The Investigator Series #2: Lake Home with Hidden Water Problems
A long-time customer moved into a lakefront home and immediately encountered water problems: coliform bacteria, discolored water, rusty water, hard water, and terrible-smelling water. This is how we investigated—and fixed—the real water problems. Listen to the customer, perform a proper water analysis, a complete system diagnosis, and recommend the correct water treatment solutions.
The Call: “Our Water Is a Mess”
Even before closing, the well had tested positive for coliform bacteria. The seller had a well contractor shock-chlorinate the system, flush the well afterwards, and a well water re-test for bacteria cleared the sale. But once remodeling began, the homeowners discovered the water was hard, rusty, discolored, and had a strange odor.
The customer called the original water treatment company out to inspect the system. They recommended a water softener valve rebuild and replacing the waterlogged pressure tank. One of those items was true—the well tank was shot—but the rest felt rushed. The customers were very suspicious of what the technician did and what the company recommended. No questions were asked of the customer. No water testing was done on site, nor was there a recommendation to send a water sample out for independent testing to confirm their recommendation.
First Principle: Listen Before You Diagnose
The most important step in any water investigation is simple: listen to the customer. Let them describe symptoms in their own words and ask targeted follow-up questions. You’ll often hear the clues you need to develop a test plan, avoid dead ends, solve the problems they actually care about, and resolve problems customers may not be aware of.
On-Site Investigation
I performed an on-site water analysis and recommended a treatment plan within an hour, then sent water samples to an independent water testing lab for validation before moving forward with the recommended water treatment system. The findings:
- Tannins present, consistent with the neighborhood’s water profile.
- Iron: 9 ppm total, with approximately 2 ppm ferric iron (oxidized).
- Hard water, effectively untreated due to failed equipment.
- Resin damage in both the water softener and tannin filtration system: during the well shock chlorination, the water treatment system was not bypassed by the well contractor, and the high chlorine level ruined the softening resin and tannin resin.
- Iron-fouled resin. The water softening resin and tannin resin had long been fouled out by very high ferrous iron (9ppm) and lower levels of ferric iron.
- Waterlogged well pressure tank. This caused oxidized iron to foul out the water softener and tannin removal system long before the well was shock chlorinated.
- The terrible odor was due to the tannin resin being destroyed by high chlorine levels, causing a foul, fishy chemical odor.
The Permanent Fix
We recommended and implemented the solutions that directly address each problem with the water treatment equipment and water chemistry issues:
- New pressure tank, switch, and gauge to replace the waterlogged unit.
- Replumbing of the entire water treatment system due to the plumbing being fouled with oxidized iron.
- Clack 13x54 Aeration Iron Filtration system to manage the 9ppm of iron (including oxidized iron) ahead of the water softener and tannin filtration system.
- Clack 10x54 Water Softener for the 22 gpg of hard water removal and efficient, consistent performance for a family of two with regular lake-living weekend guests.
- Re-bedded the tannin unit with fresh resin suited for the tannin levels and rebuilt the tannin system control valve.
This water treatment solution resolved all the previous water problems and provided the customers with the quality of water they wanted and expected. Needless to say, they are happy with the quality of their water, and it's the appropriate system to accommodate the guests who come with Lake Living. I also put them on a semi-annual, spring and fall, service program for seasonal testing of the well water and preventative maintenance of the water treatment system. To ensure their investment lasts for many years to come, and the water quality stays up to the high standards every homeowner expects and deserves.
Water Systems Council - What are Tannins in Well Water
Water Right - Water Treatment Solutions
Water-Right - Iron In Your Home’s Water | Different Types and Treatment Solutions
Pentair WellMate - Composite Pressure Tanks for Well Water tanks
The Investigator’s Takeaway
Water treatment isn’t just guesswork—it’s an investigation. Listen first, test thoroughly, validate, provide the proper water treatment solutions, support the products and customers. That’s how you avoid expensive guesswork, deliver water that’s safe, clean, reliable, worry-free for the entire family, and have trusting customers.
I wish you Good days and Good water!
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Thank you, Ray