smell. Generally sulfer can only be filterd, not "Treated" with salt type softeners.

So another vote for whole house charcole filters that will need reg changing.

To avoid lots of filter changes.... consider a multi staged approch.

put the whole house charcole filter JUST on the shower. Put the RO system in for drinking water and ice maker. A softerner for everything else and you should be fine.

else get used to it. (which is what my uncle did)

Willl · Oct 12, 2006

The only RO systems I've seen were 'whole house' sized. Go figure.

I've got 3 of those Omni filters on my well, coarse, fine and then the charcoal.

Never had a sulfur problem, mines more metallic/iron.

Fishguy · Oct 12, 2006

Soundguy said:
If it's iron or sulfur.. then carbon filtration is going to be about the only soloution...

The "Big Blue" filter is a whole house charcoal filter it just doesn't seam to last long enough IMHO. We also have the RO system that is under the kitchen sink for cooking and coffee.

Has anybody tried to "shock" their wells and did it work?

Steve

Farwell · Oct 13, 2006

I have shocked my well a couple of times. If you do it, make sure you by- pass your water softener because the chlorine will destroy the resin. I have an iron problem. The shock lasts for a while. I drink bottled water and have adjusted to the smell when taking a shower.
My well starts stinking when I do not use much water for a week or so. I use a whole house filter and have found that if I do not change it frequently the stink shows up.
There are several sites on the Internet that will guide you through the shock process if you are not familiar with it.
Farwell

Dirthog · Oct 13, 2006

check and see how far down your well is cased it it's not far enough or not sealed you will get ground water in well and you never will be able to clean it up