Well Water Smells Like Sewage? Here Are 4 Possible Causes (And How to Fix Them)
Don’t panic—here’s how to take the smell out of your well
Highlights
There are several reasons that your well water might smell like sewage.
Common culprits are bacteria growth in your drain, groundwater, or water heater.
In more serious cases, broken or overflowing septic tanks can push sewage into the water.
You can clear backed-up drains yourself, but you should call a pro for the rest.
You never want to smell sewage anywhere in your house, but especially not coming out of your taps. So, what do you do if that happens? First, you’ll want to figure out what’s causing it—which may require the help of a professional. Below, we’ll give four of the most common reasons that your well water smells like sewage, with tips on how to fix it.
What Is Well Water?
If you have a well water system, it means that you have a private water source on your property. Instead of relying on city water, your home has a deep underground hole (called a well), which fills up with groundwater. Water leaves the well through a pump whenever you turn on your kitchen sink, run a bath, or do anything else that requires water.
Well water systems are common in rural areas or places that don’t have access to public water from the city. If you have well water, testing and monitoring the water quality is your responsibility. It’s also your job to fix any issues—without the help of your local municipality.
1. Bacteria in Your Drain
Sometimes, when your well water smells like sewage, it isn’t actually a problem with your water at all. Instead, it could be due to a buildup of things like hair, grease, soap, and food in your drain, all of which can attract odor-producing bacteria.
Fortunately, you can often fix a smelly drain with just a few household products—and without the help of a pro. It’s also important to clean your drains regularly to prevent more severe clogs or backups in the future.
2. Bacteria in Your Groundwater or Well
The presence of bacteria within your water source is another potential reason that your water smells like sewage. Both sulfur bacteria and iron (manganese) bacteria can naturally grow in your groundwater, creating an unpleasant stench that smells like rotten eggs.
If this is the issue, you might notice that your water smells even stronger after you haven’t used it for a while. To test this, shut off your water for six hours. Then, fill up your sink with a few inches of cold water and give it a whiff. Do you get a strong sulfur smell? You might have pinpointed the problem—but the only way to be sure is by hiring an expert to test your water quality.
Depending on the exact issue, the pro might recommend installing a carbon filter, treating the water with a chlorine solution, or drilling a new well. If ignored, this type of bacteria can create slime that clogs your well system.
3. Bacteria in Your Hot Water Heater
Do you only smell sewage when you use hot water? If so, you might have bacteria inside your water heater. Several factors can cause bacteria to grow in your heater, including if the temperature is too low or if you haven’t used hot water in a while.
You should reach out to a plumber to deal with any problems related to your water heater. If they find bacteria, they might try a few different things to get rid of it, including cranking up the water temperature, treating and flushing the water heater, or replacing the anode rod.
4. Sewage in Your Water
In certain cases, you might actually have sewage in your well water—which not only makes it smell and taste bad but can also make you sick. Sewage can seep into your water in several ways, including if your septic tank or drain field is too close to your well water system. A leaky, overflowing, or cracked septic tank can also force waste into your water.
If you suspect that you have sewage in your well water, stop using the water and call a septic system expert ASAP. Once they figure out the cause, they may decide to shock the well or repair or replace your septic system. If you need one, the average septic system cost is between $3,460 and $11,360.
Going forward, make sure to pump your septic tank every three to five years so it doesn’t spill out into your soil or well.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
You may be able to handle a stinky well water problem without professional help, depending on what’s causing it. For example, if your water smells bad because of a gunk-filled drain, that’s something you can troubleshoot on your own. However, if there’s an issue with your septic tank or water heater, that’s when it’s time to call in a local sewer line repair company or plumber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Running water may get rid of a sulfur smell temporarily, but it isn’t a long-term solution. If your taps smell like sulfur, take a look at some of the potential causes we’ve outlined above. Depending on what’s going on, you might need to contact a pro to identify and fix the issue.
Yes, you can shock a well yourself, but it can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. We recommend calling a pro, but if you decide to do it yourself, make sure to follow proper safety precautions. This means wearing the correct safety gear, such as rubber gloves, goggles, and boots. You should also mix the chlorine solution in an open area with plenty of ventilation. Also, make sure not to drink or use the water for a few days afterward, until you’ve flushed the system and retested the water.