Everyone wants clean water for their family to drink right? Unfortunately, there are many nasty things that can be in your water and can go undetected. Some things like the nasty rotten egg smell of sulfur in your water are easy to detect, others not so much. Detection of Coliform Bacteria requires testing.
A lot of wells are in rural areas. Run off from agriculture operations or industrial sites can sometimes leach into your water. We can run tests to be certain your water is safe. The DEQ and Oregon Health Authority recommends that you test your well water once a year. Click the link for more information
Ultraviolet light has a long and well-proven history in water treatment and is rapidly gaining popularity as an effective means of inactivating microbial contaminants, including cryptosporidium, giardia, and E. coli.
In 1877, the inactivation properties of sunlight were discovered, and it was only a matter of time before people tried to apply this knowledge for practical use. In 1903, Niels Fensen received a Nobel Prize for his use of ultraviolet light to combat tuberculosis (although not in water), and in 1910, the first drinking water treatment system opened in Marseilles, France.
Today, UV treatment is a widely accepted means of removing various microbial contaminants from water and has been installed in many major public drinking water and wastewater treatment plants worldwide.
Iron can sneak itself in your water a few different ways…
Seepage: Water from above the surface in the form of rain or melted snow travels through the soil into the well’s water supply. Along the water’s path, iron within the soil may dissolve into the water and follow it into the well.
Corrosion: Remember as a kid when you accidently left your bike outside in the rain and woke up to find it a rusty mess? Something similar can occur within your well causing iron to enter the water. The casings and pipes leading to and from the well are likely made of iron. When they are exposed to water and oxygen the iron can begin to deteriorate, causing the iron to oxidize, and form the natural by-product rust. As water travels through the pipes the rust flakes off into the water supply and subsequently into your tap and appliances.
Most commonly iron in our water wells show up in two different forms…
Ferric Iron “Red-Water Iron”: That lovely orangey-red water mentioned in the beginning of this article, is Ferric Iron. Ferric Iron is clear well water that has been exposed to oxygen, oxidized forming visible rust, giving the water a reddish color.
Ferrous Iron “Clear-Water Iron”: This form of iron cannot be seen in the water because it is soluble, or can be dissolved in water. Ferrous Iron often comes from deeper wells or water sources.
If you have concerns about iron in your water supply, while it can be damaging to your water system and appliances, serious effects on your health are unlikely. Iron is an essential component of the human diet for proper function and it is highly improbable that you would consume a toxic amount solely through drinking water.
However, excessive iron in water may have negative effects on your hair and skin. Well water often contains high levels of iron and other minerals. Once absorbed by your hair, these contaminants will cause your hair to develop a darker discoloration and become dry, brittle, and have an awful metallic odor. Heavy amounts of iron will tint light-colored hair orange and cause dark hair to become darker with red highlights. In addition, oxidized iron actually functions similarly to how a mild peroxide attacks the hair. It may cause an excessive dry feeling in your hair and could even change your hair’s visible texture. In regard to your skin, iron can damage skin cells which may lead to wrinkles. In addition, dissolved minerals such as iron and magnesium will cause excessive soap scum residue, clogging your pores, and leaving you with unattractive skin problems such as acne or eczema.
There may not be any consequences to your health from the iron present in your well water but your appliances, dishes, laundry, and food will definitely pay the price.
Stains and Slime: One of the annoying repercussions of iron in well water are the stains it leaves behind on your laundry, dishes, sinks, and bathtubs which are nearly impossible to remove. The stain will appear in a red, yellow, or brown color making all of those items look gross and unsanitary no matter how hard you try to clean them.
Clogged Pipes: Sometimes when rust particles and iron fragments travel through your water supply they stop for extended periods of time. Once stagnant, the iron is able to accumulate inside the pipes of your water supply system as well as your appliances. This can result in the need for expensive repairs in your dishwashers, washing machines, sprinklers, and other water-related appliances.
Foul Taste and Smell: If you are trying to impress your date or spouse with your culinary talents make sure you address the iron problem first. Iron in water will make even your best dishes and drinks have a disgusting metallic taste and a repulsive dark black color. This problem is especially prevalent with vegetables and other foods cooked in water.
If you own a home or property with a private well, maintaining well water purity is essential for your health, your plumbing, and your peace of mind.
At 5E Pump & Well Service, we help homeowners in Philomath, Oregon, understand and manage common water quality issues through comprehensive well water testing and proven treatment solutions. From harmful bacteria to iron contamination, we provide clear answers and trusted fixes.
Many private wells in Oregon provide clean, dependable water, but without routine testing, there’s no way to guarantee your water is safe. Contaminants can enter your system without warning, leading to health risks and costly damage.
Common issues found in untreated well water include:
Understanding the water purity basics and scheduling regular testing is the first step toward protecting your home, your health, and your well water system.
Routine well water testing is the only way to confidently identify contaminants in your drinking water. At 5E Pump & Well Service, we provide water purity testing in Philomath, Oregon, designed to detect bacteria, iron, nitrates, and other common well water issues. We recommend testing at least once per year, or immediately after flooding, plumbing repairs, or if you notice changes in water quality.
Our tests include on-site sampling, lab analysis, and a clear explanation of your results. We don’t just tell you what’s wrong; we offer practical, effective well solutions based on your well’s unique condition.
If your water test shows high iron levels or bacterial contamination, we’ll design a water treatment system that restores your well’s purity. For iron removal, we install filtration systems that eliminate staining, odor, and metallic taste without overcomplicating your setup. When it comes to treating bacteria in well water, our preferred method is UV disinfection because it is a safe, chemical-free technology that destroys pathogens with powerful ultraviolet light.
Our team handles everything from equipment selection and sizing to full pump installation and integration with your existing well and pump system. These water well treatment solutions are long-lasting, low-maintenance, and tailored to your home’s specific needs.
As long-standing members of the Philomath, Oregon, community, we understand the local groundwater challenges better than anyone. Our decades of experience in well water testing, well drilling, and treatment allow us to deliver accurate answers and reliable results. We care about your water as much as you do, and we’ll work with you every step of the way to make sure it’s safe, clean, and flowing properly.
Don’t leave your water quality to chance. Contact 5E Pump & Well Service to schedule well water testing or to learn more about our UV disinfection and iron removal services.
At 5E Pump & Well Service, we’re your trusted local water system
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