2 Common Causes of Oily Well Water

Well water is popular in rural areas, and thousands of homes across the country have to deal with well water. For the most part, it's easy to keep up with. Sometimes things can go wrong, and attention is needed. If you notice an oily appearance, smell, or flavor to your water there are a few things you can check.

Excess Iron Bacteria

Iron bacteria is most common in the northern regions, but it can be found anywhere. If a well was drilled too close to a lake or pond that isn't treated you will more than likely end up with this problem at some point. This can be corrected by using a variety of chemicals or removing the iron bacteria infected pipes around the well. It's a big undertaking, but is simple for a professional.

Bad Pump

Another common reason for oily well water is a worn out well pump. Since many (but not all) well pumps use a hydraulic system to operate, a broken pump can cause oil to seep in to the water supply. The only way to remedy this is to replace the pump and remove the oil from the existing water supply. This is also something that a professional can easily do, and it really should be done sooner rather than later.