Common Well Water Contaminants in Our Area & Treatment Solutions
- Wedaman & Richardson
- Oct 20, 2025
- 2 min read
Why Well Water Quality Matters in South Carolina
If your home relies on a private well, you’re responsible for testing and maintaining your water supply. While well water is often fresh and naturally filtered, it can also pick up contaminants from soil, rock layers, or nearby activities. Knowing what to test for—and how to treat problems—protects your family’s health and keeps your plumbing in top shape.
Common Well Water Contaminants in Our Region
1. Iron and Manganese
How it shows up: Rusty or black stains on sinks, metallic taste, orange tint in laundry.
Why it matters: Not usually a health risk, but damages fixtures and appliances.
Treatment: Iron filters, oxidation systems, or water softeners.
2. Hard Water Minerals (Calcium & Magnesium)
Signs: Soap scum, scale build-up in pipes and water heaters, dry skin.
Solution: Whole-house water softener or conditioning system.
3. Bacteria (Coliform & E. coli)
Source: Surface water intrusion or failing well seals.
Health risk: Gastrointestinal illness.
Treatment: Shock chlorination, UV disinfection, and ongoing sanitary well maintenance.
4. Nitrates & Nitrites
Source: Fertilizer runoff, septic systems.
Health risk: Dangerous for infants (“blue baby syndrome”) and pregnant women.
Treatment: Reverse osmosis or ion exchange systems.
5. Hydrogen Sulfide
Signs: Rotten-egg odor, corroded pipes, black stains on fixtures.
Solution: Aeration or activated carbon filtration.
6. Pesticides & Herbicides
Source: Agricultural activities.
Health risk: Long-term exposure can affect liver, kidney, and nervous systems.
Treatment: Activated carbon filtration or reverse osmosis.
Testing Your Well Water: The First Step
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) recommends annual testing for bacteria, nitrates, and any local contaminants. A professional water test provides a full report on pH, hardness, and specific pollutants so you can choose the right treatment.
Treatment Solutions We Recommend
Whole-House Filtration Systems – For iron, sediment, and general water polishing.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Units – Ideal for nitrates, pesticides, and many dissolved solids.
UV Disinfection – Chemical-free protection against bacteria and viruses.
Water Softeners – Remove hardness minerals that damage pipes and appliances.
Wedaman & Richardson offers customized solutions, from installation to maintenance, so your system is tailored to your home and water test results. Click here to read a full list of our services.
Protect Your Family’s Water Quality
Don’t wait until you see stains or smell odors. Schedule a professional well water test and consultation today. We serve Pomaria, Newberry, Chapin, Little Mountain, and surrounding South Carolina communities with expert well pump and water treatment services.