Well water should always be transparent and clear. If it is ever cloudy, discolored, including brown or yellow, you should test it. If your well water contains any dangerous chemicals or germs, refrain from drinking it until it has been properly treated to remove these harmful agents. It’s suggested to contact a professional well water contractor or your local health department for tips on how to treat the water. Once the water has been treated to remove germs or chemicals, it will be safe to consume.
Why Is My Well Water Brown All Of A Sudden?
If your well water suddenly changes color, stop using the water for cooking or drinking immediately. It’s always important to refrain from consuming any water that has undergone a color change. A change of color can indicate the presence of contaminants.
Next, it’s suggested to reach out to your local health department to report this issue and seek guidance on how to proceed safely. The health department should be able to give you specific instructions based on your location and the detailed color change of the water.
Try collecting a sample of your water from the well to diagnose the cause of the brown coloring. Always make sure to follow the proper procedures for the most accurate results. Instead of doing this task yourself, you may want to contact a professional well testing service or a certified laboratory to analyze the sample.
They can provide you with detailed information regarding any present contaminants and inform you of the best treatment options. Immediately addressing any well water changes is crucial toward ensuring both the safety and quality of your drinking water.
Causes Of Brown Well Water
Let’s take a look at a few of the most common reasons why your well water turned brown and what you can do to solve this issue.
| Brown Well Water Cause | Solution |
| Dirt and debris present in the well. | Get a sediment filter or tannin removal system with a water softener. |
| Rusty pipes. | Replace the piping altogether. |
| Septic tank is too close to your well, resulting in runoff. | Change the location of your well. |
| Iron bacteria buildup. | Shock the well or use a chemical injection system. |
How To Treat Your Well Water
Most people will treat well water to remove germs or chemicals, take extra precautions against potential diseases, and ultimately improve the taste of water. Here are a few ways below to test your well water to ensure it’s safe to drink.
Home Water Treatment Systems
It’s worth considering investing in a home water treatment system in order to remove germs or chemicals from your well water. These systems typically treat the water by filtering it, disinfecting it, or distilling it. No single treatment type can protect against each and every issue.
When investing in a home water treatment system, make sure to check that the system will be able to remove either the type of germ or chemical you are concerned about.
Emergency Situations
Whenever the well water is contaminated, you must treat it, then test it again before drinking. In the event that you have no access to other water sources, always boil the well water prior to drinking it. Boiling water can kill germs.
Always follow boil water advisory guidelines to reduce your chance of becoming ill from consumption. If your water is contaminated with chemicals, never drink or use the water for any purpose. Drinking or even having any contact with contaminated water can be very dangerous. Boiling the water will not remove chemicals.
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