Well Water Smells, Looks or Tastes Bad? Problems by Symptom
Short answer: a change in smell, color or taste is a reason to test. The EPA says to test your well when you notice a change in taste, color or odor. Many of the most harmful contaminants (bacteria, arsenic, nitrate) have no smell or taste at all, so a lab test is the only way to know.
Well water smells like sulfur or rotten eggs
A rotten-egg smell usually comes from hydrogen sulfide. If only the hot water smells, the water heater may be the cause. See rotten egg smell in well water. The EPA lists "rotten-egg", musty or chemical smells under its odor guideline.
Brown, orange or red well water
The EPA links iron to rusty color, sediment, metallic taste and reddish or orange staining, and manganese to black to brown color and black staining. See iron and manganese. Muddy brown water right after heavy rain or a flood can mean surface water is getting in: test for bacteria.
Black specks in well water
Black specks or black staining are commonly linked to manganese (EPA lists black staining for manganese). A lab test for iron and manganese tells you what you have. Also check filters and the water heater.
Cloudy well water
Cloudiness can come from sediment or air. After an earthquake or well work, sediment can make water cloudy for hours or days (Alaska DEC). If it doesn't clear, or appears after rain or flooding, test for bacteria and turbidity. See well water after a disaster.
Well water tastes bad
EPA's table: salty taste can come from chloride, sulfate or high total dissolved solids; metallic taste from iron, manganese, copper, zinc or low pH (corrosive water). See low pH, TDS and road salt.
Is my well water making me sick?
We can't tell you that, and neither can the water's look or taste. If you have stomach illness and use a well, talk to a doctor, switch to bottled water, and test for total coliform and E. coli at a certified lab. Your local health department can help. See coliform bacteria.
Sources
- EPA: Secondary drinking water standards (taste, color, odor)
- EPA: Protect your home's water
- Penn State Extension: Hydrogen sulfide in wells
- Alaska DEC: Earthquake recovery for homeowners
Questions
Why does my well water smell like sulfur?
Usually hydrogen sulfide. If only hot water smells, the water heater may be the cause. EPA says to test when smell, taste or color changes.
Why is my well water brown?
EPA links iron to rusty color and sediment and manganese to black to brown color. Brown water after rain or flooding can mean surface water is getting in, so test for bacteria.
Can well water make me sick if it looks fine?
Yes. Bacteria, nitrate and arsenic have no taste or smell. Only a lab test can tell you; see a doctor if you are ill.
Free well water safety checklist
15 family-friendly steps based on CDC and EPA guidance. Print it, keep it on the fridge, and know when to call a certified lab.
More guides
- How Much Does Well Water Testing Cost? Real Lab PricesReal published prices from public labs, free programs, and the EPA-approved-lab myth.
- Testing Tap, Spring, Lake, River or Pond WaterTap, spring, lake, river and pond water: where to test, and why pools and aquariums are different.
- Well Water After a Flood, Hurricane, Wildfire or EarthquakeDon't drink it until it's tested: disaster-by-disaster testing steps from CDC, EPA and Health Canada.
- Flood Protection for Well Owners: Before, During and After a FloodRaise and seal the wellhead, know your pump shutoff, then disinfect and test with a certified lab after any flood.