Don't think it's the well because the bathroom sink doesn't smell like dirt, just the kitchen. Soaked the faucet head in vinegar for 5 min and it still smells. It's harmless since the water tastes fine and doesn't leave a smell on dishware but it's just weird. Anyone know what might be up? Google says it could be an algae bloom in the well itself.
Water tastes fine, it just for some reason has an earthy smell in the kitchen.
@Feinsteins_Ghost@hexbear.net would probably have a better guess than me.
Silly, but, stick your head over the kitchen sink drain and sniff. Does it smell earthy there? If you fill a container with water and smell just the water, is that what smells? Like the actual water?
Does it smell more when you use hot versus cold, or vice versa? Smell about the same either way? Do you have a disposal in the sink?
No disposal, it smelled when I was using the hot water.
Shooting from the hip, algae bloom. If youre in an area with high iron content, drawing from a well, and it’s predominantly hot side, id bet its algae.
This can be treated at the water heater with 3% peroxide, and changing the anode rod. Most anodes are magnesium, and magnesium anodes usually give you a sulphury/rotten egg smell, but they can also cause the iron oxidizing bacteria to go nuts, and thise give you an earthy odor. The bacteria are in the whole sustem, but being in the water heater is an ideal condition for growth.
There are a ton of videos on YT on how to treat the water heater, and how to change an anode rod. Its not hard to change the anode, but youre likely to need a damn rattle gun to get the anode rod loose. Some of them can be a real MFer to crack loose. Of for some reason you do, go back with aluminum instead of magnesium. Be wary, messing with the water heater is simple, but sometimes, especially when dealing with an older water heater, cracking open fittings can sometimes cause more problems than it solves.
Id also maybe keep in mind having someone come look at your water well, and consider treating the well with chlorine to kill off the bacteria responsible.
Out of curiosity, how deep is the well, how much does it produce, what depth is the pump set at?
No clue I'd have to ask my dad, but thanks for the response. I'll tell him all this when I see him.